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Australia

Edward George (Ted) was born in Western Australia on the 21st June, 1911. He worked on a farm at Penong, on the far West Coast of SA at the commencement of the Nullarbor Plains. A railway line connected the town to Port Lincoln, carrying both wheat and wool, the staples of the local farmers.
When WWII broke out, the Penong township was proud of contributing what the ‘West Coast Sentinel’ called their quota for the defence of the British Empire. The eleven strong group included Fred Sleep, Alb. Hurrell, Bert Bassham, Keith Reese, Fred Clothier, Ted Boxer, Jack Boxer, Lindsay Beattie, Roy May, Dinny Brooks, and Fred Kelly (R.A.A.F.). Ted enlisted at Streaky Bay on 25th June 1940, just after his 29th birthday . He became SX7528 with the newly formed 2/48th Battalion, training 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.
In October, Ted returned to Penong on pre-embarkation leave where a large farewell social was organised in his honour in the local Hall. The ‘West Coast Sentinel’ reported that Ted was welcomed by a mighty chorus of ‘For He's a Jolly Good Fellow’ when he entered the building. For a. moment or two, the man in khaki was bewildered, but gained his equanimity when the band struck up ‘God Save the King’. A number of speeches were made by returned servicemen, the local football team for whom Ted had played, and the local RSL representative. During the evening, the effects of petrol rationing for the Hall caused an unexpected black-out which did not deter the community. Emulating the spirit of the Londoners, popular songs, "Roll out the Barrel," "Wish me Luck," "Kiss me good-night, Sergeant-Major," and "Tipperary" were sung lustily. Once lighting was restored, Ted was presented with a roll of notes. He thanked the people and said the roll would greatly augment the "nimble ninepence" that was in his pocket for his return to camp. He also thanked the ladies of the Fighting Forces Comforts Fund for the cigarettes and other comforts they had given him. A variety of entertaining items, dancing and supper was provided before the singing of ‘Auld Lang Syne’ and ‘Wave me Good-bye’ concluded the evening.
The next month, Ted embarked on the Stratheden in November 1940 and arriving on the 17th December. Soon after, Ted contracted mumps and was hospitalised for the first fortnight in January 1941 before re-joining his Battalion.
Ted was Involved in fierce fighting from the start. With the enemy preparing for an assault on Ras El Medauuar, under the command of Captain Forbes, a successful large-scale attack was planned pre-dawn on the 22nd April ’41 Ted described to the ‘West Coast Recorder’ the events that occurred:
“A company of 90 men were advancing on the enemy in the outer defences, about 20 miles from the town. At a distance of 300 yards they charged in a line with fixed bayonets, and despite the fire of the enemy, they reached their objective and brought in 350 prisoners. He said the Germans 'threw up the sponge' when confronted by the Australians with bayonets. As the line of soldiers advanced, Pte. Boxer was hit in the, leg by an antitank shell, taking the limb off below the knee. He did not feel the injury in the excitement. His first reaction to what happened was one of cold rage. Picking up his boot lying some yards away with the foot still in it, he waved it viciously at the enemy and tried to carry on, but soon had to pull up. He partly stopped the bleeding by tying two scarves tightly around his leg, and crawled to a nearby gully. When members were checked and it was found that he and others were missing, two mates went out in a light truck and picked up a number of wounded, including Pte- Boxer. The area from which they made the rescue was still under artillery fire, and Pte. Boxer paid tribute to the courage of his rescuers, to whose action he owes his life. Pte. Boxer gave an indication of the stiff fight being put up by the Australians at Tobruk when he said they were each rationed to a pint of water a day. He had worn the singlet for 21 months, yet he wanted to go back again to help his mates.”
In John Glenn’s book, ‘Tobruk to Tarakan’, the event was written:
‘Popular Teddy Boxer was amongst the casualties that day. Here’s the story as he told it:
“I was in C Company, and I went out on this attack and lost my right leg through being hit with an anti-tank shell, copping a machine-gun bullet in the left leg as well. Before I knew where I was I saw that the blood was spurting out, and I thought “I won’t be here much longer!” and expected to pass out. I had carried two scarves in my pocket, being cold, and straight away I tied one above my thigh and the other above the knee. That stopped the bleeding. My foot, boot and all, was lying about six feet away. I waited for what seemed like hours, but apparently was only half an hour or so. I was alone except for three dead chaps alongside me. I thought if help didn’t come shortly, I would be picked up by the enemy. I thought “This is going to be good!” for I expected them to bump me off as it would be too much trouble to take me prisoner, seeing I had lost a leg.
