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Charles Clifford’s family lived in the Millicent area before moving to Port Lincoln. Charles (Charlie) was the first child born to Emily May and Frank Clifford Barwick on the 21st December March, 1913. Frank had gone to Millicent in 1907 as a member of a troupe of acrobats who were touring Australia in the interests of the Young Men's Christian Association. He left the company and remained in Millicent for over four years, marrying Emily May, a Port Lincoln girl. Their first two children, Charlie and William were both born in Millicent. Frank’s short, muscular physique enabled him to develop into a talented gymnast and entertainer who continued to be in demand at public entertainment venues. This included travelling to Eyre Peninsula several times to feature as an acrobat, at a school concert at Marrat Bay and the Opening of the Denial Bay Institute in November 1912, then back at Millicent two years later for the Hibernian Society’s annual gathering, where he was regarded as an old favourite.
Frank also worked in wheat and barley lumping, and for a time was employed at the Mount Burr forest. He also conducted a skating rink in the old drill hall, which was later converted to the bulk store for Eudunda Farmers' Co-operative Society. Leaving Millicent, Frank, Emily Charlie and Bill returned to Emily’s home town of Port Lincoln in ’26. There Frank was employed working on the wharf where he was highly regarded for his work as president of the Port Lincoln branch of the Waterside Workers' Federation. Four sisters, Dorothy, Lorna, Betty and Barbara and another brother, George were added to the family.
Inheriting his father’s stature, Charlie was also affectionately called ‘Shorty’. He continued his education at the Port Lincoln State School where he was a prize winner in a Children’s Pet Show held at the end of ’24. His dog was awarded second prize with his sister, Dorothy taking out first prize with her own pooch.
Post school Charlie also worked as a labourer, including at the Port Lincoln Freezers, until the outbreak of WWII. At that stage, a huge campaign by the AIF rolled out in country areas with the aim of attracting fit, young, single men to enlist. There was a rush of A.I.F. recruits to the depots opened at Cowell, Minnipa, Wudinna, Port Lincoln and Streaky Bay in June ’40, when younger brother Bill enlisted as SX7547 in the 2/48th Battalion. A further recruitment campaign was conducted in January the following year when 27-year-old Charlie also enlisted. He was allocated the number SX11145 and added to the 2/48th Battalion Reinforcements where Bill was serving. Close friend, Raymond Whait ‘Lofty’ a fellow waterside worker, enlisted the same day as SX11158 and managed to be placed in the same battalion. The two were to spend much of their time in the Middle East together and became a feature known widely as ‘Lofty’ and ‘Shorty’. Charlie’s youngest brother, George travelled from Port Lincoln on the ship ‘Minnipa’ that month with Charlie ‘Shorty’ and ‘Lofty’ in the group that followed.
Back home in March ’41 Charlie and ‘Lofty” Whait were farewelled by the Port Lincoln Waterside Workers with a toast, gift presentation and speeches to which both Charlie and Lofty responded with sincere thanks. They then embarked for overseas service in the Middle East and arrived in May. By June Charlie was being treated for deafness, a condition that would intensify and develop into a very painful inner ear infection over the ensuing years.
The close knit Peninsula community were supported by the two local papers, the West Coast Recorder and the Port Lincoln Times which carried stories from letters written to family back home. Phillip Bascombe, SX11298 of the 2/8 Field Ambulance reported meeting Port Lincoln men after church parade including Bill’s brother, Charlie Barwick SX11145 and Max from the 2/48th who were in adjoining tents. However daily routine and actual war conditions were quite different to what was often written in those letters back home.
On the 27th July ‘41, unexpected news of the death of 52-year-old Frank, Charlie’s father, in an Adelaide Hospital was announced. He was a week away from celebrating his 53rd birthday but had been ill for a short time with heart problems. The following day, The Advertiser carried the unwanted news that Charlie’s brother, Bill had been wounded in action. Also from the 2/48th Battalion, Pte. Arthur G. Gynell, SX6041, from Queenstown had been killed in action and those Wounded In Action were Pte. W. P. Barwick, SX7547, from Port Lincoln and Pte. Robert O. Sunman, SX6315, from Port Augusta. Thoughtfully, William cabled his mother to reassure her his wound was not serious. It was.
