Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Irish born William Charles Capel Supple was a man of the land who worked as a labourer and bushman. Much of his time was spent in country regions where he worked with a variety of stock, including camels, horses and bullocks. Aged 31 he enlisted to serve in WWI when 31 years old as 4851. At that stage he and his wife, Mary had three children, Thomas William, Rachel Anne and Samuel. Not an educated man, William marked his enlistment papers with an ‘X’, which was then witnessed, in acknowledgement of their accuracy of detail. Despite his willingness to serve, it was found that his eyesight was extremely poor which he put down to having experienced ‘sandy blight’ eight years prior to enlisting. Further testing revealed he was unable to distinguish raised fingers, a pipe, coin or knife at 6 metres and was observed to have unequal sized pupils. He was eventually discharged as medically unfit to serve because of his ‘defective eyesight’ in October 1915, just prior to Jack’s arrival.
Jack was born in Adelaide two months later, on the 10th December 1915. This placed significant pressure on the family finances with Jack later becoming the much-loved foster son of C.J. Harrison, another Bowden family.
Jack was particularly passionate about football, and his local Brompton team, but also attended events held by the Henley and Grange football Club. Cricket was also an interest, despite his oldest brother, 26-year-old Thomas being injured as a wicket-keeper when playing in the parklands in January ’33. At the time, young players were emulating the body-line tactics employed by Englishmen against Bradman. Thomas was struck above the eye by a fast ball on the leg side. He had to be taken to hospital with three other players who had received facial lacerations. The News reported that ‘Feeling ran so high about body-line bowling in a match between youths in the West Parklands yesterday that a batsman and the leg theory bowler came to blows. Similar affrays and instances of injury have been reported in all States since the leg theory craze has passed from the Tests to parklands matches.’
The Supple children attended the local St Joseph’s school at Brompton before Jack pursued employment as a casual labourer. He was unfortunate to be ‘nabbed’ for riding two abreast on his bike during a blitz, which attached a fine of 10/- with 10/- cost. Quite hefty for a labourer in those times. Then, with the outbreak of WWII, 24-year-old Jack enlisted on the 20th June 1940, closely followed by his older brother, 28 year old Samuel three days later. Jack was allocated the number SX6108 and Sam SX6755. Both were eventually placed in the newly formed 2/48th Battalion. Jack gave his mother as his next of kin, probably because her health and eyesight were better than his father’s.
The brothers and other new enlistees were initially housed in the Motor Pavilion of what is now the Royal Adelaide Showgrounds. Their ‘beds’ were straw filled hessian on wooden pallets. The young men were later given kitbags on which their names were stencilled.
On subsequent days, the battalion headed to Woodside in the Adelaide Hills for preliminary training. At the end of August, Jack sustained unexplained injuries which caused a Court of Inquiry to be held, but the injuries were found to be not due to his own neglect or by another person. Following leave in October, Jack and his fellow members of the 2/48th Battalion then embarked on the Stratheden for the Middle East, on the 10th April ’41, arriving on the 15th May. The young men then marched to a Staging Camp until July before returning to their battalion. During those early days in the Middle East, besides regular army duties was the need to quickly adapt to the locals as well as soon being involved in intense conflicts where the reputation of the 2/48th Battalion for being the most highly decorated but decimated battalion was earned. He and Sam were to become one of the highly respected and famed Rats of Tobruk.
In July, Jack’s battalion was undertaking a change-over in the Salient. Aged just 25, Jack was killed in action by a mortar bomb on July 1st ’41. John Glenn in Tobruk to Tarakan records that ‘The changeover had not been carried out without loss. B Company came under heavy fire from machine-guns, artillery and mortars as they were moving in, and Private J. Supple was killed and a corporal and four others were wounded.’
Back home, the Adelaide based newspapers all carried the names of the two killed and eleven wounded in that action. Joseph Clark, SX1079, a driver, was the other soldier who lost his life. From Jack’s battalion, Private Paul Pfeiffer SX7242 was wounded but survived the war.
Jack was initially buried in Grave 514 at Tobruk but was later interred in the Tobruk War Cemetery in Plot 4 Row F Grave 3. He now rests with others who were killed on the same day, including W. F. Owen SX7628 from the 2/48th and others from the AASC, the 2/4th, 2/13th and 2/15th. His family chose the inscription ‘Not just today but every day, in silence we remember’ for his headstone.
The family continued to remember Jack in the ensuing years. His Hindmarsh Football Club, also paid tribute to Jack, Bill Slavens SX5795 who died of wounds in Libya on 9th Jan ’42 aged 23 and 30-year-old Ernest Plenty, SX6678 of the sister battalion to Jack, the 2/43rd, who was killed in action on the 23rd October ’42.
