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Stanley Earnshaw (or Stan, but affectionately called ‘Scotty’) was born in Tasmania to Charles David and Lily Florence Earnshaw Scott on the 12th April 1919. His second name, Earnshaw, was in honour of his mother’s family. (From a later write up in the Port Lincoln Times, in Memorium notices and a cenotaph erected by the family, it is probable that Stan ‘added’ a year to his enlistment age and was born in 1920, celebrating his 21st in the Middle East just months prior to his death.) Scotty had two brothers, Charles and George (who also carried his mother’s name, Earnshaw) and a sister Eve.
The family moved to South Australia where Stan attended Flinders Street Primary School. Later, the family moved to live in Port Lincoln with Stan finding work as a labourer at the Freezing Works where he met and became firm friends with Bill Barwick with both playing football for the local Kirton Football team. (Stan also developed a distinctive collection of tattoos on each arm and an eagle on his chest.)
With the outbreak of WWII, Stan’s older brother, 22-year-old George Earnshaw, an unemployed salesman, was an early enlistee on the 27th November ’36 as SX1150 serving with the 2/10th Battalion. Despite sustaining a gunshot wound to his foot May ’41 he survived the war and was discharged as a Sergeant in July ’45.
On the West Coast and other country areas, a huge campaign was rolled out by the AIF with the aim of attracting fit young, single men to enlist. There was a rush of A.I.F. recruits to the depots opened at Cowell, Minnipa, Wudinna, Port Lincoln and Streaky Bay in June ‘40. 20 had enlisted the week before the 21-year-olds Stan and Bill Barwick, were two of the 26 locals who enlisted. They were officially accepted on the 2nd July ‘1940. becoming SX7536 and SX7547 respectively. Fellow young men from Port Lincoln who enlisted with them and were allocated to the same 2/48th Battalion included William Frederick Owen SX7628, and Verdun Curnow SX7550. Roland Hood SX7548 and Max Richardson SX7532, from Elliston was also part of the group with all four being placed in the newly formed 2/48th Battalion. (Verdun and Max were later taken as prisoners, but remarkably, Max escaped across the Swiss Alps.)
Others from Port Lincoln were allocated to different Battalions: William George Marks SX7523 and Ronald Holroyd Wilkinson SX7519 in the sister battalion, the 2/43rd, Colin Charles Snashall SX8243 and Thomas Wattle Hammond S157. The group travelled together to Adelaide on the ship ‘Minnipa’. From the delightful Streaky Bay environment, Stan and Bill spent their early days in the close confines and cold of the Pavilions, now part of the Royal Adelaide Showgrounds. Stan developed a sebaceous cyst for which he was treated before he and other new enlistees headed to Woodside for their preliminary training. This area was not a particularly popular winter camp, because of the severe cold and wet, however the enlistees generally enjoyed the life and looked forward to commencing the next phase of their training.
Back home on pre-embarkation leave, Bill Barwick’s parents Frank and Emily organised a social evening at their home at the end of October for Bill and Stan. Music, singing, dancing and the inevitable dainty supper were highlights.
Following leave, the 2/48th contingent embarked on the Stratheden for the Middle East, on the 7th November 1940, arriving on the 17th December 1940. Their 2/48th Battalion completed a few months training in Cyrenaica before moving to Tobruk at the start of April 1941 where the dust, flies, heat, minimal water supplies and constant bombardment were quite a challenge to these fresh new enlistees. They were to become the famed Rats of Tobruk, a title designed to be derogatory but one worn with pride.
Coincidentally, in Dimra, Stan and Bill were both charged with Conduct Prejudice of Good Order and confined to barracks for five days – certainly not how they expected to ‘explore’ this new country.
Typical of country communities, local papers regularly published letters from those serving. The West Coast Recorder was particularly adept at sharing letters written home to family and friends. Max Richardson wrote from Palestine to his Port Lincoln based sister sharing in March ‘41 that “All the things that I have seen on the trip over and around here have been an eye-opener to me. Our camping quarters are excellent and the meals are first-class. We (Bill Barwick and "Scotty") had four days' leave recently and went to a rodeo. We are keeping well. There is always plenty to do and plenty of things to see and enjoy when we have the time off.” However daily routine was quite different to what was often written in letters back home.
