Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

"TRAGIC DEATH OF MR. VIC. REED    "TOBRUK RAT"     Fell From S.E. Train.

Mr. Victor Ralph Reed, who was well known in Narracoorte, met his death on Wednesday of last week when he fell from the South-eastern bound train between Ambleside and Balhannah. The deceased was aged 48 years and had seen considerable war service in
the Middle East and New Guinea. He was one of the original "Rats of Tobruk," being a member of the 2/43rd Battalion. The late Mr. Reed was originally employed by Messrs. Fullarton and Blackwell in Narracoorte, and later he went to Mount Gambier, where he joined the staff of the Co-operative Society. In 1921 he married Miss Ruby Gould at Narracoorte, but his wife died a short time later. He did not re-marry. When the deceased enlisted in the A.I.F. he was employed on the Cobdogla pumping station. After his
discharge from the army he joined the staff of Eudunda Farmers' at Bordertown and was in charge of the ironmongery department. He had spent his Christmas holidays in the city and was returning to Bordertown when the tragedy occurred. The remains were interred in the Narracoorte cemetery on Friday. Sisters of deceased include Mesdames T. P. G. Barclay and R. C. Ruwoldt, of Narracoorte, and A. E. Baker, of Albury, and brothers are Messrs. Reg., Bert and Arthur Reed." - from the Naracoorte Herald 06 Jan 1947 (nla.gov.au)