With his three sons serving overseas, Frank was buried in the Cheltenham Cemetery. An unexpected tribute to Frank appeared in the South Eastern Times which had also reported Frank’s death. A reader wrote "I read with sad regret the passing of John Jones and Frank Barwick, and my sympathy is with the families of these two men in their sad bereavement. It reminded me of the bygone barley boom days, when thousands of bags of barley were lumped into high stacks in the railway yards at Millicent in the hot summer sun. Jack Jones and Barwick were small men, but their staying powers as lumpers put them in the class of wonder-men. Many bigger and stronger men would start work with them, but would not finish with them. I was storeman and timekeeper for Dalgety & Co., Ltd., in those days, and learnt to know their good qualities.” This work ethic was also part of the boy’s upbringing.
News continued to drift back home and was generously shared about the ‘boys’ fighting overseas. A local, Peter Lewis, chief steward on a merchant vessel wrote from the Middle East in July ’41. “Everyone here is doing fine, including "Lofty" Whait and "Shorty" Barwick. I met them here a few days ago and I was certainly surprised to see them. They send best regards to all. The beer is good and there are plenty of cigarettes, but they could do with a few letters from the boys at home. They have not received any for a long while. I have souvenired a few incendiary bombs. They are ones that would not go off owing to sabotage in German factories. It is a good job, otherwise I would not be here.”
A further letter from Private ‘Lefty’ Poole SX7141, written over several days in July ’41 described “Our battalion is doing great work here. I suppose you have heard it over the wireless. Our battalion is the one that has captured so many prisoners. Tobruk has a very attractive harbor. It used to be a holiday resort once, but does not look like it now, with all the bombs dropped on it. I have been here for over four months. When I went down for a swim yesterday I met Norm Reid and we had a great yarn. While I was in the water, we had an air raid, so I had to scramble out very quickly, but no damage was done, so we continued our swim. Yesterday, it blew like anything. The dust is bad when there is only a light breeze, but when it blows, as it does very often, it is awful. I guarantee I swallow more dust than food.” Several days later he added “Well, I am in a happy mood tonight, as I have just received another letter from you. I have been getting my fair share of letters lately and my word they are a God-send. You would not believe how we look forward to receiving them. "Lofty" Whait and "Shorty" Barwick will be joining us any day now.”
In September another snippet of news was received from Stoker Bill Reid ‘on an Australian warship somewhere at sea’ that “Just prior to writing he had been ashore and met Lofty Whait and Shorty Barwick, who were also doing well.”
Stan Scott ‘Scotty’, a close friend of the Barwick boys was killed in action in Libya on the 1st August ’41 aged just 22. The battalion was in the Salient under intense fire from long burst from Spandau with the front half obscured by dust and smoke. Scotty and fellow Private SX8869 William Dwyer were both killed that first day. Those who survived made every effort to respectfully bury their mates and where possible beautify their graves as a tribute of respect. Lieutenant Bill Poole wrote to his parents describing how “Charlie Barwick, Ray Whait," Bill Richardson and Ross Richmond are all up here. I was down at the cemetery with the lads doing up the graves. They made an excellent job of Bill Owen's and Stan Scott's. It is blowing a terrific dust storm, so we are all well down in our dugouts writing our letters. We have just received three bundles of papers from home and have been having a good old read.”
So many of those on the West Coast continued to remember ‘Scotty’ in the ensuing years, including the Barwick family.
Advertiser Saturday 1 August 1942, SCOTT.—In memory of our pal "Scotty," killed at Tobruk on August 1, 1941. Things have changed in many ways, But one thing changes never; Memories of those happy days When we were lads together. —Ever remembered by his pals, George, Jack, Noel, and Bill (A.I.F. abroad). SCOTT.—In loving memory of Stan, killed in action on August 1, 1941. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, We will remember him. —Ever remembered by E. M. Barwick and girls.
Port Lincoln Times Thursday 1 August 1946, SCOTT. — In memory of our pal, 'Scotty,' killed at Tobruk on August 1, 1941. Things have changed in many ways, But one thing changes never: Memories of those happy days When we were lads together. — Ever remembered by the Barwick boys.

