Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Born in Jamestown, on 5th July, 1906 to Henry and Annie Page, Rod was the oldest of three sons, Charles and Hartley and two sisters, Ruth and Vera. That mid north region was a strong grain and wool growing area on the ‘right’ side of Goyder’s line for consistent rainfall. Henry initially farmed in the area for some time. Rod was just eight years old, when his 36-year-old mother, Annie died on the 29th October ’14 at Jamestown. Henry later remarried Sarah Campell (nee Croft) who was also widowed following the tragic death of her first husband at a Perth Brewery, when overcome with fumes from a vat.
Initially Rod attended the local Spalding Primary School before his father moved to Clare in ’27 to become a business owner as a restaurateur. By that time, Rod was already working as a shearer and wheat lumper at the Barinia and Hilltown Railway Sidings. During harvest time he also did seasonal work with the Stanley Wine Company. In the evenings he would return to the family to catch up with his siblings. It was while his father was operating the restaurant business that 23-year-old Rod and the Page family were involved in a disastrous fire that destroyed theirs and three other businesses in the Main Street of Clare in February ’30. The shops were two restaurants, a saddler and combined draper and grocery business. It appeared that the fire started in Henry Page’s restaurant in the early hours of the morning, with flames being seeing through Page’s window. Despite valiant efforts by locals passing buckets of water to men on the roofs to combat the flames, prior to the arrival of the Clare Fire-fighting Association, the businesses were destroyed. One volunteer, standing on the roof was fortunate to escaped with a few abrasions when he fell through a skylight. Hartley, his father, and brothers were able to save some of the furniture from the back room and had insurance of £400 on the stock and furniture. Charles, Rod and Hartley and a cousin had previously been playing euchre in the back room of the business prior to their father locking up the shop late the previous night. Their sister Ruth had also been working there. Members of all the businesses and their families were interviewed but a cause of the fire could not be determined.
In an expensive exercise, Rod selected horses competing in the Licensed Victuallers' Handicap at the Victoria Park Races in September ’34. He was caught running an illegal doubles betting book with odds of 60 to 1 against and 70 doubles being recorded. Not only was he saddled with a hefty fine of £10; added court fees of £1/5/; totalled £11/5/. Hard earned money. Of the boys, Rod was particularly noted for his football skills, but also, when the Clare pool was opened in ’39 he featured as a finalist with a neat, fancy running dive. It was perhaps this skill that he used in later years in attempts to escape imprisonment.
With the outbreak of WWII, Rod was the first of the brothers to enlist on the 19th June ’40 SX5798, Charles on the 6th July ’40 SX8218 and Hartley enlisted on the 17th July 1940 at Wayville in what is now the Adelaide Showgrounds. From there, the new enlistees moved to Woodside in the Adelaide Hills to continue their training. All the brothers were allocated to the 2/48th Battalion. Another Clare local, Cliff Brebner enlisted at a similar time, becoming SX9882 initially with the 2/8th, then on Provost duties. His and Rod’s fates were to be very similar.
Whilst on leave in Clare, a large group congregated at the Hilltown Hall in October to farewell Scottish-born Gunner Alex Millar, SX3615 and also to present Private Rod Page, with ‘a parcel of cigarettes and tobacco by the chairman as a mark of esteem from those who had been associated with him in the Hilltown wheat yards during harvesting operations for a number of seasons.’

Following pre-embarkation leave the brothers’ Battalion sailed on the Stratheden in November 1940, arriving on the 17th December in the Middle East. Conditions in Tobruk were certainly a contrast to the tranquillity and greenness of the Clare district. The 2/48th Battalion was soon involved in the fierce fighting to retain Tobruk as a strategic position.
