Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Glyn’s birth was announced in the local Adelaide newspapers in 1912 as ‘POPE - On the 25th March, at Divett-place, Alberton, to Mr. and Mrs. S. J. Pope—a son (Glyn Haddy).’ His parents were Samuel James Jackett and Mary Eileen Haddy and his siblings included two sisters, Elsie Madge, and Ethel.
Glyn’s childhood and early work life was spent in the Cheltenham area. Post school Glyn became a machinist. At the time industrial machinery was not necessarily well protected for those using it. Aged 25, Glyn was extremely fortunate not to sustain greater injury when his hand was severely gashed on his work equipment, causing him to be treated at the Adelaide Hospital. However, this did not prevent him from being part of the Citizen’s Forces.
Three years after his accident, Glyn enlisted on the 29th June ’40 to serve in WWII. He was allocated the number SX6915 and placed in the newly formed 2/48th Battalion. His early days were spent not far from home, in the cold of the Pavilions, now part of the Royal Adelaide Showgrounds. Following brief sick leave, he attended and performed credibly at training school, being described as “keen and able” a description that was evident throughout his time serving in the war. As a result of his performance, Glyn was promoted to Acting Corporal in October.
Brief pre-embarkation leave followed before Glyn and his fellow 2/48th Battalion boarded the Stratheden for the Middle East on the 7th November 1940 and disembarked on the 17th December. Once in the Middle East, his battalion completed a few months training in Cyrenaica where Glyn received a further promotion to Corporal. He and the battalion then headed to Tobruk at the start of April 1941 where the dust, flies, heat, minimal water supplies and constant bombardment were quite a challenge to the men. Glyn was to become one of the highly regarded Rats of Tobruk. However, the less than sanitary conditions resulting in him contracting tonsillitis and spending almost three weeks in hospital at the end of July, returning via the Signals Training Battalion, before returning to the 2/48th in time for Christmas.
The following year in July ’42 the now highly respected 2/48th Battalion was sent to El Alamein, in Egypt. Rommel had crossed into Egypt in late June ‘42, resulting in the 2/48th undertaking an offensive to capture Trig 33, which was achieved on the 10th July. In doing so, over 400 Italian prisoners were taken. The battalion then advanced south, capturing the Tel el Eisa station and repelling numerous counter attacks.
Unknown to Glyn, back home his 64-year-old mother, Mary, died in hospital August ’42 and was buried in the Cheltenham Cemetery. She continued to be remembered with the family placing a tribute to her in the August ’44 issue of the Advertiser. ‘POPE.—Treasured memories of our dear wife and mother, who passed away August 16, 1942.—For ever remembered by her husband, Glyn. Madge and Ethel.‘
October saw Glyn involved one of the fiercest battles with the 2/48th. Montgomery had ordered the 9th Battalion to attack northward, including an all-out attack on the strategically positioned Trig 29. The 2/48th Battalion prepared for the second battle of El Alamein which began on October 23rd. The evening was described by John Glenn in ‘Tobruk to Tarakan’ as ‘an occasional burst from a machine gun disturbed the night of 24th October. Nevertheless, it was a busy time for the tired men. Little or no sleep could be had. A hot meal sent forward after dark was quickly swallowed. There was no time for yarning. Defences had to be improved, more digging and wiring done, and patrols sent out.’ He later added that ‘the 2/48th had stirred up a real hornets’ nest.’ On that night alone 9 of the Battalion were killed and 20 wounded in action. Of these 16 were from South Australia and the remainder from Western Australia.
