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War Memorial
Australia

Stephen John (Steve) Johnson, Stalwart of the Angaston Community

Stephen’s father had come from Bristol, England with a background passion for engines which developed into a love of automobiles and becoming a pioneer of the early-day car. He was amongst the daring band which took a risk to become centre of attention by piloting one of the primitive contrivances to London. He moved to the Barossa where he became recognised as a leading engineer through his business partnership with J. McLeod in the establishment bearing their names in Angaston. Johnson Snr became president of the Angaston Bowling Club, a P.M. of Barossa Masonic Lodge, and was connected with numerous other institutions. Married in 1910 he and Lucy assisted in local activities including dances, the Angaston Show and Institution. Their three children, Robert (Bob), Molly, and Stephen consequently followed in these footsteps, becoming actively involved in their local Angaston community in the Barossa Valley.

From an early age, Steve participated in a number of organisations which, through concerts and performances, funds were raised. As a young six-year-old schoolboy he gave a recitation, ‘Tommy Atkins’ as part of his contribution in a concert to raise funds to help the Starving Armenians held at his Congregational School. Each year at the United Picnic of the local Sunday Schools he also proved to be a talented athlete, regularly winning the flat races in his age division from the under 7-year-old upwards. Similarly, he was regularly involved in the Congregational Concerts held at the local Institute where he confidently sang and acted in short plays including, prophetically, one entitled ‘The Soldiers’ when he was just 8 years old. As with many other locals, Steve was also a participant in the Angaston Fete and Pet Show where other youngsters exhibited a wide variety of animals including opossums, cockatoos, kookaburras, ferrets and lambs with Steve’s entry being a jumping cat – obviously well trained! His other interests as a teenager, included the Boy Scout movement, which provided a ready-made costume to wear to the Anglican Fancy Dress Ball.

As a teenager, Steve became vice-captain of the Nuriootpa High School Football team. Those years were consistently marked with Steve being top of the Nuriootpa School weekly honour list in Years 9 and 10 as well as being Head Prefect. Steve’s sprinting abilities were also elite when the Barossa District Schools combined to compete in the Super Championship.

Post school, Steve joined the clerical staff of the Angaston Coop Packing House. He was active at State Conferences for the Fruit Growers, representing the Angaston Fruitgrowers’ Cooperative and as a judge officiating in the pet section of the local Show, earning him praise for his efficiency in organising the benching of the animals and awarding of the prize money. He had also become a member of the Barossa Freemasons as had his brother, Bob. Aged 22, Steve was best man for his close friend, John Duffield when he married Elva Rice in 1938. The two were later to enlist together on July 2nd 1940 being allocated consecutive enlistment numbers, John SX 7499 and Stephen SX7500. Their other close friend, Hartley Gerlach, was the third of the trio, becoming SX7501. Prior to beginning their training, the three, who worked together at the Angaston Fruitgrowers’ Co-op., were farewelled by the executive and staff. Two others, Ptes Ron Chinner and Ken Waters from the Coop who had previously enlisted, were also present. At the same time, Steve announced his engagement to Edna Gladys Hocking from Swan Reach. It was to be both a patient and challenging wait for the young couple until their wedding.

Bob, Steve’s only brother was already serving overseas when aged 24, Steve was one of seven Angaston ‘Boys’ who were farewelled at a packed Angaston Institute. Jack Duffield, Steve Johnson, Ron Chinner, Eric Teague, Hartley Gerlach, Geo. Langridge and Colin Weber were led in and congratulated on their enlistment. At the conclusion of the festivities, each soldier was presented with an inscribed gold pencil, plus gifts from the Coop and Glee Club. In the patriotic speeches that followed, Councillor Ninnes praised the “excellent attendance as a fitting honour for their boys who were going to win victory for the nation, with freedom of speech, action and thought.” He hoped they would all soon be back from a victorious campaign. Rather prophetically, the RSL Representative claimed that “Hitler would soon probably endorse Hindenburg's opinion of the Australians as the men most to be feared.”

