Lewis’ mother, Jane Elizabeth Brown had a brother, Lewis George who served in WWI. He enlisted as a 24-year-old with the Australian Imperial Force on the 30th September 1915 and given the number 2167 in the 32nd Battalion. He headed firstly to the Suez in February 1916, then to the Western Front in France in June the same year. Sadly, aged 28, he was killed in action in the Battle of Fromelles, on the 19th June. When Lewis Bruce was born at Wilmington on the 27th June the following year, Jane and Albert Haley Abbott named him in honour of the uncle he would never meet but whom they would never forget. Lewis was the second of their sons and fourth of five children. His siblings included an older brother, Harry Oliver and three sisters, Myra Hazel, Edna Jean and Beryl Audrey.
Their father, Albert was active in the local Wilmington Community, being a Councillor for the Willochra Ward for several years. The children attended the local Quorn Primary School at a time where Arbor Day was an annual and major focus. Lewis was part of the planting of an avenue of trees along Second Street near the school. This preceded a half holiday with sporting events held the following day. At that stage in Grade II, Lewis proved to be a capable sprinter, coming second in his class race.
The following month with Lewis just having turned eight years old, his 45-year-old mother, who had been experiencing ill health for some time, died in September 1925. She was described as ‘a well-known and highly respected resident of the Bruce district, who died unexpectedly yesterday morning. Mrs, Abbott had been in indifferent health for a long period, and much sympathy is expressed for the bereaved.’ The family was overwhelmed with telegrams, flowers and personal visits by thoughtful residents.
As a fifteen-year-old, Lewis, known as Lew, was best man for his brother, Harry when he married Leila Cleggett who also chose Edna Abbott as one of her bridesmaids. That same year, Lew was at Quorn High School where he was elected as Captain of Eichman House and also proved to be a good high jumper in sports. Lew and his older brother Harry both played cricket for Bruce, proving to be reliable batsmen. Post school Lew became a wool classer which complimented his skills as a grazier.
With the outbreak of WWII, 22 year old Lewis enlisted on the 1st July 1940. He was given the number SX7324 and allocated to the newly formed 2/48th Battalion. His initial days were spent in the cold of the Pavilions, now part of the Royal Adelaide Showgrounds. From Wayville, the new enlistees moved to Woodside for their preliminary training.
Back home on pre-embarkation leave, Private Lew Abbott was farewelled in the packed Bruce Memorial Hall. He was the first soldier to be so honoured. This was made the more poignant as his father, Albert, had laid the foundation stone to the building in 1922. One of the speakers chose his words well in comparing this war with the last and hoped that this really was ‘a war to end war,' and that the flower of a young country, of which their guest was so typical, would never more be called upon to sacrifice so much to the ‘Hounds of War’. Other speakers dwelt on Lew’s exemplary character and fine personality, mentioning what a deep loss such a popular member of the community would be in social and sporting circles. They all wished him the very best of luck and a safe return to Bruce. Lew was presented with a wristlet watch before thanking his many friends for their kindly gesture and good wishes. He added that “The watch would serve to remind him of the many friends and associations so dear to him back home in Bruce. He did not know where destiny would take him. Like all the boys he found the hardest part of his new life was to say "good bye."
Following pre-embarkation 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.
Soon after disembarking, Lew was appointed Lance Corporal, then very quickly to Acting Corporal. However, by June ‘41 news was received that Lew had been wounded in action as had Private William Manley SX7878 from the same battalion. As did so many of those men who served, Lew underplayed his injury, a gunshot wound to his right foot, writing home saying that his foot wound was progressing and that he hoped to get a boot on soon. A variety of different roles followed.
As did so many country newspapers, the Quorn Mercury regularly included snippets of news from their young men serving overseas. Lew sent home a copy of the Battalion news sheet, ‘Never Beaten’ which was published in August ’41 and included a comment from his Division Commander "My compliments to you and your Battalion on the splendid show which you have put up all this week. That you have stood so firm and been so resolute has been of the utmost importance and does you all great credit.” Another read “In BBC Broadcast, Saturday, 19th April — Considerable reference was made to the fighting in this area. Referring to attack on our front, 17/18 April it was announced: — "After having his morale broken by British artillery fire the Italians, strengthened by Germans, were no match for the South Australians who drove them back, inflicting heavy casualties.” Lew also forwarded a verse written by Corporal Manning about the gallant stand at Tobruk. The final lines were;
“For a week or more there we stood,
Although he flung at us all he could,
And flat we lay on the stony earth
While his planes and bombs tested our worth.
Then came a day when his plunging tanks
Charged up and down our meagre ranks;
And we knew when they had passed
We'd take all he'd give us and still stand fast.
But best of all, there was in my heart
The feeling that I was at last a part
Of a band who knew that they were a crowd
Of whom their fathers might well feel proud.
