Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Named after his father, John was born in North Sydney on the 16th April 1918 to John and Constance Minehan Brice on the 16th April 1918. John Jnr was one of three sons and six daughters with his siblings including Wallace Raymond, Eric Rex, Connie, Gloria, Val, Felicity and Natalie Dawn. Their father, John Snr was born in Plymouth, England and had initially lived in Sydney, before moving to live in Broken Hill. John Jnr, known as Jack, attended the local North Sydney school, but the younger children attended the Broken Hill School when the family moved to the town.
Jack followed his father in becoming a miner. However, with the outbreak of WWII he was one of the early enlistees on the 29th June 1940, being given the number SX6827 and allocated to the newly formed 2/48th Battalion. The local Barrier Miner listed the names of thirty young men who express-trained from Broken Hill to Adelaide on the 24th to enter the Wayville Reception Depot. Of these, six were to be allocated to the 2/48th with Jack. They included SX6786 Murray Farquhar, Tom Colling SX6729, Harold Cool SX6627 John Huxtable SX6900 and Herbert Holdaway SX6762.
In an early book by Murray Farquhar ‘Derrick V.C.’ published in ‘82 emphasis was made on the wide range of towns from which South Australians enlisted. Included in this was Broken Hill ‘long regarded as part of the southern state in attitude, commerce and personal inclination’ and which ‘provided its quota of miners and stockhands to the battalion.’ Farquhar mentioned that Diver (Derrick) mated up with Jack Brice from Broken Hill, Lance Chapman from Moonta, Ike Rodda from Kadina and Tom Hill from the City.’
Following training at Woodside, Jack and the new enlistees boarded the Stratheden on the 7th November, arriving in the Middle East on the 17th December. In the dust, desert conditions, flies and heat, Jack contracted a painful skin condition which caused copious raised lumps to form on his skin resulting in him being hospitalised for a fortnight in January. In an attempt to demoralise the troops, the Germans dropped leaflets deriding the conditions under which the men were living ‘like rats’ in their hand-hewn dugouts. Typically, the Australian’s adopted the term as one of pride, claiming the title of being a Rat of Tobruk as a badge of honour.
At the end of May ’41, Derrick made a list of the men left in his platoon, which included Jack. The numbers were to be badly decimated; just two months later Jack was killed in action at Tobruk. Derrick kept an almost daily diary, which has since been documented with meticulous explanatory notes by Mark Johnston in ‘Derrick VC In His Own Words’.
Jack was just 23 when he was killed by a direct enemy shell hit on a food post. Derrick recorded that the ‘pasting continued for days. On 4th July, American Independence Day, he wrote “Fritz has just scored a lucky one on our firing aperture, and Jack Brice has been killed, Tommy Hill a nasty head wound, Jack Pascoe face injuries and head wounds. A stretcher bearer also slightly wounded’ ‘Cleaning up after such an incident is gruesome.’
Back home the Chronicle reported his death on the 24th July and the names of others from his 2/48th Battalion. They included: Killed In Action.— Pte. John B. Brice, SX6827, Broken Hill, N.S.W. Died Of Wounds.— A/Cpl. Arville T. Todd, SX9384, Berri, S.A.; Wounded In Action.— Pte. Albert J. Pascoe, SX4804, South Broken Hill (N.S.W.) and Pte. C. B. Rule, SX7313, Fullarton.
The July ’41 edition of the Barrier Miner shared the sad news with the community that ‘Mr. and Mrs. J. Brice, of 327 Zebina Street, have been informed by the Defence Department that their son, Private John Basil Brice (23), was killed in action on July 4. Private Brice was born in Sydney and was educated at the North Public School. He was employed in the mill at the South Mine. He was a member of the United Tramways Rifle Club and of the W.I.U. Two brothers and six sisters live in Broken Hill.’ With information and details scarce, the following day the newspaper published a grainy image of Jack and added more information.
‘Private John (Jock) Basil Brice, SX6827, 23 years of age, and the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Brice, of 327 Zebina Street, who was killed in action on July 4. The message conveying the news to the parents did not state where the action took place in which their son was killed, but from his last letters It is believed that he was one of the beleaguered garrison at Tobruk. The photograph above was made from a snap taken at Tel Aviv. Private Brice enlisted here a few days over a year ago. He was employed on the South Mine mill, and was a member of the W.I.U. of A. He was fond of shooting and was at one time a member of the West Rifle Club but inter transferred to the Tramway Club. A letter was received by Mr. and Mrs. Brice only last Friday in which Private Brice said that they were all well and mentioned that he had seen two other locals, Eddie Bollen and 'Buddy' Rogers.’
Just months later, on the 10th October, Jack’s 18-year-old brother Wallace (who had also worked as a mill hand) became S111790 before then joining the Navy as P.A. 3931 just days after his 20th birthday in May ’43.
Jack continued to be remembered by his family, fellow soldiers and friends in the ensuing years on the anniversary of his death. However, his mother’s details as his original next of kin had changed, it was not until she wrote in April ’57, that Jack’s precious medals were finally forwarded to her.
