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Conlin, known as ‘Con’ was the fourth of seven children. He was born on the 31st March 1912 to James Frederick and Margaret Trenorden. His siblings included James Henry, Eleanor ‘Nel’ and Richard Edward (Dick), Carmen Sylvia, Winifred Elsie and Leonard Ernest (Len). Con was the third generation of his family to become market gardeners in Summertown in the Adelaide Hills. Con’s grandfather, also names James had come from Cornwall in 1848 to take up the heavily timbered land. Initially he earned a living by splitting post rails, slabs and laths until he had cleared the land sufficiently to create a large garden. This was inherited by Con’s father and uncle William, until William’s untimely death when his horse bolted as they returned from market. The colourful grandfather was unsuccessful in the Victorian goldrush, but certainly did not lack strength. (He was reputed to have shouldered one of his bullock’s yoke when the beast died on the way to Adelaide markets – thus completing the journey.)
Typical of the times, most country boys were proficient with rifles and would frequently head out to shoot rabbits, both for food and to get rid of these introduced pests. Just days after his 14th birthday, Con, Ken Laurence and his friend, 12-year-old Francis Schultz were out rabbiting together. Francis’ gun was cocked, muzzle resting on his foot, when it accidentally discharged. Ken, assisted by Con, carried the lad a mile uphill to the nearest road and hailed a passing motorist who took the injured lad to the Uraidla Hospital for Xrays and treatment.
The Trenorden children all attended the local Uraidla School, but from early years were active in the family orchard at Summertown and were regularly involved in sport. Con played tennis for the Summertown Methodist Club and he was also active as Assistant Scoutmaster of the Summertown Uraidla Troop in the early ‘30’s.
Con and the family generously supported their community and fundraisers, including the ’39 bushfire relief Appeal and post-war, in the ‘50’s Down Every Street Appeal.
With his older brother, Richard marrying in October ’39 Con was chosen to be his best man. Soon after, Con, brother Len and cousin Ken went holidaying on the Coorong, a favourite spot enjoyed by them and a close group of friends; their last escapade before enlisting for WWII.
28-year-old Con was the first in his family to enlist, signing up on the 27th June ‘40 with cousin Ken the following month. Both were allocated to the newly formed 2/48th Battalion, Con being given the number SX7309 and Ken SX7948. Their early days were spent at Wayville, now the pavilions for the Royal Adelaide Showgrounds.
Following Con’s enlistment, on the 7th December, 22 year old Len became 407628 in the RAAF, rising to the rank of Flight Lieutenant. He was discharged on the 29th May ’45. 31-year-old Richard Edward was the third of the brothers, enlisting on the 11th April ’42 as S76800 and became a Lance Corporal. He was discharged 3rd Oct ’45.
Soon after, a Hospital ball was held at Uraidla in August. Patriotism was evident in the Union Jack and Australian flags on the walls and decorations in red, white and blue were a highlight of the window boxes. The celebrations included a ‘Popular Girl Competition’ with each of the towns represented. Con, as a serving soldier in the A.I.F. partnered Summertown’s entry, Joyce Stentiford.
During pre-embarkation leave, a huge farewell at the Summertown Institute was held in September for the local enlistees, including Con and Ken Trenorden and the Goodfellow brothers. The sporting football, cricket and tennis Clubs all gave speeches in praise of the qualities of their enlistees before the young men were presented with either a money belt or wallet. A concert of individual and group singing, skits and recitations followed with community singing and dancing, then the traditional country supper.
Con then sailed for the Middle East on the Stratheden on the 7th November, arriving in the Middle East on the 17th of December. He was amongst the group of men who were to earn the proudly borne title of being a Rat of Tobruk. Initially this was a term designed to demoralise the allied troops, who at the time were living in hand-hewn underground dugouts. The Germans derisively called this living like rats, but it was immediately seized on as a term of pride.
By August, Con had developed a painful middle ear infection (Otis media) and was hospitalised. Unfortunately, but February ’42 Con’s medical classification prevented him from being involved in field formations, serving in the Salvage Unit. Just five months afterwards, his cousin Ken was killed in action during the attack on Tel el Eisa where fifty-three men were killed and sixty-nine wounded.
The 2/48th returned to Australia via Melbourne, arriving at the end of February ’43 before Con was able to return to South Australia in March. On official leave, he returned home to be welcomed at a fundraiser, part of the Patriotic Carnival Queen Competition at Uraidla, where different branches of the Forces were represented. Unfortunately, he experienced several health issues and spent some time in Kapara Convalescent Home at Glenelg as he recovered from a cystitis infection. He was finally discharged on the 3rd November that year to return to farming.
In April 1946 Summertown Red Cross organised a huge Welcome Home in the local Institute for 43 of the local, returned men. Musical and elocution items were mixed with dancing. At nine o'clock, lights were extinguished prior to two-minutes' silence, followed by Con reciting the ‘Ode of Remembrance’. This was followed by the singing of ‘Lead Kindly Light.’
Told to forget the war, Con returned to the property, where he soon became a member of the Ashton branch of the Agricultural Bureau. In May ’48 he and two other members toured Victoria to both glean new ideas and share their successes.

Post war, Con married a widow, Helen Montagu Rechner. Her first husband, Harry Wallent, had served in the Air Force but died in 1957.
Aged 91, Con died on the 21st November 2003 and was interred in the Centennial Park Cemetery. Helen lived to be 92 and died in 2011.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.