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Lindsay was the youngest of three sons born in Redruth, Burra on the 19th June 1911 to Daniel and Ada Margaret Quinn. He had two other brothers, Alan and William with the family living on the family farm, ‘Rocky Glenn’ at Hallett. After a short illness in December 1918, 48-year-old Daniel died in the Jamestown Hospital when Lindsay was seven years old. Their mother later remarried Ern Templer, sold the farm and moved to Toorak. In the meantime, Lindsay attended the local Burra School where lasting friendships were made.
Post school Lindsay became a station hand and a mechanic, eventually running the local Burra Service Station. To celebrate his 21st birthday, the Goodridge family of Hinton Farm at Gum Creek organised an evening of musical games, competitions and table tennis. His brothers Alan and Will presented Lindsay with a gold watch and his mother gave him a set of gold cuff links. His cousins Phyllis and Bessie Goodridge made and decorated a two-tiered birthday cake. The Burra Record reported that Lindsay lit the 21 candles and blew them out with one blow. Toasts followed as did the singing of Auld Lang Syne.
At the end of that year, Lindsay’s older brother, Alan married with Will being his best man. Soon after, aged 24 Lindsay and two Williams brothers, Walter and William decided to explore the eastern states travelling on their motorbikes. On his return he became engaged to Sylvia Joyce Sellars in January ’36, the sister of one of a young friend, Clyde.
Lindsay enjoyed being part of local events, including a light-hearted Centenary Sports Day in April, run by the Returned Services Association. In a play on his occupation as a mechanic, Lindsay was promoted as 'Spirits' (Lindsay Quinn) is the oil all round the town, so when you come to the last he may save you a walk home with a little investment.’ Each participant was described according to their profession in a clever article in the Burra Record, including such gems as ‘The 'jumper' 'Ha-ba dashery' (A. Bence) is making great strides, although built 'scantly' he seldom makes a bloomer and moves with elastic rhythm. He is just the type to 'vest' your sox on, as he stays like your mother-in-law — distance will not trouble him.’ The following year In ’37 a Cycle and Athletic Club Ball was held with the promise of an indoor cycling derby with one of the features being ‘Some aspiring 'Midget' champions (who hope to wear the big Blue Riband). Already nominated are - Lindsay Quinn, who is finding trouble with his knee action on the bends but unwinds a powerful home run.’ Even at this age, Lindsay was particularly tall and quite used to ribbing.
Apart from these humorous events, Lindsay also played tennis, often in doubles with his brother Bill. He was also a willing volunteer in the Militia, joining as 543577 in the 9/23rd Light Horse Brigade.
With WWII declared, a very strong recruiting campaign was conducted for the A.I.F. with enlistment stations at Burra and Clare as part of a huge drive aimed at encouraging fit young country men to join the army. A group of friends, including Ron Bowen all enlisted together on the 3rd July ’40. Ron gave his birth date as being 1920, however was just 18 when he enlisted. The friends joined just two days after Lindsay Quinn SX7366 and Robert Ranford SX7410, both station hands, and Clyde Sellars SX7369 of Burra who enlisted from Clare. Three young men from Burra, including 23-year-old Don Kerin who became SX7642 was immediately followed by Irvine Ogilvie, SX7643, then Ron Bowen SX7651 thus ensuing all these fit young men were allocated to the same newly formed 2/48th Battalion. Ron and Irvine were later to also share the same fate being killed in action. Two days later, 23-year-old Clyde Sellars was also killed in action. Today the three young men remain together in New Guinea. For the new soldiers, their initial days were spent in the cold of the Pavilions, now part of the Royal Adelaide Showgrounds before they headed to Woodside in the Adelaide Hills for their preliminary training.
Lindsay enlisted on the 1st July ’40 with young friend Clyde Sellars SX7369 brother of Lindsay’s fiancée, Sylvia. On pre-embarkation leave at the end of the year, Lindsay married Sylvia on the 22nd November 1940 in the Haywood Avenue Methodist Church at Torrensville. He then returned to Burra where a hugely successful Social was organised for those ‘splendid men’ who had signed up. These included Lindsay, Robert Lee SX7350, Gilbert Builder SX7638 2/3rd Battalion, Alan Penrose SX8927 2/43rd Ken Walker SX5365, Sapper W Kearns, Private Bert Woods and Private W Tassie.
These young men were soon heading overseas on the 5th February 41. Lindsay had quickly been promoted to A/Cpl while at Woodside and while with the M.D. departed Australia on the 5th February. However, he reverted to Private soon after arriving in the Middle East. By the 23rd March ‘41 he was allocated to the 2/48th Battalion and again promoted. By July, a letter had been received by Bob Lee’s parents who shared that Robert ‘who in those far distant lands had unexpectedly run against Sgt. Lindsay Quinn and 'how their two tongues had wagged.'