Advertiser Thursday 17 July 1941, SUPPLE.—On the 1st of July, 1941, killed in action, Private J. L. Supple, age 25, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. W. C. Supple, Bowden, brother of Bill, Ann, Sam, A.I.F., abroad. His duty nobly done. R.I.P. SUPPLE.—On the 1st of July, 1941 (killed in action), Private J. L. Supple, loving foster son of C. J. Harrison, Bowden Loved and remembered always.
Advertiser Wednesday 1 July 1942, SUPPLE.—in. loving memory of our dear brother Jack, 2nd AIF who was killed in action on July 1. 1941. at Tobruk. Hearts that loved you never forget; In memory you are with us yet. —Ever remembered by his brother Sam (AIF., abroad), sister-in-law and children. SUPPLE.—In loving memory of our dear son Jack. 2nd A.I F., killed in action at Tobruk on July 1. 1941. We think of you in silence. Jack, With grief that is deep and true. There is always that sad longing. Could we only speak to you. —From his father, mother, brothers, sister. Will and Anne and Sam.
Advertiser Thursday 1 July 1943, SUPPLE. —Pte. Jack Supple, AJF. Sacred to the memory of our beloved son and brother. Jack, who lost his life in action In Tobruk. July 1. 1941. —So dearly loved, so sadly missed by mother., father and brothers and sister. SUPPLE. —Pte. Jack Supple. AIF. In loving memory of my dear brother, Jack, Killed in action in Tobruk, July 1. 1941. —Ever remembered.by his loving brother. Sam (AIF.) and sister-in-law and children.
Advertiser Saturday 1 July 1944, SUPPLE.- Loving memory our beloved son and brother, Jack, killed action Tobruk, July 1, 1941. He lies in the hero's grave, honored with Australia's brave. - Ever remembered by mother, father, brothers and sister. SUPPLE.- In loving memory of Jack, killed on July 1, 1941. - Ever remembered by his brother Sam, 2nd A.I.F., sister-in-law, and children.
Advertiser Monday 1 July 1946, SUPPLE.—In loving memory of our dear son and brother Jack, killed in action at Tobruk, July 1, 1941. A thought for today, a memory for ever.— Always remembered by his mother, father, sister Ann. SUPPLE.—In loving memory of my brother Jack, who was killed in action at Tobruk, July 1, 1941.—Always remembered by his brother Sam, 2nd A.l.F., sister-in-law and children.
Advertiser Tuesday 1 July 1947, SUPPLE; —In loving memory of our brother Jack. 2/48. AIF, killed at Tobruk, July 1, 1941. —Ever remembered by his brother Sam. and sister-ln-law and family SUPPLE.—In loving memory of our dear son and brother Jack killed In action at Tobruk. July 1. 1941. Too dearly loved to ever be forgotten.—Ever remembered by mother, father and sister Ann.
Advertiser Friday 2 July 1948, SUPPLE—-In loving memory of my dear brother Jack, who was killed in Tobruk. July 1, 1941. Dearly missed by all. lnserted by his loving brother Sam, sister-in-law Win, and children. SUPPLE.—In loving memory of our dear son and brother Jack, killed In action at Tobruk. July 1, 1941. Seven sad years have passed. —Always remembered by his mother, father and sister Ann.
Advertiser Saturday 1 July 1950, SUPPLE. — In loving memory of our dear son and brother Jack, killed in action at Tobruk. July 1. 1941. — Ever remembered by mother, father and sister Ann.
Mail Saturday 30 June 1951, SUPPLE. —In loving memory of Jack, killed in action, Tobruk. July 1, 1940. Cherished memories by brother Sam and sister in-law Win, and family. SUPPLE. —In loving memory of my dear Uncle Jack, who lost his life at Tobruk, July 1, 1940. Fondly remembered and loved by his niece, Mary.
Advertiser Tuesday 1 July 1952, SUPPLE.—In loving memory of our dear son and brother Jack, killed in action at Tobruk, July 1, 1941.—Memory for ever, mother, father and sister Ann.
Advertiser Wednesday 1 July 1953, SUPPLE.—In loving memory of our dear son and brother Jack, killed in action at Tobruk, July 1, 1941.—Memory for ever, mother, father and sister Ann.
Advertiser Saturday 9 January 1954, SLAVEN. PLENTY. SUPPLE. In fond remembrance of our old mates Bill Slaven, Reg Plenty, Jack Supple, who paid the supreme sacrifice in the Middle East in 1942. At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will re member them. —Ever remembered by members of Hindmarsh "oldtimers" Football Club. Joe Noakes. Sec.

As a mark of respect and a lasting tribute to his younger brother, Sam tiled the grave of his much-loved brother.
Of Jack’s parents, Mary died in October ’58 aged 75 and William died February ’67 aged 84. They were buried in the Catholic section at Centennial Park Cemetery. Their daughter Rachel Ann was also buried with them following her death in May ’64 aged 55.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133 2/48th Battalion.