The Northern Argus in early June ‘41 broke the news that a telegram, received in Clare from the Minister of the Army on behalf of the Military Board, that Rod and then Corporal Clift Brebner were both missing on active service abroad. It was hypothesised that both had been taken prisoner of war. The newspaper summarised Rod as being ‘the eldest of three brothers who enlisted in the same unit of the A.I.F. and were inseparable companions until recently when Rod became separated from Privates Charles and Hartley Page, when he was allocated the duties of guarding towns and Italian prisoners in the campaign in Libya. In civil life Rod Page worked as a wheat -lumper at the Barinia and Hilltown Sidings; at other times he engaged in shearing operations and in the harvesting period 'was employed on occasions by the Stanley Wine Company. In the world of sport' he displayed chief pleasure in football, horse racing, swimming and billiards. He was prominently connected with the Clare unit of the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes and was the recipient of a fine presentation from that friendly society when he left for active service.’
The following week, marginally better news was received that ‘No. 5798 Private Roderick Henry Page, who was previously reported missing, has now been included in the latest casualty list as a prisoner of war. One unusual feature that needs attention drawn to it is that Private Page's parents were unaware of the good news until it had been conveyed to them by local citizens who observed it in the daily papers.’
News slowly filtered back to families and was often shared through the Northern Argus. Captain Donovan Taylor, SX8980 of the 2/43rd (a Clare ‘boy’) wrote in September that he was ‘pleased to note from The 'Argus' that Rod Page has been located, and sincerely trust that by now Cliff Brebner is also O.K. To give the German his due, I believe our prisoners are being fairly well treated.’ At the end of the month the news was confirmed: ‘The parents of Private Rod. Page (Mr. and Mrs. H. Page) of Burton Street, Clare, last week received definite word from the Red Cross Bureau that he was now a prisoner of war in Germany, in all likelihood being in the same camp as Cliff Brebner.’
Two months later another reassuring snippet was published: ‘Two Clare soldiers who are prisoners of war in Germany are Lance-Cpl. C. L. Brebner and Private R. H. Page. Both have sent reassuring messages to their parents that they are getting along satisfactorily. In the case of Mr. P. T. Brebner, his postcarte received in Clare this week contained a duplicate postcarte fully addressed for a return reply. His son Cliff says: — 'Still well, working and happy,' and his address is given as 'Stalag 306— Deutschland.' The word 'Stalag' in the German language means a camp for privates and N.C.O's’
More news slowly drifted back. Cautious comments were made by Rod about being a POW but the overwhelming need was for news of those ‘back home’ and to receive mail from loved ones. In January ’42 Rod’s full address was published; at Stalag XVIIA at Groppenstein, Deutschland (Allemagne) Germany or Austria. His letter card was printed in full: ‘Dear Dad, Vera and Ruth — I hope you received the letters I have written. I have heard nothing from you. Write as soon as you can and don't forget to tell me how Charlie and Hartley are getting on. Tell everybody to write to me. Give them my address, it's on the back of this letter. I am well and in the best of health. I have been doing road work the last two months, and my hands are pretty sore. I am looking forward for this war to end. It would be lovely to be a free man again. I was talking to Cliff Brebner two months ago. He is in another camp somewhere. How have you all been doing. I hope you are all well. Don't worry about me, I will pull through alright. I suppose Clare is pretty quiet now. Dad, send this letter to Vera and she can send it to Ruth. How is Ron and Dave and Jan and Tom. It is getting very cold over here. We have been having snow, they tell me it gets 3 feet deep. I grew a beard for 4 months. It was a beaut. It was yery grey. I have shaved it off now. Well, I will have to close (with Love from Rod to Dad, Vera and Ruth.)’
Rod wrote another brief missive on a post card in June and again, it was what was left unsaid that was most poignant. ‘Gefanfennummer: — 3312, Lager-Berzeiehnung, Stalag XVIIIA. 100084 G/W Deutschland (Allegmagne) 'Dear Dad. — I am well, hoping you are the same. I wish the weather was the same over here as you are getting — but it's cold. I have put on some weight, thanks to the Red Cross parcels. We get one a week. They are extra. Best wishes from Rod.' In the same newspaper, Lance Corporal Cliff Brebner wrote from, Stalag 18D, Germany. Letter dated Dec. 3, 1941. Dear Dad — it seems ages since we were together. I am still in the pink of condition and well, working and happy. Have not heard from you yet altho' lots of letters and parcels have arrived for Australians here. I know my turn will come soon. Postcard, Dec. 7, 1941. Received your first letter today. Am thrilled to know you are all well. It is lovely to hear from you again and get all home news. I have just been to camp concert; a lovely show. You would be pleased to know how comfortable and happy our little camp has made itself.’ Despite conditions as prisoners, the men took pains to reassure those at home.
