Frank Stanley LEVERETT

LEVERETT, Frank Stanley

Service Number: SX7329
Enlisted: 1 July 1940, Adelaide, SA
Last Rank: Private
Last Unit: 2nd/48th Infantry Battalion
Born: Port Victoria, SA, 30 March 1920
Home Town: Port Victoria, Yorke Peninsula, South Australia
Schooling: Port Victoria School
Occupation: Clerk
Memorials:
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World War 2 Service

1 Jul 1940: Involvement Private, SX7329
1 Jul 1940: Enlisted Adelaide, SA
1 Jul 1940: Enlisted Australian Military Forces (Army WW2), Private, SX7329, 2nd/48th Infantry Battalion
13 Nov 1945: Discharged
13 Nov 1945: Discharged Australian Military Forces (Army WW2), Private, SX7329, 2nd/48th Infantry Battalion

A Loyal Friend

Frank was born on the 30th March, 1920 to Margaret Ellen and Stanley Roy Leverett. His hometown of Port Victoria is a small country town on the western coast of Yorke Peninsula, an area renown for its fishing and seafood. His father, Stanley Roy Leverett had served as 3389 in WWI with the 50th Battalion, rising to the rank of Corporal. Stanley’s service was marked by several incidents of gunshot wounds while in action, including in March 1916 and November with gunshot wound to his legs. Again in 1918 he sustained further gunshot wounds to his right shoulder and also his foot. He was fortunate to return to South Australia.
Frank had two sisters, Lorna and Maureen with all attending the local Port Victoria School. Frank was a typical country lad and enjoyed playing sports including football and cricket. Living on the coast, he was also a competent swimmer. He worked as a clerk until the outbreak of WWII, when having just turned 20 in July ’40, he enlisted to serve to follow in his father’s footsteps. He was allocated to the 2/48th Battalion as SX7329. His good friend from nearby Minlaton, Keith Stagbouer enlisted in April the following year, becoming SX12157.
Both young men were sent to the Middle East to be met by dust, dirt, heat flies and constant bombardment. The conditions were in complete contrast to the tranquillity and conditions Frank knew back home. In a recently published book, ‘Derrick VC In his Own Words’ Mark Johnston meticulously documents ‘Diver’ Derrick’s diaries. The entries, while brief give an insight into the conditions and the effects on the younger men. After 10 months of service, Frank rejoins his Battalion. Derrick’s entry for 30 May 1941 (Friday) reads: ‘About 100 in the shade and Im off to beach for a swim and was it any good, of course Fritz came over and dropped a few on old Toby, but didn’t get near us. Section grows one, Leverett back from Palestine.’ Derrick’s entry for the following day gives a further glimpse of Frank’s condition: ‘31st May Weather getting hotter each day and flies are thicker that thick. The new fellow Leverett has gone to pieces after hearing our arty open up, cant do much with him and have sent him to the R.A.P. (Regimental Aid Post)’ Clem Billing stated later that Derrick spent hours talking with Leverett, and that this concern for ‘his’ men was typical.
Within a month, Derrick’s concern for Frank was again mentioned in an entry ‘27 June ‘41 Rumours going about that we are moving but don’t know where to. Have had one man taken away (Leverett) The best thing for him.’ It may well have been Derrick’s compassion for Frank that enabled him to survive the war conditions.
Just six months after enlisting, Frank’s friend Keith Stagbouer was killed just nine days after his 21st birthday, on the 26th October 1942. Frank was also wounded in the same confrontation. John Glenn in his book ‘Tobruk to Tarakan’ describes the situation that Frank, Keith and their fellow Rats faced. ‘Conditions at the time were ever-changing and the fighting continuous. Montgomery had ordered the 9th Battalion to attack northward in what was to be relentless fighting in in a massive assault to ambitiously take the strategic position of Trig 29.’