“While I was lying there one of our Bren carriers headed straight for me. When it was within about six feet I put my hand up, and it swerved and missed me by inches. On the way in they hooked on a utility, which had run out of petrol. The chain broke and they had another go. I was in the back of the ute. Up to this time I had seen no stretcher bearers. All I could see from the back of the utility was the enemy, coming after us. I didn’t know they were prisoners we had captured.
“In towards the perimeter we met some English chaps. One said “Would you care for a mug of rum?” and I said “Yes, give it to me here quick.” He poured out this great big enamel pannikin of rum. I was just going to grab it while the utility was stopped, but the truck started off and I missed it by inches. This probably saved my life as the rum would have pumped the blood more.”
Ted was treated in the Middle East Military hospital. When he was out of danger, the Sister in Charge advised he could let his family know that he was injured, "but not seriously." Ted queried if he could report that he had lost a leg but was firmly told “No”. So, Ted's message ran: "Wounded, but not seriously—Hopalong Cassidy Ted." It was his way of informing them of the loss of his leg!
Ted eventually left Dimra and returned to Australia a month later, on the 26th May. Unfortunately, he contracted pharyngitis back at Wayville while his amputation was being treated. He was able to return to Penong early in July to a rousing hero’s welcome, one of the largest gatherings seen at the Hall, waiting for him. Reports from his fellow comrades preceding him with their praise about his fortitude and presence of mind to bandage his leg, thus preventing loss of blood and saving his life. Two WWI soldiers carried Ted in on their shoulders through a cheering, flag-waving guard of honour of local children. Another veteran carried what Ted called his ‘timber yard’ -or crutches as he was seated on the stage and the song ‘For He's a Jolly Good Fellow’ ringing out. This was the same song which had echoed from his community when he was farewelled. Again, eloquent speeches were made including from Private Turner Bratton, a WWI digger initially from Tumby Bay, who had farewelled Ted just nine months previously. Ted responded with sincere thanks for the kindness shown to him and particularly appreciated the monetary gift then presented to him from the Cheer-up Club. Inevitably, the evening concluded with dancing and supper.
Ted then returned to Adelaide by train where he hoped to be fitted with an artificial leg but also to gain employment.
Private Eric Foggo, SX6533 in the 2/43rd Battalion, wounded with shrapnel two days after Ted on the 24th April, was operated on and saw Ted when the anaesthetic wore off. Typical of Ted’s generosity, he offered to deliver a letter directly to Eric’s parents at Ceduna:
“I am writing this letter to send home with Ted Boxer; who has had the misfortune to have his right leg blown off. It will probably be quite a long time before he reaches home, but I can let you know where I was when I got wounded.
"Well, we went from Palestine up to Tobruk, and were really supposed to guard the place and do some more training, but we had only been there about a fortnight when Fritz came through from Tripoli. So all the troops that were up in the front of us withdrew to Tobruk, and we had to defend that at all costs. We were put out on one of the fronts in concrete dugouts, with a good barb wire entanglement round us, so we were good-o.
"It was Good Friday morning when Fritz's tanks came around our front, but our artillery opened fire upon them and turned them back. Anyway, they were about two miles off, and didn’t even fire a shot at us. But a couple of days later they brought a few artillery guns up with them, and from then on they often used to open up and whizz a few shells over, but none of them landed very close to our section. It was quite exciting with Fritz's shells and dive bombers. They make you duck your head all right, but we were 'sweet' in the dugouts.
"On April 24 our company was told that we had to take out a fighting patrol to try and capture an enemy post. There was fifty wanted, so they asked for volunteers, and I was one of the volunteers taken. Of course, you can guess how pleased I was to have a go at them. We set out at eleven o'clock that night, and by the time we contacted them it was about four in the morning, but what with rifles, machine guns, and mortars, they got too hot for us so we got the order to re tire. It was just then that I stopped my bit of shrapnel, and as far as I know it came from a mortar bomb. Anyway, I retired all right, and at no slow a speed! They whizzed a few slugs at us as we were leaving, but didn't hit anyone.
