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Whilst Gordon (known as Geoff) was born at Burnside on the 6th May, 1918 most of his life was spent in the picturesque Adelaide Hills town of Bridgewater as part of a tight-knit local community. He was the second son born to parents, Edward Roy and Louisa Blanche who had seven children, including Keith, Kathleen, Edna, Ross, Harry and Deane. The children attended the local Bridgewater School whilst also helping on their productive market garden property.
In an horrific accident, when Geoff was 18, his 50-year-old father was killed instantly when his horse and lorry, loaded with fruit and vegetables were struck by a train at the Bridgewater level crossing on the 19th December ’36. Four-year-old Dean, the youngest son who was also in the cart, was incredibly fortunate to escape injury as his quick-thinking father threw him out of harm’s way. All major newspapers carried the accident details, including the local Mount Barker Courier which described the conditions: ‘There is a down grade at the crossing and although it is an open one it has often been claimed that a wig-wag signal should be installed, as there is part of the view from one side obstructed by a building.’ The paper added ‘Mr. Radbone had lived in the Stirling district for about 26 years. He was interested in the Rechabite Lodge, of which he was secretary, and was circuit steward of the Methodist church. For about ten years Mr. Radbone was the Bridgewater correspondent of "The Advertiser" and in recent months had been acting in a similar capacity for "The Courier." He was a kindly man and was well liked by all who knew him. His wife and seven children survive. With the exception of Dean, all are over the age of 14 years.’
Post school Geoff worked at the family gardens, ‘Cherryleigh’. However, he also was a stalwart of the local Bridgewater Methodist Church and Sunday School. He helped organise and participate in the annual picnic, held at Long Gully where he was also a successful participant in the running events, as were brothers Dean and Harry Radbone. Geoff was also an active organiser and participant in the Bridgewater Social Club which met each week, undertaking a range of roles including as Master of Ceremonies. Reflective of the high regard in which he was held, Mavis Abbott organised a surprise 21st birthday party for Geoff, attended by over forty guests. The local Courier reported that ‘The guest, who is captain of the Aldgate football club, was the recipient of a wristlet watch presented by Mr. T. Murphy (vice-captain) on behalf of the team.’ Entertainment included a scavenger hunt, supper, speeches and the singing of "Auld Lang Syne".
Geoff continued to be an active sportsman in tennis, and especially football where he was a regular nominee in the best player list with comments in the local Courier including ‘Aldgate commenced the final term with great dash, Radbone being very conspicuous.’ The crowning achievement in his football career was in ’38 when Geoff won the prestigious K.D. Bell medal. In the previous year he had come fourth in the voting. His playing career was interrupted by war, but he continued to be named in the outstanding player list.
The same year Geoff won the ‘Best and Fairest’ medal, he also acted as groomsman when his sister, Kathleen married Donald McKenzie in March. Edna Radbone was also in the wedding party as bridesmaid, whilst her youngest brother, Dean hung a lucky horseshoe on Kathleen’s arm.
Having just turned 22, Gordon enlisted on the 29th June, 1940 becoming SX7139. His close friend, Stuart Lawrence Wood enlisted at the same time and became SX7213 with both allocated to the newly formed 2/48th Battalion. Another young man, Norman Lorimer Badman from Pinaroo chose the same day to enlist, becoming SX7093. Younger brother, Harry Douglas enlisted the following week on the 5th July becoming SX7991 and a driver. Unfortunately, he became a Prisoner of War in Java. By some miracle, Harry survived working in the inhumane conditions on the ill-famed Thai / Burma Railway but was also transported to Japan to work as slave labour in a coal mine. On the way to Japan his convoy was attacked by an American sub with the loss of many Allied prisoners’ lives. He was incredibly fortunate to survive and return home in ’46. Another younger brother, Ross James also enlisted aged 21 in March ’44, becoming SX35200. He survived the war and was discharged in February ’46.
Geoff spent his early days in the cold of the Pavilions, now part of the Royal Adelaide Showgrounds before ironically, he returned to the Adelaide Hills for his preliminary training at Woodside.
During his brief time of pre-embarkation leave, Geoff was able to have precious time with his family and tight-knit community when the Bridgewater Hall was again crowded as the locals gathered to farewell five of their young men. These included Tom Hincks SX7975, Royal Scott SX8034, Stuart Wood SX7213 and Geoff, all from the 2/48th Battalion. Each was presented with a shaving kit from the residents and from the ladies of the Comforts Fund, a parcel of woollen comforts. The young men responded with their thanks before a variety of items were presented, followed by a community supper and the singing of "Auld Lang Syne."
Geoff and his fellow members of the 2/48th Battalion then embarked on the Stratheden for the Middle East, on the 7th November 1940, arriving on the 19th December 1940 where the Battalion set up camp at Dimra before completed a few months training in Cyrenaica. Besides regular army duties was the need to quickly adapt to the light-fingered locals who saw any provisions or equipment as ‘available’. Soon after, they were heading 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.
The battalion was soon involved in intense conflicts where the reputation for being the most highly decorated but decimated battalion was earned. The 2/48th was subjected to heavy, constant German shelling, forcing the men to shelter in the pits they had dug.
