Patrick (Paddy) O'LOUGHLIN

O'LOUGHLIN, Patrick

Service Number: SX7535
Enlisted: 2 July 1940, Adelaide, SA
Last Rank: Corporal
Last Unit: 2nd/48th Infantry Battalion
Born: Booleroo Centre, South Australia, Australia, 15 June 1906
Home Town: Pinnaroo, South Australia
Schooling: Christian Brothers College, Adelaide, South Australia
Occupation: Farmer
Died: Killed in Action, Egypt, 22 July 1942, aged 36 years
Cemetery: El Alamein War Cemetery
Plot XVI, Row H Grave 19.
Memorials: Adelaide WW2 Wall of Remembrance, Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Pinnaroo War Memorial
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World War 2 Service

2 Jul 1940: Involvement Corporal, SX7535
2 Jul 1940: Enlisted Adelaide, SA
2 Jul 1940: Enlisted Australian Military Forces (Army WW2), Corporal, SX7535, 2nd/48th Infantry Battalion
Date unknown: Involvement
Date unknown: Involvement 2nd/48th Infantry Battalion

‘His duty nobly done’

Patrick (Paddy) Francis was born on 15 June 1906 at Booleroo Centre, the tenth of 11 children and one of seven sons of Laurence (Larry) and Frances O’Loughlin. Paddy’s siblings included Cornelius (Neil) V., John (Jack), Lawrence, Charles, Frank, Gerald, Ethel, Kitty, Frances, (who became Sister M. Colette at the Convent of Mercy, Parkside), and Gertrude.
Much of Paddy’s early life was spent in Pinnaroo in the Murray Mallee area of South Australia. His father, a farmer, served as a parliamentarian from 1890 until 1918 because “There was a desire at the time on the part of most of the farmers to get direct representation, and a petition was got up asking me to contest the district of Frome. I stood in the Liberal interest as a farmer and had the support of pretty well all the farmers in the district.” During his parliamentary career, he undertook roles including Commissioner of Crown Lands in the Holder Ministry and later, Speaker of the House during the Peake Government. The Advertiser in January ’27 recounted that ‘because of his knowledge of agricultural matters, Mr. O’Loughlin, in 1893, was appointed a member of a Commission to enquire into the prospects of opening up the Pinnaroo country. The Commission recommended the building of a railway, but the recommendation was not acted upon until 10 years later. Realising the possibilities of the Pinnaroo district, Mr. O'Loughlin sold his property in the north and selected land in the newly opened mallee country, being one of the first settlers at Pinnaroo. His defeat in 1918 gave him an opportunity to seek a well-earned rest from public life, and he retired to his property, which had been carried on for many years by his sons.’
The property was about six miles out from what would become the township of Pinnaroo. He and Frances were amongst the first residents to settle on the land in this area, experiencing all the pioneering hardships but were also exceptionally active in the local community, The oldest son, Neil also was a pioneer in clearing and fencing the land in preparation for productive farming, living in a tent as the scrub clearing work was done. He also acted as a manager of his father’s farm. Being a strong Catholic family, the boys were active in the Catholic Men’s Society.
The younger children’s early education was at the local Oaks school before Patrick headed to the all-boys Catholic Christian Brothers College including at its new site at Rostrevor. There he performed well in athletics including the sprint events of 100, 220 and 440 yards. He was also a useful footballer. Once his schooling was completed, Paddy returned to Pinnaroo and assisted his older brothers who were establishing their own farms. He proved to be a useful addition to the Oaks Cricket Club where his brothers also played. Frank was a reliable wicket keeper but also bowler, Gerald a very useful bowler and batsman and Patrick was described as being ‘the prince of fieldsmen, he had the best pair of hands that one could wish to see on a fieldsman’. In a match played against Pinnaroo in ’36, where the Oaks were captained by Charlie O’Loughlin. The team was poetically described in the local paper as ‘The Oaks Cricket Club did not put the “Pin” in Pinnaroo, but we can claim the privilege of putting “O.K” in Oaks’ where ‘the O’Loughlin Bros., Paddy and Charlie put on a last wicket partnership of five. Charlie did the hitting, Paddy the running. His running between wickets reminds one of “Nip” Pellew. When Charlie called, Paddy simply pounded into his stride. Paddy made “0” not out, a great knock.’