By November, Charlie had his first attack of a severe, painful inner ear infection, Otis Media which continued to flare throughout his service. He was hospitalised for a month before he could return to the 2/48th Battalion. That month another reunion of locals took place. Private Phil Bascombe wrote “Last Sunday I met quite a few of the local lads from Port Lincoln. Walking along, I met Lofty Whait and Charlie Barwick coming off church parade. We were sitting talking in their tent when along came Bob King and one of the Brewster boys from Poonindie. They are in the same unit as Norm Reid, and are camped not far from here. In the next tent to Charlie Barwick is Max Richardson from Port Lincoln. We were still talking when up came Bennie Raven from the A.M.C. training wing.” He added “For tea to-night, we had stew and stewed apricots. I will be glad when I get home and have a good roast dinner.”
That month, Transport Driver Allen Brewster, SX2171 gave a further glimpse of life for the Port Lincoln men when he wrote from Palestine “' It is great to be back in a quiet place like this, where there are no bombs or shells to worry about: The weather is hot in the day time and cold at night, but that is easy to put up with after being where I have for the past eight months. I cannot mention the name of the place, but it will "take some time to forget it. Since being here I have met quite a few Port Lincoln boys, including Bob Davies, "Skipper" Morrison, "Lofty" Whait and Charlie Barwick. Blondy Harvey has just moved on from here and I am expecting Norm Reid back here any day. I have been learning map reading and do not think you could lose me in the West Coast scrub now. I had a look at the war cemetery of the soldiers of 1914-18. It is wonderful how it has been looked after through all these years.” He concluded with “Here, the Wog beer is mixed with Aussie beer and has a terrific kick in it, but I would sooner be back at the Pier Hotel with a handle of West End.”
The West Coast Recorder’s efforts in supporting those serving and those at home waiting, continued to provide snippets of news with the January ’42 edition carrying news of the Barwick boys. “Signaller (George) Barwick's two brothers (Ptes. Bill and Charlie Barwick) are serving with the A.I.F. in the Middle East. According to the latest news, Bill is still in hospital recuperating from a wound in the leg at Tobruk last July. Charlie is in Palestine and now out of hospital where he was recuperating from ear trouble.” Private Leslie Hayes SX10659 with the 2/10th also shared that “Charlie Barwick is out for a rest, but I have not seen him. Bill (his brother) is doing all right now but is still on crutches.”
April that year brought less welcome news about the injury Bill had received the previous year, which was more serious than first shared. He was “still at a convalescent camp in the Middle East, recovering from wounds received last July. As far as they know, his brother (Pte. Charlie Barwick) is in Syria with "Lofty" Whait and "Ginger" Richardson” according to the Barwick family.
With the war dragging on, Gunner Emms wrote “We have a new kind of gun here now. It sends a shell over into the enemy lines, and those that it does not kill it takes prisoner. How is that? I had a surprise visit from Lofty Whait and Shorty Barwick the other day, and we duly celebrated in the right manner.
In June ’42 Charlie was wounded in action. With Rommel crossing into Egypt, the 2/48th were in an offensive to capture Trig 33, which was achieved on the 10th July. In doing so, over 400 Italian prisoners were taken. The battalion then advanced south, capturing the Tel el Eisa station and repelling numerous counter attacks. In the fierce fighting on 22nd July’42, the 2/48th Battalion was attempting to capture West Point in a dawn attack. However, they were eventually forced to withdraw, having suffered over 100 casualties. In total, the 2/48th battalion suffered 215 casualties between the 7th July and 23rd October. Of that number, 64 men were killed and six died of their wounds. 125 other men were wounded but survived. Highly respected Lieutenant Lance Heffron SX11171, was killed in that action. In his book, ‘Tobruk to Tarakan’, John G. Glenn described the ferocious encounter.