Geoff, a Lance Corporal was first wounded on the 18th July ’42 at Tel el Eisa, when he lost the index finger on his left hand from a, fortunately, slightly inaccurate sniper who took a shot at him whilst he was being transported in a Bren Gun Carrier. This was just one of the many injuries he would sustain. While the specific details were not released, his injury was reported back home. The Courier summarised that Geoff ‘joined up in June 1940 and went overseas 17 months later. He was well-known as a footballer and tennis player in pre-war days and was superintendent of the local Sunday school.’ He was one of 12 soldiers named as being injured.
He had just recovered from his first injury when he was again wounded on the 24th October ’42 at El Alamein with Pte. Mervyn J. Riebe from Mylor and Pte. Clarence R. Pearson from Oakbank. Pte. Aubrey Ellis from nearby Uraidla died of illness. Again, the wounding was reported with the News adding both a photo and detail of his life and service to date. ‘Private M. Radbone, of the Australian Women’s Army Service, has been notified that her husband, Lance-Corporal Geoff Radbone. has been wounded in action in Egypt. L.-Cpl. Radbone enlisted in June 1940, left for overseas the following November, and served in Tobruk for eight months. He was formerly superintendent of the Bridgewater Sunday School and was a prominent hills footballer and tennis player.’
Finally, the remnants of the 2/48th returned to Adelaide in March ’43. The local News proudly announced ‘With 2½ years of history-making fighting behind it, the 9th Division A.I.F. received a warm welcome on its return to Australia. One of its South Australian battalions has won three Victoria Crosses and 60 other decorations and awards-more than any other A.I.F. unit.’
Geoff changed his next of kin details to his widowed mother, Louisa then headed to train in Queensland before then being sent to New Guinea and a very different war against a totally different enemy and terrain. Geoff was wounded on the 17th November ’43 in New Guinea. It was a challenging time for his mother as news of younger brother Harry, a POW was spasmodic at the best of times. The Advertiser reported that ‘Mrs. L. Radbone, of Bridgewater, has received advice that her second son, Cpl Geoff Radbone, AIF, was wounded in action in New Guinea on November 20. He sailed for overseas in November 1940, and served in the Middle East campaigns, returning to Adelaide in February last. Mrs. Radbone has received a card from her third son, Pte. Harry Douglas Radbone, in Thailand.’ The ‘card’ was highly prescriptive and gave no personal information.
In that attack on Coconut Ridge in November ’43 Geoff’s battalion came under fire from the well-prepared Japanese manned with machine guns and with snipers hidden in trees. In his book Tobruk to Tarakan, John Glenn describes how 12 Platoon was “pinned down within thirty feet of its objective. Corporal Geoff Radbone then rallied his section, and they charged in amongst Japanese positions, throwing grenades as they went, shooting those of the enemy who attempted to run.” Eleven Platoon, with Lieutenant Robinson in command, then attacked through the ground held by Geoff Radbone’s section and immediately came under small arms fire.”
“In view of the time and the casualties suffered it was now decided to withdraw the two platoons. Corporal Radbone’s section remained until the last, to cover the withdrawal, engaging the enemy with small arms fire and grenades. The battalion then re-organised for the night. Our casualties for the day had been six killed and twenty-six wounded.” He continued “During the night the enemy vacated their positions and moved back to the crest behind. Around Geoff Radbone’s section we found the bodies of twenty dead Japs. (Radbone later received the Distinguished Conduct Medal for the part he played in this battle.)” In reality, the records of the 2/48th shows that the award was immediate, and the citation was written, inexplicably, the medal was not awarded.
In the meticulously researched book by Mark Johnston, Derrick VC In His Own Words, Diver Derrick also made mention of this battle in his diary entry for the 17 November 1943 (Wednesday) where he noted that ‘B Coy were pushed in and a glorious display and attack dislodged enemy from well dug in posn.’ He lists Geoff Radbone as being one of the 20 men wounded in the attack.
Corporal Geoff and his fellow enlistee, Stuart Wood were welcomed home on leave in January ’45 before again returning to New Guinea. Within five months Geoff was again wounded on the 3rd June ’45 at Tarakan with his fellow soldiers later explaining this was as a result of a booby trap that did the damage. The Japanese were renown for this type of warfare as it caused maximum impact and ‘tied up’ others who came to help their fallen comrade. His fellow soldiers reported that the injuries were so extreme that all the field dressings that were available were used to stem the bleeding. Years later, his children recalled being able to feel the countless shrapnel remains that were embedded in his body.
