Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

‘Duty Nobly Done’
John Kelvin (called Kelvin) was born in Marrabel, SA on the 17th September, 1918. The name of this town is spelt in a variety of ways on his and brother Ivor’s enlistment papers as ‘Manabel’, ‘Warrabel’ and ‘Marrabel’. Situated in the mid-north of SA, Marrabel is a grain growing area, close to Kapunda and on the copper boom trail to Burra. Just prior to the outbreak of WWII, it became renowned for its annual Rodeo Riding carnival which followed.
His parents, John and Ethel May O’Leary had six children including Sylvie, Laurel, Ivor, Keith, Maureen and Courtney.
With the outbreak of WWII a huge campaign was underway in country areas, including nearby Eudunda, encouraging fit young men to enlist. Just prior to his 22nd birthday, Kelvin was one of the first young men who enlisted from Kapunda on the 23rd June ’40, being allocated the number SX6582 in the newly formed 2/48th Battalion. His younger brother, Ivor Allen also later enlisted and is recorded as having two enlistment numbers, SX13455 and SX500414.
Kelvin’s initial days were spent in the cold of the Pavilions, now part of the Royal Adelaide Showgrounds before he and other new enlistees headed to Woodside for their preliminary training. Pre-embarkation leave gave Kelvin time to return home for time with his family and community.
Returning to the 2/48th the Battalion contingent then embarked on the Stratheden for the Middle East, on the 7th November 1940, arriving on the 19th December 1940 where his Battalion completing a few months training in Cyrenaica. From there, Kelvin was soon on his way to serve in Tobruk, Syria and Egypt. By the start of April 1941, the 2/48th were in Tobruk where the dust, flies, heat, minimal water supplies and constant bombardment were quite a challenge to new enlistees. They were to become the famed Rats of Tobruk.
In the fierce fighting for Tel el Eisa, a high price had been paid. Kelvin was just 23 when he died of his wounds on the 26th July ’42. John Glen In Tobruk to Tarakan observed that ‘On the tortured, bloody slopes of this sandy ridge fifty-three men had been killed and sixty-nine wounded.’ He added that there was little rest for the tired men ‘new positions were dug, well forward, wired and mined. Active patrolling was maintained every night, deep into No Man’s Land.’
Perhaps a stanza of a poem penned by Padre Archbold at the time, titled A Tribute summarises the young men like Kelvin who lost their lives at this time.
‘Though willing be the flesh of gallant men,
The strongest, bravest spirit is subdued
When overwhelming weight of force and fire
Batters and blast, as wounded rise again
To reach a comrade’s side to render aid
Or to press on in desert’s heat, where shade
And water are but things to torment those
Who think and suffer lying near their foes.

The Price! Men in pride and strength of youth
Referring death, with loyalty and truth,
If that the price must be, which faint heart chills,
Accept the hazards of their own free wills,
No cheap bravado but a deep sincerity
Called them from distant shores and homes and love,
And Tel el Eisa’s crosses of eternity
Are unforgotten, as our deeds shall prove.’