‘The attack continued, however, without pause…it was only after hard fighting, with heavy casualties on both sides, that they were able to consolidate on their objective. The troops had never been more tired.. The 2/48th had stirred up a real hornets’ nest; from first light until nine o’clock the enemy turned all their fury on the Trig area, with particularly heavy fire on 29 itself, hiding the position in a cloud of dust and smoke.’ He added:
‘Death would have reaped a rich harvest of gallant man. And of the 2/48th Battalion only forty one weary troops would remain in the field.’ Frank, though wounded, was one. Then ‘at zero hour 1 a.m. 31st October, the artillery opened up with a receding barrage – one that creeps back on itself. The attack was towards the guns themselves, the enemy being between troops and the guns…one gun was landing shells right amongst the men… As soon as the main road was reached the two leading companies came under murderous fire, and, from then until they reached the objective, 2,250 yards from the start line, the whole advance was fought in fierce hand to hand fighting.’ It was under these conditions that Keith received his fatal wounds.
In Mark Johnson’s book he makes note that ‘Pte Frank Stanley Leverett… stayed with the battalion throughout the war and was WIA at El Alamein 27 October 42.’
Back home, the Advertiser on the 20th November ’42 carried both the news of Franks’ wounding and of the death of Keith. ‘WO and Mrs. S. R. Leverett, of 24 Young Street, Parkside, have been notified that their only son, Pte. Frank Leverett (20), has been wounded in action in Egypt. Pte. Leverett enlisted from Port Victoria in June, 1940, and sailed in November, 1940. He has served in Tobruk, Palestine and Syria.’
Soon after, the Chronicle listed those who had been killed in action with Keith. They included 24-year-old SX9128 Pte Jack D Clark, 2/24th, Seven Hills; 34-year-old SX7246 Pte. Gordon Franklin, 2/24th Kimba; 27-year-old SX12363 Pte. Ron Jackson SX6963 2/48th Melrose: 26-year-old SX7506 Pte. Ernest N. Parkyn, 2/48th Murray Bridge; 22-year-old SX2139 Pte. Harry Pearce, 2/48th Watervale; and his brother 30-year-old SX7239 Pte. Phillip Pearce. 2/48th Watervale: 21-year-old SX12157 Pte. Eric K. Stagbouer, 2/48th Maitland: 29-year-old SX7987 Pte. Douglas Whyte. 2/48th Joslin. These were the cream of Australia’s young men.
Deeply affected at the death of his good friend, Frank continued to loyally remember Eric.
Advertiser Tuesday 26 October 1943, STAGBOUER A tribute to my pal, Keith. killed in action. El Alamein. Oct. 26. 1942. His duty nobly done. —Ever I remembered by his old pal. Frank Leverett (AIF.).
Advertiser Friday 27 October 1944, STAGBOUER. —In memory of my pal Keith, killed in action El Alamein, October, 1942. A thought for today, a memory forever. —Inserted by Frank Leverett, 2/48th Battalion.
Advertiser Saturday 27 October 1945, STAGBOUER. — In fond remembrance of my pal Keith, killed in action El Alamein, October 26 1942. Time drifts on, three years have passed; but memories of you always last.—Always remembered by Frank Leverett. 2/48th Battalion, Borneo.
With peace declared and Frank finally back home on the 13th November ‘45, he married Laurel Woolcock. The young couple had four children, Brian born on August 23rd ‘48, Raelene born on September 29th ‘50, Dianne on July 18 ‘52 and Margaret. They were able to enjoy the company of Frank’s father, Stanley until his death, aged 58 in hospital on May 29th 1954. A tribute to Stanley’s WWI service is a headstone in the West Terrace Cemetery. The inscription reads ‘Ever remembered by his wife and family. A beautiful memory left behind of one who was always true and kind.’
Aged 54, Frank died on the 10th September, 1974. A plaque to his memory is at Centennial Park, in the Derrick Gardens, Path 30, Grave 395 B.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.

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Biography contributed by Faithe Jones

Only son of WO Stan R and Mrs M E LEVERETT of Parkside, SA

Frank played cricket and football and was fond of golf and swimming.