The Advertiser carried the news of this latest injury ‘Mrs. L. Radbone, of Cherryleigh, Bridgewater, has been advised that her son, Act-Sgt. Geoffrey Radbone, was wounded in action at Tarakan on June 3.’ In that encounter, Johnston’s research found that ‘His section reportedly killed 19 Japanese on taking its objective, which the official historian calls a ‘fine effort’. For Geoff, it was the end of his war, which he was incredibly fortunate to have survived, following so many woundings. He was part of a large contingent of over 40 sick and wounded South Australian A.I.F. men who arrived back in Adelaide in hospital ward cars attached to the Melbourne Express in August that year. Geoff was met by his sister, Kathleen McKenzie, for whom he had been a groomsman at her wedding. The News of August 2nd carried a delightful photo of their reunion as well as quite enlightening anecdotes from other wounded men. One of the soldiers interviewed commented “Many of the men in the party have dermatitis. contracted in New Guinea and New Britain. Sgt. F. J. Jennings. of Dulwich, said he thought the continuous rain, heat, and hard food with lack of fresh vegetables was responsible for much of the skin diseases. Sapper A. C. Gourlay. of Trinity Gardens. said men were going "troppo" with the continued war strain.” Geoff was one of the group of men taken to Daws Road Military Hospital.
In November that year the Bridgewater community was able to welcome home Harry Radbone, having finally been released as a POW. It was also a joyous anniversary for the Methodist Sunday School with Geoff willingly stepped in to take the evening service. The following day he returned to his pre-war role as Sunday School Superintendent. The local Courier reported that ‘Mr. G. Radbone (recently discharged from the A.I.F.) gave the superintendent's address, and he expressed pleasure, at being back again, and thanked the teachers and Mr. Fielding for carrying on in his place. He presented each child with a book.’
Life in peacetime should have seen Geoff injury free and enjoying life. Aged 28 and working for Plywoods Limited at Hilton, he was involved in a shocking accident when his right hand was caught in a wood-cutting machine at the sawmill, severing four fingers and the top of his thumb in August ’46. Being right-handed, he determinedly learned to write, play tennis and adapt to life as a ‘lefty’.
Ironically, it was also a year to celebrate for Geoff. He returned to captain Aldgate’s A grade football team and more importantly, at Christmas time he married Molly Joy Symonds of Aldgate in the Ashton Memorial Church. His brother Harry and returned 2/48th mate Stuart Wood were chosen as his attendants. All three were significantly changed from the young men who had enlisted five years previously. Friendships forged during the war endured during peacetime. Geoff and then Sergeant Norman Badman SX7093 both served in the 2/48th Battalion, both were heavily involved in the Methodist church and were talented sportsmen. It was inevitable then, that Norm chose Geoff as his groomsman when he married Eunice Arthur in the Pinnaroo Methodist Church on the 16th October ’48.
Despite his hand injury Geoff was inspirational in his return to playing football in ‘47, creating a major upset with Aldgate defeating Forest Range. The local Courier reported that ‘Geoff Radbone (last year's A grade capt.) made a reappearance with Aldgate and must have given the team the necessary heart to strike form.’ Predictably, he was also named in the best players.’ Incredibly, he also won The Mail Medal in the Hills Football League. Geoff also ‘gave back’ to the sport he loved through field umpiring for several years, also earning life membership of the Aldgate football team in ‘53. He continued to hold positions of secretary and treasurer of the Southern Hills Tennis Club. As a tactician playing tennis, Geoff remained undefeated as the ‘first gentleman’ in the Aldgate tennis team until ‘54, earning the name of ‘an Aldgate reliable.’ He also proved to be a talented table tennis player, in both doubles and singles.
It was ironic that a soldier of Geoff’s calibre and having sustained multiple injuries on four different occasions, was considered without a disability and fit to work by the Commonwealth Employment Service. In a lengthy article in the January ’47 issue of the Mail, Geoff was specifically mentioned. ‘Although Mr. G. G. Radbone, of Aldgate, was wounded four times in the war, he did not qualify as a disabled person on his discharge. It took a peace-time factory accident, in which he lost all the fingers and half the thumb of the right hand, to bring him to the department. He had obtained by his own efforts, the job in which he was injured. Now he is a messenger in the Legislative Council and finds the job to his liking. Mr. Radbone was wounded twice while with the A.I.F. in the Middle East. He was hit by shrapnel just before Alamein, and during the battle itself a bullet took the middle joint of the centre finger of his left hand. In New Guinea he suffered a head wound on the way to Satelberg. Later, in Tarakan, a mortar burst put him out of action for the remainder of the war.’ Geoff’s work was at the Supreme Court as a tipstaff looking after juries, providing legal research and other duties.
Geoff and Molly welcomed their first child, a son, Kym Douglas (Doug), in February ’49, then three other children, Mark (deceased) Ian and Cynthia (Cindy).
A further highlight for Geoff was to be his youngest brother’s (Deane) best man when he married Valmai Purdie in October ’53.
Aged just 42, Geoff died on the 27th April 1960 in the Daw’s Road Repatriation Hospital where he was undertaking tests. The cause of death was given as Coronary Occlusion and Diabetes Mellitus which he suffered for 14 years. His youngest daughter, Cindy was only 17 months old when he died. His wife, Molly never remarried but was appreciative of the great support from Legacy extended to her family.
Geoff was buried in the Stirling Cemetery at Bridgewater where both his parents also rest. His mother, Louisa died in 1975.
Researched and written by Geoff’s son Doug and Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.