Glenn explains they were ‘running into particularly stiff opposition to the west of the Trig point. It was only after hard fighting, with heavy casualties on both sides, that they were able to consolidate on their objective. Gradually the platoon, small in number to start with, was being whittled away and those remaining were being forced to go to ground.’ Glyn was injured in this action with a gunshot wound in his right leg and thigh and also left arm. He was one of an extensive number recorded in the November ‘42 issue of the Chronicle with those from the 2/48th including;
Second List Killed In Action — SX11130 Pte. Ernest W S. Moore, Nth. Kensington; SX13756 Pte. Edward G. Davis, Salisbury. Dangerously Wounded.— SX8096 A-Cpl. Henry D. Laughton, King's Park; Wounded In Action. — SX10316 MJr. Geoffrey S. Edmunds, Toorak; SX9064 Lt. Hugh F. Treloar, Adelaide; SX8402 Pte. Arnold R. Dolan, Renmark; SX6832 Pte. Walter J. Fennell. Berri; SX13701 Pte. Frank M. Lowe, Whyalla; SX7609 Pte. Colin H. Rickard, Penola; SX7411 Pte. Walter H. J. Hay, Murray Bridge; SX7122 Pte. Percival G. Bartholomew, Narrung; SX3230 Pte. Leonard F. Adams, Brompton; SX7835 Pte. Clarence W. Duffleld. Glanville; SX7242 Pte. Paul A. Pfeiffer, Berri; SX6829 L-Cpl. Clement R. P. Billing, Pinnaroo; SX7666 Pte. Eric J. Chuck, Kalangadoo; SX8810 Pte. Howard R. Crabb, Whyalla; SX13683 Pte. Sydney L. Farrell Broken Hill: SX7657 Pte. Myles A. Geraghty. Pt . Macdonnell; SX9376 Pte. Harold H. Gogel Moorook; SX7642 Pte Donald J. Kerin, Burra; SX8837 Pte. Edgar V. W. Lynch, Adelaide; SX9445 Pte. Lawerence H. Mickan, Cummins; SX7025 A-L-Cpl. Paul B. Morrissey King's Park; SX9530 Pte. David R. Munn, Colonel Light Gardens: SX5030 Pte. Eric R. Olds. Adelaide: SX8239 Pte. Colin R. Parsons, Minlaton; SX6915 Cpl. Glyn H. Pope, Cheltenham; SX13012 Pte. Jack Ralla. Brompton; SX7410 Cpl. Robert F. G. Ranford, Davington; SX14283 Fte. John D Seebohm, Tantanoola; SX11302 Pte. Walter Sharp, Magill; SX7206 Pte. Ronald C. Smith, Helmsdale; SX6894 Pte. Thomas. Trish, Mile End; SX7221 Pte. William H. Vivian, Albert Park; SX7689 Pte. J. E. Wakeman, Robe; SX11160 Pte. Samuel E. Welsh, Adelaide; SX7808 Sgt, Jack K. Weston, Appila.
Glyn was hospitalised for over a month before returning to his battalion in time to leave the Middle East and return to Australia via Melbourne. Back home, it was discovered that there were still shrapnel fragments in his skin under his left elbow. These were treated and he spent time in the Lady Galway Convalescent Home.
Glyn had married Constance Margaret but conditions during war were not always conducive to stable marriages. Constance did not contest Glyn’s application for divorce on the grounds of desertion, which was granted in April ’44. With his mother’s death, Glyn initially nominating his older sister, Elsie as his next of kin, but then changed to his father.
In the meantime, Glyn’s battalion trained in Queensland in preparation for the tropical conditions they would face against a very different enemy in New Guinea. It was here that he earned the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his Courage, Gallantry and Leadership at Sykes Hill on the 5th May ’45. Two years later, this award was officially presented to Glyn at Government House in May ’47.
That award was earned when the 2/48th Battalion came under intense fire from the heavily armed and well dug in Japanese. Jogn Glynn described how C Company made ‘a frontal assault up a precipitous slope. Sergeant Glyn Pope was forced to halt 14 Platoon about fifty years from the top, the enemy above hurling down grenades, those on either flank opening up with machine-guns and rifle fire.’ Glenn continued ‘With great courage Sergeant Pope led the platoon up the slopes and had almost reached the crest when the enemy threw grenades and fused 75mm shells, at very close range, forcing them to withdraw.’