In August ’42 ‘Private Rod. Page, 'son of Mr. H. Page, of Clare, who has been a prisoner of war in Germany for more than 12 months, has advised his father by post-card that he is well and in good health. Two other sons are still in Egypt with the AIF. Personal. — Lance-Cpl. Cliff Brebner, also a prisoner of war in Germany, has sent messages home to Clare to say he has been working gathering in the German harvests in the European summer. He is fit and well and has picked up to 15 stone in weight.’
Another brief missive to Kathleen Asher (nee Worrall) was shared via the Northern Argus in February ’43: ‘Private Rod Page, of Clare, who was captured and taken a prisoner of war while fighting against the Germans in the fierce campaign in Greece, after three vain attempts to escape, swimming for his life in a cold sea, gives a brief but graphic account of his forced stay in German Prison Camps. Writing on Sept. 27, 1942, he goes on as follows: — 'Dear Kath and Alex, I am as well as can be expected, though the life of being a guest of Hitler is not the gayest. I was ever so pleased getting a letter from you all. When you write date your letters. I have always got my chin up. It would take more than Jerry to knock It down. This is a cold, bloody country. In the winter for six months, you can't see the ground for snow. I dread the winter and it is now not very far off. Suppose you already know that I had a very tough time in Greece. It was not my fault I never got away, as I made three attempts. When I thought I was right - all set- I had to dive for the water and I had a long swim in the cold sea I will never forget. Jerry prints a paper once a week for us — Propaganda — Write soon, from your old pal' ROD PAGE.’
Often what was implied but not said was of importance. In June ’43 Cliff Brebner wrote home: 'Dear Dad — Have just come in from a game of the dear old pastime Cricket, Australasia versus England, I am the only Australian in the German Lager, the rest of our team consisting of Kiwis. The game, sad to relate, ended rather abruptly, as I hit a ball through the window of the next-door house. I have not seen the occupant as yet, as he is out, but I will have to call on him this evening, accompanied by the guard. A few Marks will be taken from this month's pay I'm afraid, but never mind ... we were winning the Test Match hands down.’ In closing Cliff made a passing comment that ‘My friend, the only other Aussie in this Lager, has gone to Hospital, but I hope he will be back soon.’ The Northern Argus observed that ‘This is the same address formerly used by Private Rod Page and he may be the friend who has gone to hospital.’
Back home, Rod’s parents received the news in November ’43 that youngest son, Hartley, serving in New Guinea, had again been wounded in action but had chosen to remain on duty. The Northern Argus also added that ‘He with his brother, Private Charley Page, A.I.F., returned about 15 months ago from the Middle East campaigns, and their brother Private Rod Page was taken prisoner at the time of the Battle for Greece and Crete, and has remained a prisoner m a German stalag ever since.’
Whilst a Prisoner of War Rod’s 81-year-old stepmother, Sarah, who had been unwell for some time, died. The Northern Argus gave a detailed tribute in their April ’44 publication. ‘Mrs. Henry Page, of Burton Street, Clare, who passed away last week at the age of 81 years after ailing for some time, was greatly helped for years and prior to her last illness by the members of the Clare Salvation Army. Every now and then as members of the staff of the 'Northern Argus' passed homewards along Burton Street, they would hear hymns being sung of an evening round the bedside. Mrs. Page had three step-sons, Private Rod Page, A.I.F. (a prisoner of war in Germany, captured in Greece after three strenuous efforts to swim away and escape); Privates Charley and Hartley Page, who returned after strenuous campaigns in the Middle East and have since been in Northern battle zones.’