In April ‘41, Don Kerin wrote home to thank the people of Burra for the Comforts parcel he received. He also added that “There are six Burra boys in my Unit and they are all doing well.”
Lindsay, enjoying the reputation for being the tallest South Australian man in the Infantry, wrote home with his letter published in the Burra Record of August ’41. He ‘said he had not received any letters since Easter but was as fit as a fiddle. It was still very hot and had no winter since leaving Aussie. In company with Ron Bowen had had a good look around including a trip to the Pyramids which he saw in the early morning light and marvelled not only at the stone but the building. Had been to Alexandria where, despite duty had found time for sightseeing, but found night clubs too expensive. He and Ron had visited one of the big boats where they were treated to roast chicken, vegetables, fruit and custard. He had celebrated his twenty-ninth birthday on Aussie beer but was still looking for letters and parcels sent from home.’ Both Lindsay and Ron were amongst the local young men who wrote to their Forces Comfort Fund thanking them for the parcels of goods that had been sent over to the Middle East. Lindsay had also managed to do some shopping to send home to his new wife, Sylvia. She proudly wore the Egyptian dress clip at her niece’s wedding in September ’41.
Earlier that year, Lindsay had experienced problems with his right elbow but was eventually able to re-join his 2/48th by November ’41 when he was appointed L/Cpl. Following a photo published in the News, Lindsay’s mother wrote to the Advertiser, proudly claiming “I have a son in the AIF who for height will knock spots off Tiny Hayman." said Mrs. E. Templar, of Mile End to me yesterday as she showed me a photo of Corporal Lindsay Gordon Quinn. 6 ft. 8 ½ in., tallest man in the AIF, making dwarfs of three of his digger mates. Corporal Quinn writes most cheerful letters home from abroad, despite the fact that he has had fever and an arm operation. He naively confesses that he can still bend his left arm, though! More than 6 ft. also are his brothers, Alan (Strathalbyn) and William (Victor Harbor).’ The published photo had Lindsay alongside Private Pascoe SX4804, Tom Keane SX8870, and Douglas Cameron SX8847 all from the 2/48th Battalion.
The stories of Lindsay’s height continued to entertain. The Burra Record of March ’44 added to the legend with their article. ‘Most people round Burra remember Mr. Lindsay Quinn, of the AIF., who used to run the local service station. Well, Lindsay measured, about 6ft 8” in his socks and was also the possessor of tremendously long arms. A story is now doing the rounds that when this old Burra boy was with the A.I.F. in Tripoli, North Africa, he and a few of his cobbers walked into a restaurant and Lindsay reached up and stuck a small piece of stamp paper on the face of a clock high up on the wall of the building. He then challenged anyone to reach it down again. When the boys left for Sunny Australia the paper was still in position, being proudly displayed by the proprietor of the restaurant. Many members of the forces including British, Canadians, Kiwis, Scotchmen, etc., etc. who thought they were big men had a try to get that piece of paper, but as far as we know it is still there.”
Not unexpectedly with his height and the conditions under which he lived, Lindsay continued to have joint problems. In July ’42 he experienced knee trouble but was able to return from Middle East and home via Melbourne. He underwent some training in Queensland before being posted to Victoria. It was here that he learned that his brother-in-law, Clyde had been killed in action in New Guinea on the 19th November ’43. Distressing news as it also came with news of the loss of other young Burra men, including 21-year-old Ron Bowen and Irvine Ogilvie. Lindsay was eventually discharged in July ’44. Sylvia travelled to Adelaide to meet him before both returned to Burra.
For the young couple, welcome news came with the arrival of their daughter born in September ’45. Each year they continued to remember their younger brother and brother-in-law, Clyde.
Burra Record Tuesday 14 December 1943 SELLARS — Treasured - memories of dearest Clyde, who paid the supreme sacrifice New Guinea, November 19th. — Remembered always by Sylv. and Lins.
Burra Record Tuesday 21 November 1944 SELLARS — In loving memory of dearest Clyde, who paid the supreme sacrifice N.G. November 19 1943. There's a face that is always with us. A voice we long to hear, A smile we will always remember. And a memory most precious and dear. — Ever remembered by Sylv. and Lin.
Burra Record Tuesday 20 November 1945 SELLARS — A tribute of love to the memory of dearest Clyde, who gave his all at Satelberg, 19th November, 1943. May we prove worthy of the sacrifice made. — So dearly loved, so sadly missed by Sylvia and Linsey.

Lindsay lived to be 80. He died on the 3rd November, 1991 and is buried at the Enfield Memorial Park as was his wife, Sylvia in June ’97.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.