Whilst still in Dimra, in June ’41 Stan was financially fined for his behaviour ‘conduct to the prejudice of good order and military discipline’. This appeared to coincide with Bill being wounded with gunshots to his left leg, arm and right thigh. Soon after Stan was killed in action in Libya on the 1st August ’41 officially just two months after his 22nd birthday (but in reality he had just turned 21). The battalion was in the Salient, where John Glenn in Tobruk to Tarakan described as ‘The days were hot, with a wind like the breath of a furnace, and the nights were bathed in the light of a full moon, curtailing the movement of the Salient men and presenting the ration parties with the difficult task of getting a meal up, with the gaps in the minefields covered by the enemy fixed lines of fire.’ The men were under intense fire from long burst from Spandau with the front half obscured by dust and smoke. ‘Long bursts spread from post to post to be joined by artillery and mortar fire from both sides, until the front was half obscured in a pall of dust and smoke. On our first day, Private S.E. Scott and Private W.A.G. Dwyer were killed by machine gun fire and Privates Whitton and Winter were wounded by shell splinters.’
Back home the August edition of the Port Lincoln Times shared the news with the heading "We Will Remember Them" and that ‘Mr. and Mrs. C. D. Scott, of Dublin street Port Lincoln, have received word that their son, Pte. Stan E. Scott, was killed at Tobruk on August 1. The deceased was born in Tasmania but was educated at Flinders Street Primary School. His parents several years ago came to Port Lincoln, and Stan had been working at the Freezing Works, where he was popular for his cheerful disposition. He spent his 21st birthday in Tobruk. Stan was the youngest son. One of his brothers (George) is also a member of the A.I.F. Soldiers from Upper Eyre Peninsula Killed In Action.’
The Chronicle also published the names of those killed or injured with Stan. From the 2/48th Batallion these were: Killed In Action. — Pte. Stanley E. Scott, SX7536, Port Lincoln and Pte. William A. G. Dwyer, SX8869, Mypolonga. Wounded In Action; Pte. Charles J. Harding, 6X7796, Gilberton and Pte. Alexander Paterson, SX10528, Mannum.
For the soldiers who survived each encounter, every effort was made to respectfully bury their mates and where possible beautify their graves as a tribute of reverence. Lieutenant Bill Poole wrote to his parents describing how “Charlie Barwick, Ray Whait," Bill Richardson and Ross Richmond are all up here. I was down at the cemetery with the lads doing up the graves. They made an excellent job of Bill Owen's and Stan Scott's. It is blowing a terrific dust storm, so we are all well down in our dugouts writing our letters. We have just received three bundles of papers from home and have been having a good old read.”
Similarly, back home locals chose other ways to honour their young men. As a mark of esteem for Stan, a popular footballer, black armbands were worn by his Kirton football team in their August match against Marble Range.

Four years after Stan’s death, his father, Charles died in the Port Lincoln Hospital on the 17th June ’45. He was buried in the Happy Valley Cemetery at Port Lincoln in Row K Plot 19. The family also erected a cenotaph to Stan’s memory on the same site with the engraving ‘A Tribute of Honour to our dear son, SX17536 Pte Stanley E. Scott A.I.F. Who gave his life at Tobruk. 21 Aug. 1941 Aged 21.’

Stan was re-buried in the Tobruk War Cemetery in Plot 4 Row N Grave 2. The family chose the inscription ‘Peacefully Sleeps This Soldier, His Duty Nobly Done’. He now rests with others from the 2/1st , 2/12th 2/28th 2/32nd and 2/43rd and those from the A.A.S.C. 7th Australian Division killed at a similar time
West Coast families and friends continued to remember ‘Scotty’ in the ensuing years, including the Barwick family.
Port Lincoln Times Thursday 21 August 1941, KILLED IN ACTION ABROAD SCOTT— Private Stan E. killed in action abroad, on August 1. 1941, aged 21 years, dearly loved, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. C. T. Scott, of Dublin Street, Port Lincoln. His duty nobly done. SCOTT.— Private Stan E. killed in action abroad, on August 1 1941, aged 21 years, loved brother of Eve, George (A.I.F. abroad) and brother-in-law of Clarry, uncle of Myles. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, We will remember him. Chronicle Thursday 28 August 1941, SCOTT. —On the 1st of August, killed in action, Pte. Stan E. Scott, beloved son of C. D. and L. F. Scott, loved brother of Eve, Chas. and George (A.I.F. abroad); aged 21 years. Father in Thy gracious keeping, leave we now our loved one sleeping. —His duty nobly done.