As the war wore on, the community were anxious for and relished any news from overseas. In one, an extract from a letter written by Steve, in which he praised the “excellent work being done overseas by the Red Cross and Comforts Fund” was read to the members who collected and distributed goods and knitted garments. However, in August 1941 news trickled through that Steve’s older brother, Bob had been wounded in action. A local signalman, Charlie Blenkiron reported that he had seen both Steve and Bob with the latter making a ring from the metal of a Junker plane, which Charlie then gave to Mrs Johnson when he was home on leave. Each time the Barossa ‘Boys’ met up overseas, there was much celebration and sharing of news. In fact, any reminder of home was treasured. In a letter from Syria to his sister, Steve commented that he had seen ‘a box with some familiar stencilling thereon, and, making a closer inspection, found it to be a dried fruit box from the Angaston Fruitgrowers' Co-op., where Steve was employed before joining up. He added that it indicated Australia also was delivering the goods.’

The community rejoiced each time a serviceman returned on leave as Steve did in March ’42 for his April wedding. He had been serving in the Middle East and had to return to duty the following day, so it was a quiet but joyful celebration. The local Newspaper, Leader captured the event with the description that ‘Steve even got a sparkling polish on the army boots and looked just 6 ft. of real happiness as he said "I will." His pretty bride wore a smart jacket suit of green linen, with white accessories. She had been doing her bit of war work by helping with the fruit harvest up River, but got a few days' off for the great event.’ While Steve had been John Duffield’s groomsman prior to the war, John was still serving overseas, but his wife, Elva was Edna’s matron of honour. She was had been doing her bit of war work by helping with the fruit harvest up River, but got a few days' off for the great event. Steve’s brother returned the following Monday from overseas, just missing the celebrations.

Six months later in October, Steve was again able to return home for a month’s leave spent with both sets of parents in Swan Reach and Angaston. While Steve was serving overseas, Edna was involved in ‘war work’ in the city before working in the Angaston Eudunda Farmer’s Coop Store, where staff had been depleted because of those serving in the war effort. By March of 1943 Edna learnt of Steve’s promotion to Warrant-Officer before he had a brief return home from training in Queensland in October. It was to then be a challenging year with Edna’s father’s death in November of 1944 but Steve was able to return from New Guinea to be with the family in January of ’45 as it was obvious the Allied Forces were succeeding.

With Peace finally declared, Steve was able to finally and permanently return home in September of 1945. Where women had previously stepped up to take the vacant work positions, once the troops returned these work positions were often then relinquished. Steve was warmly welcomed back to the staff of the Angaston Fruitgrowers' Co-op, having served in the Middle East, New Guinea and elsewhere. Steve again took up many community roles. Having seen the horrific effects of Tuberculosis, he helped raise awareness of this disease.

In a devastating blow to the young couple, their first child, a son was stillborn. However just 13 months later their much-anticipated daughter, Carol Christine was born in the local hospital in July 1947, just 3 months before they were able to move into one of the first two Trust Homes built in Angaston, a move designed to support returned servicemen. Five further homes were to follow for other servicemen from the area. An added joy was the arrival of their son, Roger Stephen in February, 1950.

With his brother Bob as President, Steve was secretary and treasurer of the Angaston RSL until 1948 when the two took on different roles on the social committee, arranging events and selling for the Poppy Badge sales. John Duffield, Steve’s close friend with whom he enlisted, then took over as President.  Steve also became a district Ambulance Officer, frequently transporting patients to the Adelaide Hospital or from other district like Lights Pass into Angaston.

Edna pre-deceased Steve on the 27th November, 1982 aged 72. Steve died in August, 1995 just prior to his 80th birthday. Both are buried in the Angaston Cemetery. In a fitting tribute to this very community minded man, the Angaston Garden Society also placed a plaque commemorating his contributions.

Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes, SX8133 2/48th Battalion.