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Australia

The McKinnon family were fourth generation residents of Mt Gambier in the south-east of South Australia. Neil was the first son born to Coral Clark Kay and Neil Henry McKinnon on the 28th November 1919, carrying the first name of both his father and grandfather. He later chose to be known by his middle name, Kay, perhaps to avoid confusion. However, he later returned to being called Neil as his Army service developed. His younger brother, Donald was born in 1923, but when he enlisted claimed 1918 as his date of birth, ironically making him ‘older’ than Neil. The family were strong Catholics and extremely proud of their Scottish heritage and involvement in the Caledonian Society but at times the frugality associated with this came to the fore when the boys were young. Their father was caught ‘watering down’ milk by 25% and despite protestations, was fined.
Neil, by this time being called by his middle name ‘Kay’ was a talented student at the Mount Gambier Primary School. In both ’30 and ‘31 he was listed as obtaining full marks for the Primary School Shield. In later year he was also awarded the Most Improved Award. Kay (Neil) also gained passes in Woodwork in ensuing years. In a widely reported mystery, prior to the commencement of school in ’35, 15-year-old Neil went into Mount Gambier to make purchases for his mother, but went missing for a number of days, eventually returned home after a week. The reason for his disappearance was not revealed. However, his school performance continued to be exemplary when he continued at the Mount Gambier High School.
At the end of 1936 the local Border Watch newspaper carried an article in which Neil was praised for his wonderful school record. “Master Kay McKinnon, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Neil McKinnon, of Craiglea, Gambier West, has attended school for twelve years and has never once been absent. For seven years he was a pupil of the Primary School, and for five years of the High School. He has been dux of his class, and for this year is acting as editor of the High School magazine. This is surely a wonderful achievement, especially as he lives two miles from school, and is a splendid example of enthusiasm and perseverance.” He sat for his Leaving Exams that year, passing in English, Chemistry, Economics, History and Drawing. His leadership skills continued to be recognised with him being named as a prefect at Mount Gambier High School in ’37.
That year, with the incumbent leaving the role of Local Court Officer, the May issue of the Border Watch reported that ‘Mr. Collins has been succeeded by Mr Kay McKinnon, son of Mr. Neil McKinnon, Gambier West. He is a Mount Gambier High School boy, who holds a Leaving Certificate.’ Neil continued to keep in contact with his school friends, playing in an Old Scholars’ cricket team, whilst also continuing with his studies at the Technical School, gaining passes in both Book-keeping and Shorthand grade I. At the time, he also served in the Light Horse Brigade.
By June ’39, after two years as a junior clerk in the local court House, Neil was appointed to the Adelaide Police Courts. As a farewell, local court staff and police officers presented him with a leather wallet.
With the outbreak of WWII, younger brother, Don enlisted at the local Mount Gambier Drill Hall on the 21st May ‘40 as SX3156 and claiming to be 21 years old (and therefore ‘older’ than Neil.).
The following month Neil enlisted on the 25th June ’40 at Wayville where he was allocated the number SX6740 initially in the 2/43rd Battalion. Unfortunately, in September he contracted tonsillitis which resulted in several days’ leave. At this stage he was already targeted as potential Officer candidate. Following leave to return home for Christmas, Neil was quickly recommended as a Platoon Commander in May ’41 with the comment that ‘Despite his comparatively low results he should make a good Commander.’. By June ’41 Neil was briefly posted to the 2/27th Battalion as a Lieutenant. This news was proudly shared in the Border Watch back home. By October that year Neil was allocated to the 2/48th Battalion as a reinforcement. At the end of that month he had embarked for overseas duty, arriving in the Middle East at the end of November. He was unfortunate to contract a kidney infection, causing him to be hospitalised for several days early in ’42. That year Neil had undertaken a course with the Intelligence Wing, with his results supporting the prediction of him being a good leader. The comment this time was that he ‘obtained excellent results both in examination and practical work’ with a healthy overall grade of 92.8%.
Whilst leading a patrol in July ’42, then Lieutenant Neil discovered a sizable dump of Italian ammunition and stores. On being advised of this windfall, headquarters ‘suggested that trucks should be sent out by a circuitous route in the hope of misleading the enemy into thinking they were his own’. Consequently, in a subsequent foray, eight vehicles in groups of twos and threes retrieved a large stash of rifles and ammunition, despite the noise of loading such equipment. The ruse worked until ‘Jerry began to wonder just exactly whose ruddy trucks they were out there under his nose.’ A strategic withdrawal ensued, with additional ammunition being a welcome supplement to supplies.
Neil was then detached to the 9th Infantry Special Group and by August was commanding 8 Platoon.
By March ’43 Neil and his brother left the Middle East, returning to Australia via Melbourne and home on leave. Relatives anxiously waited for news of when their sons would return, although there was no official notification. However, the ‘bush telegraph’ was soon buzzing in Mount Gambier that the Saturday evening train from Adelaide would carry many local boys returning from the Middle East. The local Border Watch in March reported that ‘the railway station was crowded as never before. The Railway authorities showed much consideration for wives, mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, and sweethearts who were awaiting the return of their loved ones, and amid cheers the train arrived right on time, and a crowd of a thousand people were on their toes as it steamed in.’ The men were greeted by the Citizens’ Band and Pipe Bands.
A huge welcome was given at the Civic Hall with returning men praising the magnificent work done by the F.F.C.F., the Salvation Army, the Red Cross, and the nursing sisters in supporting those serving overseas. Both brothers, Lieutenant Neil and Private Don McKinnon were amongst those honoured.