Back home, the Chronicle reported Kelvin’s death in August ’42 with SX8213 Sgt. Lester H. Johnson, 2/48th Renmark ; SX8183 L/Sgt. Prime W. Willmott, inf., Adelaide.2/48th SX6582 Pte. John K. O'Leary, 2/48th Eudunda who died of his wounds. Also listed were five from the sister Battalion, the 2/43rd.
The heart-breaking news also appeared in the Kapunda Herald early in August. ‘Mr and Mrs J. O'Leary, of Mildred street, Kapunda, have received information that their son, Pte Kelvin O'Leary, has died of wounds received in action abroad. Pte O'Leary, who was in his 24th year, was one of the first to enlist from Kapunda. Another brother is also serving with the AIF.’ The Adelaide Advertiser carried the news in September. ‘Mr. and Mrs. John O'Leary, of Kapunda, have been notified that their son, Dvr. J. K. O'Leary, died of wounds received in action abroad on July 26. He enlisted at Eudunda in June 1940, and had been overseas for 15 months. He was in Tobruk for three months.’
Typically, country families shared the O’Leary’s sorrow, prompting a heartfelt ‘Thank you’ in both the Kapunda Herald and the Advertiser. ‘Mr. and Mrs. John O'Leary and family, of Kapunda, wish to Thank all kind friends and relatives for letters, telegrams, cards and personal expressions of sympathy in the recent sad loss of their dear son and brother, Driver John Kelvin O'Leary, who died of wounds received in action abroad. Please accept this as a personal expression of gratitude.’
With peace finally declared, local communities sought to honour their young men who had paid the ultimate price during the war. Kapunda chose a Memorial Plaque to be placed on the Soldiers' Monument in memory of those who died on Active Service. Kelvin’s was one of the names to be placed on the Plaque along with C. Bennett, D. Betterman, H. Boully, L. C. Dadds, L. M. Doherty, D. B. Giles, L. L. Giles, S. M. Giles, P. B. Giles, J. Kelvin, E. Kleinig, A. D. Kotz, T. P. Laintoll, R, Mayger, A. J. Noack, K. O'Leary, L. J. O'Shea, R. G. Reed, L. O. Schwartzkopff, N. L. Thomas, E. Trinne.
Kelvin was finally re-buried in the El Alamein War Cemetery in March ‘45 in Plot A1 Row B Grave 3 where his parents chose the inscription ‘Duty Nobly Done’ for his headstone. He rests with other young men from the 2/2nd 2/6th 2/24th 2/27th 2/43rd and three Flying Officers from the RAAF
His family continued to remember their son and brother.
Advertiser Monday 10 August 1942, O’LEARY.—Died of wounds on July 26. Driver John Kelvin O'Leary dearly beloved eldest son of John and Ethel O'Leary, Kapunda and brother of Sylvie, Laurel, Ivor (serving In AIF. abroad), Keith, Maureen and Courtney, in his 24th year. His duty nobly done.
Advertiser Monday 26 July 1943, O'LEARY.—In loving memory of Kelvin, killed at El Alamein July 26 1942. Ever remembered by Auntie Agnes and Uncle Ted. O’LEARY, Dvr. J. K. —In loving memory of dear Kelvin, who died of wounds Middle East. July 26. 1942.— Ever remembered by Hilda. O’LEARY.—In loving memory of Driver J. K. O-Leary (Kelv) Died of wounds July 26, 1942. Deep in our hearts a memory is kept of one we'll never forget. lnserted by his loving parents, sister and brother, Maureen and Courtney. O'LEARY A tribute to our brother, Driver John Kelvin, who died of wounds July 26 1942. His happy face and cheerful ways will linger with us all our days. Remembered by his sister Sylvia and brother Keith O'LEARY.—A proud and loving tribute to the memory of brother Kelvin died of wounds El Alamein. July 26. 1942.—Ever remembered by his loving sister Laurel and brother Ivor, AIF. O'LEARY.- in memory or our friend Kelvin, who died ot wounds on July 26. —Remembered by Lorna and Melva Prior. O'LEARY In memory of dear Kelvin, died of wounds in El Alamein July 26 1942-—Ever remembered by auntie and uncle. M. and P. Casey. A token of remembrance of the men of the 2/7th Field Regt who paid the supreme sacrifice In July. In silence we'll remember them. —2/7tb Field Regt. Club
Advertiser Wednesday 26 July 1944, O'LEARY.—Memory of Kelvin, died ot wounds, El Alamein July 26. 1942.—Remembered by Auntie Agnes. O'LEARY.—In memory of dear Kelvin, died of wounds. El Alamein. July 26, 1942. —Always remembered by auntie and uncle M and P. Casey. O'LEARY. —In loving memory of brother Kelvin, died of wounds. El Alamein. July 26. 1942. Beneath the cross of sacrifice In a soldier's grave, his comrades laid him dawn to rest, among the honored brave.—Ever remembered by his loving sister and brother. Laurel, Ivor O'LEARY.—In loving memory of our dear son. Kelvin (Pat), died of wounds at El Alamein. July 26 1942. No one knows the heartache, only those can tell, who have lost a loving son without a last farewell.—Ever remembered by mother and father. O'LEARY.— In loving memory of dear brother. Kelvin (Pat) died of wounds El-Alamein. July 26. 1942. To be with us in the same old way. would be our dearest wish today.—Ever remembered by his loving brother Keith. O'LEARY.—In loving memory of my dear brother Kelvin, who died of wounds July 26. 1942.— Ever remembered by his loving sister and brother-in-law Sylvia and Gus.
Advertiser Saturday 26 July 1947, O'LEARY. —In memory of our brother Kelvin, died of wounds El Alamein July 26 1942 A thought today, a memory forever. Inserted by his brother and sister. Courtney and Moreen. O'LEARY —In fond memory of brother Kelvin, who made the supreme sacrifice on July 26. 1942. at El Alamein.—Ever remembered by his brothers Keith and Ivor. O'LEARY.—In proud memory of our dear son Kelvin, died of wounds, El Alamein July 26 1942. We often sit and think of you Kelvin, and your grave too far away to see, but no one can take your place at home. —Sadly missed by mother and father. O'LEARY. —In loving memory of my dear brother Kelvin died or wounds, El Alamein, July 26 1942. Dearer to me than words can tell is the brother I lost and loved so well. —Always remembered by sister Laurel. O'LEARY —In memory of dear Kelvin, died of wounds, El Alamein. July 26. 1942. —Always remembered by auntie and uncle. —M. and P. Casey. O'LEARY. —In fond memory of Kelvin, killed at El Alamein. July 26. 1942.— Ever remembered by auntie and Uncle Ted.
Advertiser Tuesday 27 July 1948, O'LEARY.—A tribute in memory of our dear brother Kelvin, died of wounds El Alamein. July 26. 1942. Memories stay as the years pass by. — Inserted by his sister and brother Maureen and Cortney. O'LEARY. —Treasured memories of loving son Kelvin, died of wounds. El Alamein. July 26. 1942. —Dearly remembered by those who loved him, mother and father. O'LEARY.—In fond memory of dear brother Kelvin, died of wounds, EI Alamein. July 26. 1942. A leaf in the book of memories is gently turned today. —Ever remembered, sister Laurel. O'LEARY.—In loving memory brother Kelvin, died of wounds. El Alamein July 26 1942. With farewells left unspoken, he softly passed away. —Sadly missed by brothers Ivor and Kelvin
Advertiser Tuesday 26 July 1949, O'LEARY. —In loving memory of our dear son and brother Kelvin, died of wounds El Alamein. July 26. 1942. Too dearly loved to be forgotten. Forever remembered by loving mother and father, and brother Courtney. O'LEARY. —In fond memory of my dear brother Kelvin, died of wounds. El Alamein, July 26. 1942 Gone but not forgotten. —Remembered by his fond brother Ivor. O'LEARY. —Cherished memories of my dear brother Kelvin, died of wounds, El Alamein July 26 1942. A dear brother never to be forgotten. Inserted by his brother Keith. O'LEARY. In fond memory of my dear brother Kelvin, died of wounds, El Alamein, July 26, 1942. Years are passing, but love and memories are everlasting. —Always remembered by his loving sister Laurel.

Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.