Stanley Irwin (Stan) GYNELL

GYNELL, Stanley Irwin

Service Number: SX6054
Enlisted: 21 June 1940, Adelaide, South Australia
Last Rank: Private
Last Unit: 2nd/48th Infantry Battalion
Born: Alberton, South Australia, 15 October 1916
Home Town: Queenstown, Port Adelaide Enfield, South Australia
Schooling: Alberton Primary School then the Port Adelaide Central School, South Australia
Occupation: Motor Driver
Died: Adelaide, South Australia, 5 November 2000, aged 84 years, cause of death not yet discovered
Cemetery: Enfield Memorial Park, South Australia
PLOT Eastern Niche Wall No 1 - GA-GU 16-1
Memorials:
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World War 2 Service

21 Jun 1940: Enlisted Private, SX6054, 2nd/48th Infantry Battalion, Adelaide, South Australia
21 Jun 1940: Enlisted Australian Military Forces (Army WW2), Private, SX6054
22 Jun 1940: Involvement Private, SX6054, 2nd/48th Infantry Battalion
11 Oct 1944: Discharged Private, SX6054, 2nd/48th Infantry Battalion
11 Oct 1944: Discharged Australian Military Forces (Army WW2), Private, SX6054

Brothers in the 2/48th Battalion

Born in Alberton on the 15th October, 1916 to James Liston and Ethel Maud Gynell, Stanley Irwin was the youngest of three sons with older brothers James Francis and Arthur George. Living in Queenstown, their father was a waterside worker at nearby Port Adelaide. The three boys all attended Alberton Primary School then the Port Adelaide Central School before Stan gained employment as a Motor Driver.
Stan’s older brother James married Nell (Ellen Elizabeth) Crush In October ’37 with the young couple welcoming their first child, Daniel Francis in December the following year. Their joy was shattered with his premature death five days later. However, as WWII loomed, a second son Peter John arrived in March ’40 bring much joy to the extended family. Three months later, both of James’ younger brothers, Stanley and George enlisted on the 21st June ’40 in Adelaide. They were given the numbers SX6054 and SX6041 respectively. Both were allocated to the newly formed 2/48th Battalion. Within days, Stan proposed to Shirley Alice Webb from Semaphore, announcing their engagement on the 29th and showing his confidence that he would return from what was anticipated to be a short conflict.
The brothers spent their early days in the close confines and cold of the Pavilions, now part of the Royal Adelaide Showgrounds. Then they and other new enlistees headed to Woodside for their preliminary training. This area was not a particularly popular winter camp, because of the severe cold and wet, however the enlistees generally enjoyed the life and looked forward to commencing the next phase of their training.
Following leave, the 2/48th contingent embarked on the Stratheden for the Middle East, on the 7th November 1940, arriving on the 17th December 1940. Stan had barely arrived when he had a week of hospitalisation before he was able to re-join the 2/48th Battalion. He completed a few months training in Cyrenaica before moving to Tobruk at the start of April 1941 where the dust, flies, heat, minimal water supplies and constant bombardment were quite a challenge to these fresh new enlistees. They were to become the famed Rats of Tobruk, a title designed to be derogatory, but one worn with pride.
Tragedy again visited the family with Stan learned of the death of his 26-year-old brother George, with both he and George having barely been in the Middle East for 7 months. Stan and George’s battalion had just taken over Post S9. It was during this fierce fighting that George was killed in action in Libya on the 11th July ’41.
Three months later a third tragic death occurred back home when Stan’s oldest brother James was involved in a car fatality. He, Nell, their 18-month-old son, Peter and Nell’s sister Mary had travelled to Kapunda for the weekend in their single seater car. The steering failed, overturning the car down an embankment with the force throwing all four from the car. Young Peter escaped with a cut on his hand but Mary Crush later died in hospital.
In the Middle East, conditions were not conducive to good hygiene resulting in Stan undergoing a few weeks of hospitalisation in February ’42. Soon after the entire battalion finally headed for home, via Melbourne, arriving in March. Much anticipated leave followed. Having endured a three-year engagement, Stan and Shirley married on the 13th March ’43 at the Exeter Methodist Church in an evening ceremony.
More tragedy confronted Stan and the family when James’ 31 years old wife Ellen, died suddenly in April ’42. Newly married Stan and Shirley and their family grieved the loss of both George and Nell each year.
The war, however continued, as did the requirement for Stan to serve. He headed to Queensland for training to face a very different enemy in the tropical conditions of New Guinea. He arrived in Milne Bay in August ’43 but the conditions were challenging resulting in Stan developing an extremely high fever (Pyrexia of Unknown Origin) which was then followed by scrub typhus. His on-going health issues eventually resulted in his return to Australia via Brisbane. His health, including dermatitis and a return of Scrub typhus contributed to Stan eventually being discharged in October ‘44 as medically unfit. He and Shirley were soon to welcome two sons, both born in the Wolverton Hospital. They were Geoffery George in February ’45 and Ronald Barry in November ’47.
Stan and Shirley celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary in 1993, then celebrated a further eight years together. Aged 84, Stan died on the 5th November 2000 and was buried at Enfield Memorial Park. His wife, Shirley died in February 2011 and now rests with him.
Stan and Shirley continued to remember George, both in the decade after being killed in action and in the ensuing years.
Advertiser Saturday 26 July 1941, GYNELL. —On the 11th of July, Arthur George, killed in action, aged 26 years. Beloved son of Mr. and Mrs. J. L Gynell and brother of Stan, AIF Abroad, and Jim and Nell, uncle of Peter. He gave his life for those he loved, so that we might live freely. He did his bit. GYNELL. —Died on active service on the 11th of July, A. G. Gynell dearly beloved friend, Shirley Webb.
Advertiser Saturday 11 July 1942, GYNELL.—In loving memory of Arthur, killed In action abroad, on July 11, 1941. —Inserted by Shirley Webb.
Mail Saturday 17 April 1943, page 14 GYNELL.—In loving memory of Nell, passed away on April 18, 1942. Your memory is as sweet today as in the hour you passed away. Sadly missed by Shirley and Stan Gynell (A.I.F.).
Mail Saturday 10 July 1943, GYNELL. — In loving memory of Arthur, killed in action at Tobruk. July 11. 1941. Just a token true and tender. To show dear Arthur we still remember. — Remembered by his brother Stan (A I.F.) and sister-in-law Shirley.
Advertiser Tuesday 11 July 1944, GYNELL.—A tribute to the memory of Arthur, killed in action. Tobruk. on July 11, 1941. Beneath the Cross of Sacrifice he lies amongst the honored brave.—Ever remembered, Stan and Shirl.
Advertiser Wednesday 11 July 1945, GYNELL.—In memory of George, killed in action, Tobruk, July 11, 1941. To be with us in the same old way, would be our dearest wish today.—Inserted by Stan, Shirl and Geoff.
Advertiser Thursday 11 July 1946, GYNELL.—In memory of George, killed in action Tobruk. July 11. 1941. May the sunshine he missed on life's highway be found in God's haven of rest.— Ever remembered by Stan, Shirl and Geoff.
Advertiser Saturday 10 July 1948, GYNELL.—In loving memory of George, killed in action, Tobruk, July 11, 1941.—Ever remembered by Stan, Shirl and family.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.

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