When Paddy was 21, his 75-year-old father, Laurence died on the 25th January ‘27. In a tribute, the Attorney-General (Hon. W. J. Denny.) said: "He was one of my dearest friends, and I deeply deplore his death. His loyalty to his friends, his genial disposition, his strong practical common-sense, and his fatherly advice, are qualities that will be greatly missed. He had a long and successful political career, which at its conclusion left him a host of admirers and absolutely no enemies. As Commissioner of Crown Lands, he was a fair and an impartial administrator. As a Government Whip he never had an equal. His private life was exemplary. As a husband and father, he was the kindliest and most affectionate of men, and his lovable disposition made him a great favorite among a wide circle of friends.’ Then just a fortnight after Paddy’s 32nd birthday, his mother died on the 1st July ’38, also aged 75, followed by his second oldest brother, 48 year old John Francis three weeks later. Eventually Paddy and his older brother, Gerald acquired their own farm at Gurrai.
With the outbreak of WWII there was a huge push by the military with many country areas throughout South Australia being visited in a drive to gain more enlistees. Having just turned 34, Paddy was an early enlistee in July ’40, becoming SX7535 in the newly formed 2/48th Battalion. He nominated his oldest brother, Cornelius (Neil) who was living in Swan Hill, as his next of kin. (The following year, Paddy’s older brother, Gerald also enlisted, becoming SX13754 and also serving in the 2/48th battalion.)
Initial days for Paddy were spent in the cold of the Pavilions, now part of the Royal Adelaide Showgrounds, before the new enlistees headed to Woodside for their preliminary training. Following pre-embarkation leave spent back at Pinnaroo, Paddy with his fellow contingent of enlistees embarked on the Stratheden for the Middle East, on the 7th November 1940, before finally disembarking on the 19th December 1940. On the voyage over, Paddy’s leadership skills were recognised with his appointment to Acting Lance Corporal.
His 2/48th Battalion completed a few months training in Cyrenaica before going 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 as they fought to retain the vital port. Incredibly, the 2/48th battalion was responsible for capturing almost 800 Italian soldiers.
For those serving overseas, news from home was much appreciated and local newspapers were shared amongst the men. An article appeared in the Pinnaroo and Border Times of July ’41. ‘A Pinnaroo soldier, passing through the trenches somewhere in the Middle East, picked up a copy of the local paper. In its columns he read a report of a farewell to a nephew who left Pinnaroo to enter an Adelaide college. The finder was unaware as to who had previously received the paper. The soldier was Pte. Paddy O’Loughlin, and the nephew Master Paul O’Loughlin.’ (Paul was attended Sacred Heart College.)
By August, Paddy was again promoted, to Acting Corporal. The following year in July ’42 the now highly respected 2/48th were sent to El Alamein, in Egypt.
In late June, 42 with Rommel crossing into Egypt, the 2/48th were in an offensive to capture Trig 33, which was achieved on the 10th July. In doing so, over 400 Italian prisoners were taken. The battalion then advanced south, capturing the Tel el Eisa station and repelling numerous counter attacks. However, they were eventually forced to withdraw, having suffered over 100 casualties. It was during this attack that fellow soldier, Private Stan Gurney was awarded the 2/48th Battalion’s first VC having captured two machine gun posts and bayonetted the gun crew firing on his company but was killed attempting to take a third. The 2/48th battalion suffered 215 casualties between the 7th July and 23rd October. Of that number, 64 men were killed and six, died of their wounds. 125 other men were wounded but survived. It was during the bitter fighting at Tel el Eisa on 22 July ‘42 that Corporal Patrick O’Loughlin was killed in action.
In his book, ‘Tobruk to Tarakan’, John G. Glenn described the ferocious encounter in which Paddy was killed in action, two years after he enlisted. He was 36 years old.
‘When the troops were well forward of the start-line they came under terrific fire from shells and mortars from the front and left and suffered heavy casualties. With the slow deliberate movement of perfectly trained soldiers both companies continued the advance in perfect formation, over ground that trembled and erupted with vicious explosions. Through this, sometimes obscured by the smoke and dust, the men moved, and, as they advanced, the fire kept place with them, leaving behind the still shapes of fallen men among the camel bush and sand.’
Glenn later quotes 22-year-old Ray Bloffwitch SX7866 of D Company who was in the thick of the fighting:
‘The noise was terrific: German machine guns were spreading the fire right across our front. The continuous call for stretcher bearers told of our casualties. My section had just cleaned out a pocket when I saw another section cut down. Wally Shane fell and did not move. Then a little further forward, Sergeant Lin Evans was hit twice.’ Paddy was also killed with these fellow soldiers who were all buried nearby.