And now we feel that our motto's boast
Is something more than a phrase for a toast.
But come what may, if we live or die,
The Battalion pride will ever ride high.”
By October the local ‘Mercury’ reported that ‘Cpl. Lew Abbott has so far recovered from his recent, foot wound to resume his duties, and recently was able to indulge in the luxury of a game of tennis.’ He had been admitted to the Prince of Wales Hospital for X-rays. The following month another report was published that ‘Two Bruce boys had a happy reunion over the ‘other side' recently when Lew Abbott and Jack Mc-Skimming met for a while. It's a small world sometimes. An animated discussion on the season's, wool prospects at home was not among the least of the subjects that bounded their interests. Though minus a few toes Lew is finding plenty to do in the new responsibilities to which he has been assigned.’
Although Lew missed his younger sister, Beryl’s wedding in April ‘42, with a report of the ceremony was also the mention that Sergeant Lew was well and safe overseas. Lew arrived back in Australia in July ’42, returning to Bruce for a few days leave where it was reported that ‘He looks exceedingly well after his experience's abroad, in the course of which he was wounded in the foot. Sgt. Abbott is at present engaged in duties in S.A.’ This preceded the news that he had ‘has departed for outpost duty.’ And more detail in November that ‘Sergt. Lew Abbott is gaining an extensive experience in all modes of military transport abroad and now in Australia. He is taking to his latest job like a duck takes to water and is in the running for a W.O. 2.’ This new role was with the Water Transport Directorate.
Lew later travelled to Queensland to train for warfare in the tropical conditions of New Guinea against a very different enemy. He arrived in Milne Bay in January but by May had contracted malaria and was evacuated. That same month, Lew learned of the untimely death of his five-year-old nephew, Rodney, son of his brother Harry and Leila. Death unfairly stalked not just at the Front. Lew and his siblings placed a tribute ‘ABBOTT.—In loving memory of our dear grandson, nephew and cousin, Rodney, who passed away on May 18th 1942. To be with us in the same old way, Would be our dearest wish today. —Ever remembered—by Grandfather, Aunties Molly, Edna and Beryl, Uncles Bill, Claude and Lewis, and Myra and Billy.’
Lew was promoted to Warrant Officer and was soon transferred to Headquarters until his return to Australia via Townsville in February ’44. Having been granted leave, Lew returned to his brother’s farm to spend leave with the family. He was also able to spend time at the Quorn Jockey Club which ran a Patriotic Race Meeting, the first of its kind since bans were lifted. People flocked from surrounding towns including Whyalla, Port Augusta, Wilmington, Hawker, Jamestown, Laura, Orroroo, Peterborough and the mid-north. With Lew’s involvement in a variety of theatres of war now drawing to a close, he was hospitalised in Adelaide for a number of weeks over November and December as was Ron Virgin SX33794, who also served with Lew in the 2/48th Battalion. Lew had allergic dermatitis which continued to cause challenges. Because of their hospitalisation, neither Lew nor Ron were able to attend the welcome home ceremony at the Bruce Memorial Hall on December 1st ’45 along with others who had served in the AIF, RAN and ex-Prisoners of War. Lew’s brother, Harry was the chairman of the organising committee. The Mercury reported that ‘It was the desire of the committee for Lew Abbott (late AIF) and Pte. Ron Virgin to also be amongst the guests, however, circumstances would not permit, and apologies were received on their behalf.’
Lew was finally discharged, medically unfit on the 28th April, ’45. Post war, he became involved with the Repatriation Commission based in Flinders Street Adelaide. There he took on the challenge of attempting to contact about 500 former South Australian members of the Army Water Transport units. Lew was described as having ‘enlisted with the 2/48th in June 1940, saw service in the early North African campaign, being one of the Rats of Tobruk, where he was wounded. After recovering in an Army hospital in Palestine, he linked up with the Movement Control. On returning to Australia, he was amongst the original members called in to form the Water Transport Group and served at various localities in New Guinea.’
Lew and Joan Fowler, who had served with the Australian Women’s Army Service as SF84142, became engaged in November ’47. Lewis’ father lived to see Lew return home safely from the war and also to marry the following year in the Mitcham Baptist Church in an evening ceremony on the 13th March. Albert also celebrated his 80th birthday with a High Tea at Covent Gardens, King William Street with so many of his friends from Bruce and Quorn. Aged 80, he died in September 1948 and was buried with his wife, Jane in the Quorn Cemetery.
Joan and Lew welcomed daughters Susan, Helen, Marilyn, Lorraine and Yvonne.
Despite his war service and injuries, Lewis lived to be 85. He died on the 8th October, 2002. A plaque commemorating his service is in the Quorn Cemetery. Joan pre-deceased him and died on the 23rd April ’94, aged 70. She was buried in the Currency Creek Cemetery General 1038.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.