Advertiser Saturday 1 August 1942, SCOTT.—In loving memory of my dear cobber, Stan (Scotty), killed in action at Tobruk, on August 1, 1941.—Always remembered by John Goodfellow, AIF returned. SCOTT.—In loving memory of my kid brother, Stan, killed at Tobruk on August 1, 1941. Sadly missed by us all. —Inserted by his loving brother, George, A.I.F., returned. SCOTT.—In memory of our pal "Scotty," killed at Tobruk on August 1, 1941. Things have changed in many ways, But one thing changes never; Memories of those happy days When we were lads together. —Ever remembered by his pals, George, Jack, Noel, and Bill (A.I.F. abroad). SCOTT.—In memory of Stan E. Scott, killed at Tobruk on August 1, 1941. Beneath the Cross of Sacrifice, Within a soldiers grave, His comrades laid him down to rest Among the honored brave. —Remembered by Chas. and Ginge. SCOTT.—In loving memory of Stan, killed in action on August 1, 1941. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember him. —Ever remembered by E. M. Barwick and girls. SCOTT.—In loving memory of Private Stan Scott, killed in action at Tobruk on August 1, 1941. Not just today, but every day, In silence we remember. —Inserted by his mother, father, sister, and brothers, Port Lincoln. SCOTT.—In loving memory of Stan Scott (Scotty), killed in action August 1, 1941. Just three words, "Forget me not," They don't sound much, but mean a lot. —Remembered by the Smith family, Exeter.
Advertiser Friday 6 August 1943, SCOTT.—In loving memory of Private Stan Scott, killed in action at Tobruk August 1 1941—Always remembered by his mother, father, sisters and brothers. Port Lincoln. Resting where no shadows fall.
Port Lincoln Times Thursday 3 August 1944, SCOTT. — In fond and loving remembrance of Stan (Scotty), killed in action on August 1, 1941. Memories are treasures no one can steal. — Ever remembered by Eve, Clarrie, Myles, mum and dad. SCOTT. — In loving memory of my old friend Stan (Scotty), killed at Tobruk, August 1, 1943. Thoughts drift back to bygone days, Life moves on, but memories stay When we were all together. His duty nobly done. — Ever remembered by his old pal Jack (A.I.F.), Darwin. Advertiser Tuesday 1 August 1944, SCOTT.—Cherished memories of Stan, killed at Tobruk. August 1. 1941. Resting where no shadows fall-—Always remembered by mother, father, sister and brothers. Port Lincoln. SCOTT—In memory of my cobber, Stan (Scotty), killed in action at Tobruk on August 8, 1941.—Ever remembered by John Goodfellow (ex-A.I.F., ret.).
Port Lincoln Times Thursday 2 August 1945, SCOTT, SX7536 Stan E. In proud and loving remembrance of Stan E. Scott, killed in action, Tobruk, August 1, 1941. There is a road called Remembrance, Where thoughts and wishes meet; We take that road in thought today To one we cannot greet. —-Ever remembered by mother, Eve, Clarrie and Myles, and George (A.I.F.). SCOTT, SX7536 Pte. S. E. A tribute of honor in memory of Stan, who gave his life at Tobruk on 1st August, 1941. — Always remembered by Mr. and Mrs. A. Sampson and family. SCOTT.— In loving memory of my pal Scotty, killed at Tobruk, August 1, 1941. Four years of sadness have passed Since sorrow upon me fell ; For ever I will feel the loss of a pal I loved so well. — Inserted by Jack (late A.I.F.).
Advertiser Wednesday 1 August 1945, SCOTT.—Cherished memories of Stan, killed at Tobruk. August 1. 1941.—Always remembered by mother, sister and brothers. Port Lincoln. Resting where no shadows fall, SCOTT.—In memory of mv cobber Stan 'Scotty killed in action. Tobruk.: ! August 8. 1941— Always remembered by his pal Johnnie Goodfellow.
Port Lincoln Times Thursday 1 August 1946, SCOTT. — In memory of our pal, 'Scotty,' killed at Tobruk on August 1, 1941. Things have changed in many ways, But one thing changes never : Memories of those happy days When we were lads together. — Ever remembered by the Barwick boys. SCOTT. — In loving memory of Stan, killed at Tobruk, August 1, 1941. Resting where no shadows fall. — Remembered today and always by mother, Eric, Clarice and Myles. Advertiser Thursday 1 August 1946, SCOTT.—In treasured memory of Stan, killed at Tobruk, August 1, 1941. Remembered today and always by mother, sister and brothers, Port Lincoln. "Resting where no shadows fall."
Advertiser Friday 1 August 1947, SCOTT. —In loving memory of Stan, Killed at Tobruk, August 1. 1941.—Remembered always by mother, sister and brothers Port Lincoln. Resting where no shadows fall.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.