‘When the troops were well forward of the start-line they came under terrific fire from shells and mortars from the front and left and suffered heavy casualties. With the slow deliberate movement of perfectly trained soldiers both companies continued the advance in perfect formation, over ground that trembled and erupted with vicious explosions. Through this, sometimes obscured by the smoke and dust, the men moved, and, as they advanced, the fire kept place with them, leaving behind the still shapes of fallen men among the camel bush and sand.’ John Glenn added that despite the men being surrounded, they planned to fight their way out. ‘for fourteen hours these men had been lying out in terribly exposed positions, pinned down, with the fearful heat adding to their difficulties.’ He added ‘Lieutenant Lance Heffron had been killed in a lone attack.’
Charles was injured with a contusion of his right elbow and infection in his left leg which became ulcerated. He then contracted diphtheria followed by enteritis. It was not until November that he was able to return to his battalion. This was reported back home in the August edition of the Advertiser that ‘Mrs. E. M. Barwick, of Blight street, Croydon has been notified that her eldest son Pte. C. C. Barwick, has been wounded In action in Egypt. He enlisted at Port Lincoln in January. 1941. and went overseas in April of the same year.’ A published list of those killed or wounded showed the loss sustained by the 2/48th Battalion. They included Killed In Action; SX127 Lt. Frank B. Thredgold, Torrensville; SX9529, L-Cpl. Alfred F. Lear, Broken Hill, NSW and SX5269 L-Cpl. Maurice R. Roche, Griffiths, NSW. Wounded And On Dangerously Ill List — SX10361 Pte. Robert M. Cattermole. Meningie; (later died in of his wounds December) SX7263 Pte. William F. Foster, Prospect. Wounded In Action.— SX11145 Pte. Charles C. Barwick, Port Lincoln; SX11862 Pte. Peter Coll, Gladesville, NSW; SX11802 Pte. Allan H. Harradine, Adelaide; SX13206 Pte. Frederick H. Heath, Pygery; SX11258 Cpl. R. Kearsley, Inf., Westbourne Park and SX7OO5 Pte. James E. Keeley, South Plympton.
Soon after, in the November newspaper, ‘Lofty’ Whait reported that Byron Johnson SX12966 in the 2/8th Field Ambulance said that “Bill Barwick is with their unit now but Charlie is in Palestine.”
It was fortunate that his service in the Middle East was coming to a closure with Charlie returning to Australia via Melbourne, arriving in February. Both brothers were able to return home on leave in March ’43 where a tea and social evening was organised for many of the locals, including Charlie, Bill and Lofty Whait from the 2/48th Battalion. Returned members of the RSL welcomed the young men back home, with Bill and Lofty responding to their best wishes. Other celebrations were also held where about 90 returned soldiers met at the Civic Shipper Room for a singsong evening organised by the RSL where again, Bill and Lofty were amongst those responding to the good wishes expressed.
Unfortunately, Charlie’s ear infection returned in May whilst he was training in Queensland to face a very different enemy in the tropical conditions of New Guinea. In August Charlie and Dorothy Joy (Joy) Richardson, a telephonist from Port Lincoln, announced their engagement. At the time, Charlie was diagnosed with fever, painful, inflamed ear infection (acute Otis Media) then tonsilitis causing further hospitalisation. He briefly returned to Townsville and by November was in Port Moresby, New Guinea. A perforated eardrum was followed by a return of critical Otis media which necessitated him to return to Australia via Townsville. He and Joy were quietly married in January ’45.
Their children, two girls Ruth (February ’46) and Betty were born at the Port Lincoln Hospital as was son Peter Charles in October ’49.
Charlie applied to the local Council for a Taxi Licence in January ‘49, an application conditional on the supply of petrol. This was granted in July with Charlie then selling his 25-foot fishing cutter and upgrading his 1927 Oldsmobile Buckboard soon after. He and Joy were both active at a fishermen’s convention held at Streaky Bay in ’49 where many topical issues were discussed including the Fishing regulations, black marketing, finance, refrigeration, the Queensland Fish Board report and exporting of fish. Charlie continued to enjoy being on the sea, eventually buying the cutter ‘Seigift’ and taking it on a long trip from the Bay to Port Lincoln
Aged 66, Charles died on the 13th November 1980 and was buried in the Port Lincoln Happy Valley Cemetery. Joy continued to be active in the local community, celebrating her 80th in 2002 with her extended family.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.