The Chronicle published a list of those killed in action in August ’42. They included eight others from Paddy’s battalion. SX1312 Pte. Reginald W. C. Brown 2/48th Whyalla. SX12765. Pte. Charles A. Corfield 2/48th Clare. SX7166 Pte. Arthur R. Davis 2/48th Rosewater SX13018 Pte. Colin J. Hanley 2/48th Port Augusta. SX8236 Pte. Gerald J. Hayes. 2/48th Wir. SX6297 Pte. Donald S. Ridley 2/48th Lox SX110521312. Pte. W. M. Shane. 2/48th Spalding and SX8315 Pte. Robert O. Sunman. 2/48th Port Augusta. Nine others were listed as being wounded in action.
The local paper also carried the distressing news. ‘Pinnaroo suffered its fifth war casualty when the death of Cpl. P. (Paddy) O’Loughlin was announced on Tuesday last. The news was received with regret by local residents and sympathy is keenly felt for the bereaved family. The late Cpl. O’Loughlin was killed in action on July 22. He enlisted on July 1, 1940 and has been stationed overseas for some time. He was well known, and his bright personality was responsible for his popularity with all who knew him. Mass was celebrated at the homestead by Rev. Bustelli.’
The Catholic newspaper, Southern Cross carried a similar tribute. ‘Quite a gloom was cast over the town and district last week, when news was received that Cpl. Patrick F. O'Loughlin was killed in action in Egypt on July 22. He was the fifth son of the late Hon. L. O'Loughlin. He enlisted in June 1940 and went abroad the following October. The Rev. Fr. Bustelli conveyed the sad news to the family, and celebrated Mass at the homestead the following morning, which was consoling to the relatives present. Paddy could be described as one of nature's gentlemen. He was popular with everyone. He was unmarried. The surviving brothers and sisters are: Neil (Swan Hill), Laurie, Charles, and Frank (Pinnaroo), Gerald (abroad), Ethel and Kitty (Pinnaroo), Francie, Sister M. Colette (Convent of Mercy, Parkside), Gertie (Port Fairy). That newspaper also carried a general announcement. ’O'LOUGHLIN.—Killed in action in Egypt on July 22, Patrick Francis, fifth son of the late Hon. L. and Mrs. O'Loughlin, late of Pinnaroo. Aged 41 years. R.I.P.
Paddy’s death was also acknowledged at the Pinnaroo District Council meeting in August. The chairman asked members to observe one minute’s silence in tribute to the fallen soldier.
In April ’43, Paddy was re-buried in the El Alamein War Cemetery in Egypt in Plot XVI, Row H Grave 19. He rests with others from his 2/48th Battalion who died on the same day. These included SX13018 21-year-old Private Colin Hanley, SX7979 22-year-old Corporal Lindsay Evans, SX11052 22-year-old Private Walter Shane, WX10144 19-year-old Private Albert Lang, SX7948 24-year-old L/Sgt Keith Trenorden, SX9316, 28-year-old Private Arthur Phillips, SX7343 27-year-old John Miller, SX8670 26-year-old Corporal William Glennon, SX7535 28 year old Cpl Patrick O’Loughlin, WX9817 Pte Gilbert W.B. Lee, WX9858 33 year old Pte Arthur S. Gurney (V.C.), SX13121 23 year old Pte Reginald W.C. Brown, WX9869 31 year old Pte William T. Birchley, SX7483 32 year old Pte Ivan C. Hanel, SX13560 36 year old Pte Herbert J. Hill and SX10317 28-year-old Captain C.F. Williams (M.C.). Paddy’s siblings chose the inscription ‘His duty nobly done’ for his headstone.
At the end of ’43 Paddy’s brother, Gerald was discharged from the 2/48th battalion, returning to farm without Paddy by his side.
The family lost another son, 53-year-old Laurence Theodore who had served with the 2nd Ammunition Column with the 1st AIF. He died on the 13th April, 1946 and is buried in the Pinnaroo Cemetery as are his parents. He was the third son of the late Hon Mr and Mrs. L. O’Loughlin and older brother of Paddy. The Pinnaroo and Border Times reported that ‘The cortege which wended its way from the Catholic Church to the Pinnaroo cemetery included visitors from as far away as Lameroo and from towns on the Victorian side of the Border. Returned men marched at the head of the procession, followed by members of the RAOB Lodge and a long line of cars. The service was conducted by Rev. D. Ruane, after which the Pledge of Remembrance was recited by the RSA President.’
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.

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