Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Richard (Dick) was the second son born in the northern suburb of Prospect on the 25th January 1908, to William John and Clara Jane Carmac. His three brothers were Norris William John and twins, Kenneth Hassel and Keith Davis. The boys all attended Woodside School, then by the time Dick was 14, he had gained Second Class qualifications in fitting and turning through the School of Mines. Post school, Dick had several labouring jobs but at the time of enlisting to serve in WWII, aged 32 he was unemployed as a result of the Depression.
When Dick was 28, his 73-year-old father, William died in March ’37 at Birdwood and was buried in the North Road Cemetery. Dick and later his wife, Melva continued to remember William through ‘In Memorium’ notices in the Advertiser.
As a young man, Dick was active in the Balhannah Methodist Choir, taking an interest in the other members, including young Lloyd Moyse who celebrated his birthday with usual country activities of community singing, competitions, table tennis and games. Dick made the presentation of a gift on behalf of the choir and gave a speech praising the young man and his involvement.
Dick proposed to Melva Hedwig, the youngest daughter of Mr and Mrs T. Wegener of Birdwood in November ‘35. The young couple were both involved in two of Melva’s brothers’ weddings, the first when Walter married Venetta Ramm in October ‘34 and the second at Edwin Wegner’s wedding to Olive Hurford in June ’36. Melva was a bridesmaid in both, and Dick was best man for Walter and a groomsman for Edwin. Melva and Dick’s own wedding was in the Birdwood Lutheran Church in March ’38. Their son, Richard was born in the Gumeracha Hospital in February ’39 and a second son, John at the Mt Pleasant Hospital post war, in August ’47.
On the 1st July ’40, Dick enlisted as SX7380 and was allocated to the 2/48th Battalion. Four days later, 27-year-old Eric Maloney (Paddy) from nearby Birdwood, enlisted on the 5th July ’40, becoming SX8019 and also allocated to the 2/48th Battalion. (Dick’s younger brother, 30-year-old Ken had enlisted in October the previous year as SX16 in the Motor Transport Company and was closely followed by older brother, 34-year-old Norris in December as SX1629 in the 2/10th Battalion.)
Dick and Paddy’s initial days were spent in the cold of the Pavilions, now part of the Royal Adelaide Showgrounds, before they and other new enlistees headed to Woodside for their preliminary training. Back home on pre-embarkation leave, the Mount Barker Courier in October ’40 reported that ‘A farewell social was tendered to Pte. R. Camac in the institute hall on Monday last.’ Items were- given followed by games and community singing. Private Camac was then presented with a parcel. Paddy had received a similar parcel during the day as he was unable to be present at the social.
The young men then headed overseas, with their 2/48th Battalion, boarding the Stratheden for the Middle East, on the 7th November 1940 and disembarked on the 17th December. They completed a few months training in Cyrenaica before going to Tobruk at the start of April 1941 where the dust, flies, heat, minimal water supplies and constant bombardment were quite a challenge to these fresh new enlistees. Once there, a few months training in Cyrenaica ensued. Both young men were to become one of the now famed Rats of Tobruk in a battalion which was to be highly regarded and decorated.
Conditions in the Middle East were responsible for illnesses to inevitably be shared, and Dick was diagnosed with Relapsing Fever in November. However, within a year he was promoted to Corporal, just prior to his return to Australia, then by June ’43, he was a Sergeant.
In the damp, tropical conditions of Queensland, Dick experienced ongoing problems with foot infections, including tinea and cellulitis. This eventually led to his discharge in November ’44. His older brother,
Norris, who experienced several bouts of epilepsy and hypertension had previously been discharged in July ’42, and younger brother Ken was discharged in June ’44, having served in Egypt, Greece and New Guinea, the latter where he contracted malaria. Paddy Maloney also survived the war and was finally discharged in October ’45.
The Camac sons were able to spend several years in peace time with their mother, Clara before her death in December ’52.
Aged 74, Dick died on the 15th August ’82 and was buried in the Birdwood Cemetery. Melva lived to celebrate her 97th birthday and died in September 2002. She is buried alongside Dick.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.