Rod’s 71-year-old father had wasted no time in marrying for the third time just five months after Sarah’s death. It was a third marriage for both Henry and Annie Clark. Coincidentally, both also had their three sons serving in the AIF.
Unbeknown to Rod, his youngest brother, 34-year-old Hartley had run out of good fortune. Having been wounded three times, as the war was coming to an end, Hartley was killed in action at Tarakan in Borneo on the 15th May ’45, almost five years after first enlisting. At the time, John Glenn in Tobruk to Tarakan recorded that ‘Strong patrols probed the north, east and west during the next few days. By 13th May our troops had occupied the prominent features of Flute, Esmie, Ossie and Dorry. Reports from our own patrols and from those of other units gave every indication that the enemy was withdrawing to the Freda ridge, where it seemed most probable he would make a stand. This particular ridge consisted of four knolls, separated from one another by a low saddle, completely covered by dense jungle. To the 2/48th fell the task of capturing these features.’ It was during this assault that Hartley was killed.
Soon after, Diver Derrick, Victoria Cross recipient, was also to lose his life.
Just days later, on the 31st May ’45 the Northern Argus shared long wished for news; ‘After the death in action against the Japs of Pte Hartley Page (34) of the A.I.F. reported in our last issue, the son of Mr. H: Page and the late Mrs. Annie Page, of Burton Street, Clare, news of the whereabouts of his other son — Sgt. Rod Page, A.I.F., who has been a prisoner of war in Germany for over four years, since being taken prisoner in the campaign in Greece, was received by Mr. Page last week-end to say that Rod was safe in England. The cablegram reads: — 'Arrived England Plane. Safe. Everything O.K. — Rod Page.' Mr. Page and his family were elated to hear about this after no news from Rod since last January. Mr. Page said they were getting very anxious at no news. One weekend they had bad news in the loss of one son; and the next weekend — good news that the other son was safe. Rod is 37 years of age and has kept his chin-up under all conditions while a prisoner, and previous letters indicate he was cheerful, in good health and reminded his people not to worry.’
On his behalf, the family placed a tribute in the Advertiser on Monday 21 May 1945, ‘PAGE, SX9122.—On May 15, at Tarakan. Hartley, dearly beloved youngest son of Henry and the late Annie, and brother of Rod. P.0.W. Germany Vera, Charles and Ruth. We hoped for his safe return And longed to clasp his hand; But God postponed that meeting. It will be in a better land. —Inserted by his loving father and stepmother, Clare.’
By August, ’45 the Northern Argus excitedly welcomed Rod home. Patriotic fervor unparalleled in the 103 years' history of Clare marked the VP Celebrations on Wednesday and Thursday, Aug. 15th and 16th to celebrate the end of the war and the unconditional surrender of the Japanese. The town band turned out to play and excited children thronged the town. The bells of Peace rang out as the Mayor of Clare said a few words and welcomed all returned men, especially Pte Rod Page, AIF and Warrant Officer Malcolm Woods, RAAP, for whom the audience gave three ringing cheers.’ In a subsequent issue the newspaper summarised that ‘After several years as a prisoner of war in enemy hands on the Continent of Europe, Private Rod Page, A.I.F., arrived home in Clare last week, and is staying with his father, Mr. H. Page. He was captured during the fighting in Greece and made several attempts to escape but was eventually recaptured and spent most of his time in German compounds. Because so many would like to hear of what conditions were like in Germany, we have attempted to obtain a story from Pte Page, and hope that next week we will be in a position to recount his experiences. The Ancient Order of Buffaloes, Clare, extended a welcome to Private Page on Thursday night last week at its usual meeting.’ Those experiences were never published.
To further complicate the family’s emotions, ‘official news was received that Rod’s surviving brother, Charles, who had returned from the conflict, had died on Nov. 13th in the Royal Adelaide Hospital.’ A cheque was forwarded to Henry and a guarantee that all hospital expenses had been paid. Charles had been in hospital but recovered and was working at the West End Brewery. A mistake had been made confusing him with a different Charlie Page. The misunderstanding was soon dispersed by their sister, Ruth Siviour, living at Loveday, investigating.