Barrier Daily Truth Saturday 4 July 1942, BRICE. J. B—In sad and loving memory of our dear Son and Brother (Jack), who was killed in action at Tobruk, July 4th, 1941. How we miss you Jack. Sad and sudden was the call, To be taken from us all. The blow was hard the shock severe, To part with our son and brother so dear. A silent thought brings many a tear, Of a brother we miss and loved so dear. —Inserted by his loving dad and mum, brothers and sisters. BRICE. J. B.—In memory of Jack, who was killed in action at Tobruk July 4th, 1941. Just a token true and tender, To show dear Jack I still remember. —Inserted by his comrade Walter Fennell 2/48th. A.I.F., abroad. BRICE.—In loving memory of our esteemed Friend (Jack), who was killed in action July 4th, 1941. Ever remembered —Inserted by his pals (Jock and Shirty). BRICE.—In loving memory of our esteemed Friend (Jack), who was killed in action at Tobruk, 4th July, 1941. Always remembered —Inserted by his loving friends, Sadie and Harold. BRICE.—In loving memory of my esteemed, Friend Jack ("Johnnie"), who was killed in action at Tobruk, 4th July, 1941. Thoughts drift back to bygone days, Life moves on, but memory stays. —Inserted by his pal, Garnet Virgo. BRICE.—In loving memory of our esteemed Friend, Jack ("Johnnie"), who was killed in action at Tobruk, 4th July, 1941. —Ever remembered by the Virgo family. BRICE.—In loving memory of J. B. (Jack) Brice, killed in action Tobruk July 4, 1941. —Inserted by L. Shadwick and W. Harris.
Barrier Miner Saturday 3 July 1943, BRICE. - In loving memory of J. B. "Jack" Brice, AIF, who was killed in action on July 4, 1941. Ever remembered by his pal, Mick Wayman. BRICE. - In loving memory of J. B. ("Jack") Brice, killed in action Tobruk, 4th July, 1941. Inserted by esteemed friend "Willie."
Barrier Miner Tuesday 4 July 1944, BRICE.—In loving memory of my comrade (Jack), of the 2/48th AIF, who was killed in action on July 4, 1941. Today I'm thinking of you, dear Jack, A thought today, Jack. But always the beautiful memory Of a great little pal lingers with me. Inserted by Tom Hill. BRICE.—In loving memory of my esteemed friend (Jack), killed in action at Tobruk, July 4, 1941. Inserted by his esteemed friend (Willie).
Barrier Miner Wednesday 4 July 1945, BRICE. - In memory of Jack, killed in action at Tobruk July 4, 1941. Ever remembered by his pal, Pte. Harry Birt (AIF). BRICE. - In fond memory of my esteemed friend (Jack), killed in action at Tobruk,- July 4, 1941. Inserted by Willy.
Barrier Miner Thursday 4 July 1946, BRICE. — In loving memory of my pal, Jack, killed in action July 4, 1941. Always remembered. Inserted by his pal, ‘Jock.’
Barrier Daily Truth Thursday 3 July 1947, BR1CE— In loving memory ot my Pal. Jack. who was killed in action July 4. gone but not forgotten. —Inserted by his pal. Garnet Virso. BRICE — In loving memory of our Esteemed Friend, Jack Brice, who was killed in action, July 4. —Always remembered by his friends. Sadie and Harold Williams. J BRICE — In loving memory of our son Jack (2/48th A.I.F.)--. killed In action July 4th 1941. Within our store of memories, you hold a place apart. No one else could ever be so cherished in our hearts. Forever in our hearts. Mum and Dad. BRICE — In loving memory of our dear brother Jack, killed in action Tobruk 6 years ago. Years may dawn and fade away, But memories will always stay. —Inserted by his brothers and sisters. BRICE — In sad but loving memory of our dear brother and brother-in-law, Pte. Johnny Brice. killed in action at Tobruk on July 4. 1941. A wonderful brother laid to rest. For each and all he did his best; Happy and smiling always content Loved and respected wherever he went. He never complained, he wasn’t that kind. A better brother, no one could find. — Inserted by Connie and Bill. BRICE — In memory of Jack, killed in action on July 4. 1941. — Ever remembered by his pal. Harry. BRICE — In loving memory of my friend. Jack, killed in action on July 4. Always remembered by his pal Jock.
Barrier Miner Saturday 3 July 1948, BRICE.—In loving memory of our brother Jack, who was killed in action at Tobruk, 1941. His memory is a keepsake, From which I shall never part. God has Him in his keeping, I have him in my heart. Inserted by his sister Connie and brother-in-law Bill.
Barrier Miner Tuesday 4 July 1950, BRICE:-In loving memory of Jack killed in action, Tobruk. Always remembered by sister (Connie) brother-in-law (Bill).
On Anzac day in 1950, The local Broken Hill’s Community Fallen Soldiers' Memorial carried a wealth of floral and other tributes to the fallen in World War 1 and 2. Included was a wreath ‘In memory of our dear son Jack Brice, from the family.’
Barrier Daily Truth Saturday 3 July 1954, BRICE. — In loving memory of our brother Jack, killed in action Tobruk July 4, 1941. Sunshine passes, shadows fall, But our memories of you outlast all. — Remembered by Connie and Bill. BRICE. — In loving memory of Jack, killed in action Tobruk July 4, 1941. They say time heals heart ache. And helps us to forget, But time so far has only proved, How much we miss you yet — Remembered by Mother and Eric.
Jack now rests in the Tobruk War Cemetery, Plot 4 Row G Grave11. Nearby are others from his Battalion, including 21-year-old SX8429 Private William R. Songer, and 21-year-old SX9384 Corporal A.T. Todd.
For his headstone, the family chose the engraving ‘Years roll on, memories stay, as near and dear as yesterday’.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.