The troops continued to attempt further attacks but their casualties were mounting, with the platoon reduced to half strength, with Glyn also being wounded. However, he led a third attack, this time succeeding and taking the top of the ridge, whist also inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy. With numbers down to just eight men, ‘Sergeant Pope reorganised, then continued to fight along the ridge until he collapsed with wounds in the chest, hand and leg. Always to the fore, he had personally destroyed three Jap posts.’
Despite having his rifle shot away, Glyn continued ferociously with grenades. ‘He had carried out the orders he had been given – to take the ridge at all costs.’ This was the loss of six of his men killed and 26 wounded. A powerful image of a wounded Sergeant Pope appears in Tobruk to Tarakan.
Back home, the May issue of the Advertiser carried a short paragraph that ‘Mr S J. Pope, of Railway terrace. Cheltenham, has received advice that his only son, Sgt. G. H. Pope, was wounded early this month when landing at Tarakan.’ The Chronicle that month also gave an indication in its third list of those killed or wounded in the 2/48th Battalion at the same time as Glyn. They included;
Killed In Action. — SX1013 Lt. John M. Collier, Glenunga; SX 19552 Pte. Mervyn M. Arnold, Hilton; SX8737 L-Bdr. Ronald J. Tippins, Art., Tailem Bend. Died Of Wounds. — SX31782 Pte. Henry K. Johnston, Rosewater Wounded In Action. — SX12498 Lt. Kenneth F. Allen, Hayhurst; SX6837 Sgt. Dean H. Adams. Forestville; SX15180 Pte. Stephen J. Galvin. Saddleworth; SX30689 Pte. Glen McEwan, Prospect; SX6915 Sgt. G. H. Pope, Cheltenham. Seriously Wounded. — SX6894 L-Sgl. Thomas V. Trish Mile End.
By July ’45 the Advertiser carried a summary of the official Awards for Bravery. The Governor-General (HRH the Duke of Gloucester) was informed by the King of the awards to five South Australians for bravery in action in the Southwest Pacific area. One was the Distinguished Conduct Medal to Sgt. Glyn Haddy Pope, of Cheltenham. It read:
‘The platoon commanded by Sgt. Pope was halted 50 yards from their objective by heavy MG rifle fire and grenades. Showing great determination the platoon struggled up the slopes and almost reached the crest when the enemy threw down grenades and shells. Sgt. Pope reorganised the platoon and attacked but the platoon was again forced to withdraw. For the third time the platoon attacked and due to the outstanding courage of the platoon as a whole, and Sgt. Pope in particular, casualties were inflicted on the enemy and the remainder forced to withdraw. Although wounded Sgt. Pope led the attack personally. This NCO's utter disregard for personal safety, his outstanding courage and leadership and his refusal to admit defeat in what seemed an impossible situation was largely instrumental in the feature being captured and has inspired the whole Coy and earned admiration of every officer and man in the Bn.’
Glyn was finally discharged on the 19th September ’45 as officially ‘medically unfit’ and returned to being a wood machinist. He married Ivy Elizabeth Norton. Unfortunately, in January ’47, Glyn was caught returning to the recreational activities that marked typical soldiers – betting at the Woodville Hotel on Port Road. ‘Glyn Haddy Pope, wood machinist, of Woodstock street. Cheltenham, was yesterday fined £50. with £2 12/ costs. He pleaded not guilty.’ Of greater importance and cause for celebration was the arrival of twin daughters in March ’74 at the Queen Victoria Hospital. Almost a year later the family welcomed a son, Royce at the same hospital.
Glyn’s father lived to see his son receive his award, and the arrival of the four grandchildren. Samuel died on the 5th July ’48 and was buried in the Cheltenham Cemetery with his wife, Mary.
Aged 58, Glyn died on the 24th October 1970 and is interred in the Derrick Gardens at Centennial Park, Path 18 Plot 951A. His inscription reads ‘Remembered Forever Your Loving Wife Ivy and family’. Ivy lived to be 70 and died on the 19th January ’85. She now rests in the Enfield Memorial Park Cemetery Rose Gardens.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.