The euphoria that followed the declaration of peace was palpable. The celebrations began with papers naming the released Prisoners of War, including Private Rodney H. Page and Corporal Clifton L.Brebner. Crowds of over 600 greeted the officially discharged service men and women at the Clare Town Hall. The stories not told or shared by the POWs were published as those who returned and were interviewed, told the brutal truth. Clifton was one who shared memories of defending Crete. ‘The fight was on in earnest. Even cooks, orderlies and civilians tried to stem the tide. Prior to the German advance Lord Haw Haw broadcast to our troops each day trying to break down our morale by suggesting that the Isle of Crete, as an historical fact, had never been successfully defended.’ Cliff described the 50 mile march before joining a week-long Hell Train to Austria. ‘Conditions were indescribable — Lice by the thousands and instances of herding were 57 of us in one truck for a week, barred in, and not allowed to get out for exercise or use the normal functions of the body, except in the truck. By the time we reached Wolfsburg (an appropriate name) some had lost their sanity and free fights occurred due to lack of sleep and irritability. The only bright spot was on the fifth day when the Yugoslav Red Cross gave us one small cup of tea at Belgrade.’
Cliff recounted that ‘At Wolfsburg I often saw Rod Page of Clare, and we had long yarns about our hometown. After four years it is a relief to be home again — as free as the air — one can hardly realise that at any given moment, as I turn round I am relieved to find that I have not got a three cornered tear from barb-wire in the seat of my pants.’ He had high praise for the Red Cross, their food and clothing parcels that kept men alive and helped provide better treatment for those incarcerated. Cliff had not shared with his family that at Marburg he ‘helped to bury 150 bodies a day, a terrible and gruesome task. We just dug a communal grave in unconsecrated ground and our guards forced us to throw them in pell-mell, with twisted arms and legs, a ghastly business, and earth lightly thrown on top. No names or numbers were kept. Thus their families will never know.’
Home and a free man, Rod paid tribute to his brother who had not returned. He continued to do so in the ensuing years.
Advertiser Wednesday 15 May 1946, PAGE. SX9122. A.I.F.—In loving memory of Hood, killed In action at Tarakan, May 15. Memory is a golden chain That links us till we meet again. —Ever remembered by Rod and Charley.
Advertiser Thursday 15 May 1947, PAGE – In loving memory of Hood, killed Tarakan May 15, 1945. To be with us in the same old way would be our dearest wish today. Ever remembered by Rod, Chas.
Advertiser Saturday 15 May 1948, PAGE. —In loving memory of Hood, killed at Tarakan, May 15, 1945. — Ever remembered by Rod and Chas.
Advertiser Saturday 14 May 1949, PAGE. —In loving memory of Hartley, killed at Tarakan, May 15. He lives in our hearts forever: —Always remembered by Vera, Roy, Ron and David.
Advertiser Monday 15 May 1950, PAGE. — In loving memory of Hood killed In action. — Ever remembered by Rod and Chas.
Advertiser Tuesday 15 May 1951 PAGE. — In loving memory of Hood killed Tarakan. May I5 1945. — Always remembered by Rod and Chas.
Advertiser Thursday 15 May 1952, PAGE. — In loving memory of Hood, killed Tarakan. May I5 1945. — Always remembered by Rod and Chas.
Advertiser Friday 15 May 1953, PAGE. — In loving memory of Hood, killed May 15. 1945.— Ever remembered by Rod and Chas.
Advertiser Saturday 15 May 1954, PAGE.— In loving memory of Hood, killed May 15. 1945.— Ever remembered by Rod and Chas.
Rod’s father, Henry died on the 27th May ’48 and now rests in the Clare Cemetery.
Aged 68, Rod died in 1973 on the 5th August. A memorial to him is at the Centennial Park Cemetery in the RSL Wall 118, Niche D003
Written and researched by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133 2/48th Battalion.