Training in Queensland followed before Neil was then heading to the tropical conditions of New Guinea.
Darren Paech noted in his book Adelaide to Alamein, that ‘Later in 1943, after the Lae operation, the 2/48th Battalion was deployed to the eastern tip of New Guinea to operate around a town called Finschhafen as part of an Allied effort to destroy the remaining enemy forces on the island.’ Under Ivor’s command were three young lieutenants ‘all in their 20s named Dodd, McKinnon and Thomas.’ This was an indication of the huge turnover of men with only two of the original 30 remaining in the old 8th Platoon from Tobruk in 1941.’ On September 24th, ‘Diver’ Derrick in his diaries, edited by Mark Johnson, mentioned that “The day and night was free from all enemy disturbances. Mr McKinnon taking out a fighting patrol.” (This was something the 2/48th did each night.)
Derrick initially continued to refer to Neil as “Mr McKinnon.”. On the 30th September, ’42 Derrick commented on “a little excitement this morning, 3 of our carriers returning from patrol wk caused a stand to and it was worth watching, every man on his job in about 30 secs, a tk gun included, & I fancy our carriers were mighty lucky. Going on a fighting patrol this evening. My first this time in. Left 1930 hrs with 5 ORs. Mr McKinnon to contact us at 2115 with a similar number. Reported a Jerry patrol was out also.” He. Derrick later wrote “Met MackMac & Co at 0250, returned to post at 0330.”
By the 3rd November, Derrick referred toPerhaps Neil had finally earned Derrick’s respect as he then referred to Neil by his correct rank in relation to a move the following day. “Lieut McKinnon, S/Maj Loveday & Cpl Mackay returned this arvo, and very pleasing our strength now: 3 & 70.”
ThenSimilarly, in the diary entry for 11th November, Derrick wrote “8 Pl moving out on a pretty risky patrol well into enemy territory. Lieut McKinnon in charge, our strength 25 – Going very difficult.” He records meeting with Sgt Ashby and ‘exchanging notes’ when 5 Japs appeared and were promptly dealt with.” The risky patrol referred to wasoccurred as a result of McKinnon’s patrol being directed to a feature called Steeple Tree Hill, known to be a Japanese patrol base. However, due to a faulty map, the designation was for a site 2400, rather than the correct 2600was2600.
Neil was also heavily involved in the November ’43 attack on Sattelberg. John Glenn explained that ‘The track was narrow, soft and twisted and turned along the razor-back ridge. Lieutenant Neil took a patrol from A Company through the jungle to the north of Sisi Village, whilst D Company moved in from the east, placing a 30 strong Jap force between them. ‘five of the enemy were killed, eight were wounded, and the rest were sent screaming for cover.’
Later that month on the 19th Neil was again involved in an attempt to outflank the well-entrenched Japanese. Having found that tanks were unable to move on the ridge ‘engineers were instructed to prepare two six-gallon drums of petrol and diesoline, a mixture known as fou to be used on the enemy positions.’ Neil’s A company was removed slightly with the intention of moving in whilst the fou was burning. ‘It burst the drums, covering the enemy positions with a pall of smoke.’ Unfortunately, the fou went out, rather than burning for the anticipated five or six minutes.’ However, the men were assembled, with A Company moving in from the right flank, taking the high ground after twenty minutes of intensive firing. This area later became known as Fougasse Corner.
By March ’44 Neil’s younger brother, Don was also serving in the 2/48th Battalion. The following month Neil was able to return to Australia via Brisbane but an injury to his right foot continued to be troublesome for several days. He again continued to undertake military courses, this time in Map Reading and Field Sketching, scoring 88% for his written exam and 76 for the practical.
Neil enjoyed ten days of leave with his parents in January ’45 with the local Border Watch reporting that ‘Lieut. McKinnon, who has been on service in the Middle East and New Guinea, left by plane for Canberra, where he will go to Duntroon College.’ He remained there undertaking different courses, when he learned of Don’s death at the hands of a sniper. The sniper had established a position high up in the trees. From there he was responsible for five deaths; Lieutenant Burke, Lance Sergeant Eric Gooden SX8911, Don, and Privates Merv Arnold SX19552 and Finlay Barnett SX10571. With news of his brother’s death, Neil briefly flew home to mourn the loss with the family.
Inevitably, Neil returned to his responsibilities, being posted to Port Moresby in July. He was finally discharged on the 6th December ’45 heading back to South Australia from Melbourne.
Post war, Neil enjoyed his well-earned leave. By June ’49 the Border Watch carried an announcement ‘ON WAY TO ENGLAND IN SAILING SHIP When he read in a paper on Sunday that the sailing ship, the Passat had delayed, sailing from Port Victoria for England because several members of the crew were not available, Mr Neil McKinnon applied for the job and got it. Mr. McKinnon, who is a son of Mr. and Mrs. Neil McKinnon, of Ellis Street, Mount Gambler, is a clerk with the Adelaide Police Court. He had booked a passage on the Moreton Bay for England leaving on June 10 but decided that a 90-day trip on one of the few remaining sailing ships would be more interesting. The Passat has a cargo of wheat for England. She will sail around New Zealand and Cape Horn. First land she will touch is likely to be Spain. Mr. McKinnon had eight months accumulated leave when discharged from the Army and he decided to spend it in England. He was a clerk in the Mount Gambier Court before enlisting.’
By September that year, Neil cabled his family that he had completed the 110 day’s voyage, which had gone directly to England without berthing on the way.
Aged 90, Neil died on the 14th November 2010, and was privately cremated.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.