Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Albert Spencer Masters (Spen) was born in Red Hill, South Australia on the 23rd July 1906. He was the third child of George Robert William and Martha Jayne Masters. His siblings were Elsie, George, Alan, Rita, Wilfred, Edith, Lavinia and Mavis.
Spen married Agnes Whitting on the 26th October 1925 and had seven children before the war and two born during the war
As a family they lived in Adelaide with Spen turning his hand as a labourer and grocer.
In March 1930 Spen aged 23 years and 9 months joined the Militia (48th Battallion—Foundation Volunteers) until 1931.
Spen enlisted on the 20th October 1939 in the 2nd AIF and was posted to the Royal Australian Engineers (RAE) as a Sapper. He trained at Wayville and Woodside. Leaving Woodside in December 1939 Sapper Masters proceeded to Raymond Terrace (NSW), then to Ingleburn (NSW) and later Greta (NSW).
He drove a truck full of troops through Sydney on the 28th March 1940 as part of a formal march. He then continued to drive vehicles on various tasks.
Sapper Masters embarked for overseas on the 10th August 1940 to Bombay on board the RMS Strathallan, arriving on the 3rd September 1940. After a month there he left in October for Port Said, Egypt.
Sapper Masters arrived at Kfar Vishin, Palestine and camped near Beit Jirja. Whilst there he visited Jerusalem a number of times. Leaving Beit Jirja for Tobruk, via Mersa Matruh, Sidi Barrani, Sollum and Bardia. Then from Tobruk to Benghazi. Diary entry on the 3rd April 1941. “Retreat from Benghazi back, to Tobruk”.
From April through to October 1941 the Siege of Tobruk took place. Several diary entries of Sapper Masters stated, “Most days bombers / fighters over, hot, dusty, plenty of action”. Another entry on the 7th October 1941 he wrote “A night from hell”. He left Tobruk on the 18th October 1941 attending a cooking school in Dies Senid from the end of October till middle of November 1941.
1942 Sapper Masters moved into Syria and camped two miles out of Damascus. He then moved south to Alamein area, Egypt and was involved in various ways up to 23rd October 1942 (3 month build up) when main Alamein battle took place. Leaving Alamein in November. On the 24th January 1943 Sapper Masters boarded the Queen Mary and disembarked in Sydney on the 27th February 1943.
After spending leave at home in Adelaide he then entrained to Queensland on the 1st April 1943 for jungle training. Diary entry “Woke up in jungle, grass three foot high, wet, raining”.
In May1943 he was hospitalised with Scabies and Dengue fever.
On the 3rd August he left Trinity Bay for Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea, then to Buna where he completed lots of truck / jeep driving. Diary entry on the 5th September 1943 stated “Near miss of eight yards, splashed with sand and water. Bombing, straffing.
Sapper Masters continued involvement in battles for Sattelberg, Song River and Finschhafen.
In February 1944, he proceeded back to Milne Bay for embarkment by sea to Brisbane, attending further jungle training at Ravenshoe Camp. Again, being hospitalised with Scabies and Malaria in June 1944.
In September 1944 Sapper Masters attended a four week cooking / catering school where he obtained a score of 82%, being top of the class.
December 1944 Sapper Masters was struck by lightning and was given no duties for five days. He spent three further months in Ravenshoe completing mess and kitchen duties.
12th April 1945 he embarked from Cairns on the Sea Barb ship for Moratai, New Guinea. At the end of May he sailed for Labuan.
Diary entry on the 10th June 1945 states “Big day for the 9th Division off Labuan, 84 vessels in Convoy, heavy fighting, snipers”.
On the 18th June 1945 Sapper Masters had confirmation of promotion to Corporal.
August 1945 Corporal Masters left Labuan for Moratai and emplaned to Brisbane.
Corporal Masters was discharged on the 24th August 1945, following 2132 days service including1250 days service overseas.
Corporal Masters was awarded the following medals
1939-45 Star
Africa Star with 8th Army Clasp
Pacific Star
Defence Medal
War Medal 1939-45
Australian Service Medal 1939-45
Unofficial Rat of Tobruk Medal
Spen’s return from the war saw him with a family to support on a TPI pension. This he did whilst nursing Agnes (wife) with cancer. Sadly, she passed away on the 28th April 1954 aged 50 in Adelaide.
In June 1955 Spen married Molly Ryan a widow with three young boys, Gerald, Peter and Terry. Molly and the boys had been living in a tent from December 1951 till May 1953 after the death of their father Steve.
Together Molly and the boys rebuilt their lives with the support of Spen. All three boys had successful careers.
December 1956 Leanne was born into a household of boys. Spen worked as a handyman, cutting spuds, caretaker of the Kalangadoo Institute and was interested in Scouts. Both Molly (Life Member) and Spen were very involved in the RSL.
He was a truly caring, loving, supportive Stepdad, Dad and Gramps until his untimely death.
On the 11th January 1962 Spen was killed in a car accident at Willunga Hill. Molly passed away on the 13th September 1994.
Leanne is very fortunate to have his diaries from during the war and poetry he wrote during that time.
Having lost her dad at the age of five, she proudly wears his medals.
A brave Soldier at rest
Lest We Forget