"I got back to our post at about half past five, and, of course, they took me straight to the hospital in Tobruk. Next day I left on a hospital ship for Alexandria. We got there about 10 o'clock in the morning on the 28th, and I spent the night in a 'pommie' hospital. Next day I came down here to Cantara, which is an Australian hospital. At Tobruk they put me to sleep with morphia while they dressed the wound, and the first thing I saw when I woke up was Ted Boxer two beds away.
"I am going back to base to-morrow, and I suppose it will be quite a while before I get back to the line unless they have cleared the road. I am anxious to get back again because they haven't frightened me yet.”
A similar letter from Private Harold Parker, SX7572 gives an insight into the positive effect Ted had on those with whom he fought:
“Ted Boxer enlisted about the same time as me, and one couldn't wish for a better pal. So no doubt you can realize how sorry us boys were when he was wounded. I was very pleased to hear that Ted arrived home safely and has done so well: was surprised to hear he was getting a leg so soon. Of course, times goes very quickly, and it's over four months since he was wounded. It is over three since I was wounded, and I am still here, although I thought I would have been out nearly two months ago, but it just won't heal. It's getting right now, so I shouldn't be much longer.
I was very disappointed when I came to this hospital. Ted was here, and it was a few days before he left for Australia that a bloke told me that he would tell Ted that I was down so he could drop round to see me. He must have forgotten, so I missed seeing him as J couldn't move from the bed.
I don't think anyone could have taken a knock better than he did. He was just marvellous. It was some time before he was picked up, and he had lost a terrible lot of blood. The average man would never have seen it through, but all the way on the lorry, which was some considerable distance across the rough desert, Ted just lay there smoking, and to look at his face one wouldn't have thought he had even a scratch. It was just the good spirit of Ted that helped us along. Some days things wouldn't be going the best, dust, heat, and shortage of water—and we'd all start rousing, and he would say something and start a laugh, and in pretty short time we'd all forgotten we had troubles and be quite contented.
If you see Ted, remember me to him, and tell him I am doing fine- never felt hotter- and every day has been just the same since he left extra hot.”
Unexpectedly, Major George Bull wrote to Ted expressing his sympathy for the injury sustained in the fighting at Tobruk. This gesture was particularly appreciated.
Eventually Ted was fitted for an artificial leg. By January of 1942 the Medical Board concluded that Ted was ‘permanently unfit for service’. Ted paid tribute to those killed in the action where he, also almost lost his life:
Advertiser Saturday 29 August 1942, PHILLIPS.- Killed in action on July 22, Pte. Arthur Leonard Phillips. When last I saw your smiling face, You looked so bright and well. Little did I think that day, It would be my last farewell. - Inserted by one of his tent mates, returned from active service, ex-Pte. Ted Boxer. SMITH.- Killed in action on July 22, L-Cpl. Ted Smith. He went with the hope of returning, Along with his comrades brave; But with many a hero he's sleeping In an honored soldier's grave. - Inserted by one of his tent mates, returned from active service, ex-Pte, Ted Boxer.

Ted gained employment in munitions work, with a local from Ceduna reporting that Ted was getting quite used to his artificial limb and could hold his own in pushing through a crowd and fighting for a seat on the train. Ted returned to Penong in March of ’44 with others, including Eric ‘Tick’ Foggo where the Cheer Up Club welcomed the men back and sincerely thanked them for the service given to their country. Ted and the others expressed their appreciation for the gifts and the organising of the event.
Post war Ted lived at Cheltenham. He continued to be part of a study on the effects of Phantom Limbs and Pains in Amputation Stumps for almost a decade from 1944 to 1953. He also kept in contact with others from the Eyre Peninsula with whom he had fought, including Gordon Broad from Minnipa. Ted met and married Doreen, making her three children, Ern, Rhonda and Shirley his own.
Aged 62, Ted died on the 14th April 1974. A plaque commemorating his service is in the Derrick Gardens, Centennial Park. Doreen survived him for another 20 years and died on the 9th February, 1994.
Written and researched by Kaye Lee daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133 2/48th Battalion.