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War Memorial
Australia

Roland’s life was to be anything but quiet and ordinary. He was the first-born son of Percy George and Clarice Bryant (nee Rees) who lived in Kapunda, the first early and rich copper mining area in South Australia which attracted skilled workers from Cornwall. Roland (affectionately known as Rol) was born on the 12th June, 1914 his older sister Mollie in 1912 and younger brother Don, in 1918. His parents lived in the close-knit town for over 30 years with his father being involved with the S.A. Farmers’ Union and also had duties of post and telegraph master in the Kapunda Post Office as well as being active in the local community through the Bowling, Racing and Coursing Clubs. Clarice was also an active member of the local Croquet Club.
Aged just eight years old, Roland shot to unwanted fame, featuring in the Adelaide based Register, Chronicle, Observer, Journal, Advertiser and News as well as the local based Kapunda Herald newspapers. Out exploring, the Register reported that Roland ‘saw a heap of earth and jumped over it, -to disappear down the shaft on the other side. Assistance was immediately sought, and with the aid of a rope, Mr. Laurie Bensch descended the shaft, which is 60 ft. deep. He found the boy conscious, and tying the rope round him, sent him to the surface, where it was ascertained that be had broken one of bis legs. The lad had a remarkable escape from death. He was removed to the local hospital and attended by Dr. Riddell, who had arrived at the shaft by the time the injured boy was rescued. Mr. Bensch's action in going down the shaft was particularly plucky, as the excavation is an old one, and the air was not tested before be descended.’
The community immediately recognised the act of heroism and began a collection for a presentation of a gold watch and chain at a public meeting at the Messrs. Elder, Smith & Co's corner in the main street. The watch, presented by the Mayor, bore the inscription “Presented to L. C. Bensch by the residents of Kapunda and district in recognition of his heroic rescue of Master Roland Bryant from shaft, Kapunda Mine, September 3, 1922." The Mayor added ‘he did not want Mr. Bensch to think that the testimonial was made as a reward or as payment for what he had done, but as a tribute to a very brave action. He hoped he would live many years to wear the watch and chain, and when the time came, he could hand it down to his children as a reminder of what their father did as a young man.’
Percy Bryant also presented a gold medal from his Roland, bearing the inscription: -"Presented, to Laurie Bensch for rescuing me from the mine shaft, Kapunda, September 3, 1922, Roland Bryant, 8 years." Percy added ‘His little boy, who was at present in the hospital knew and appreciated what had been done for him, and his first enquiry on the morning after the accident was regarding Mr. Bensch's safety. He could assure that young man, that if his boy continued to live in Kapunda, and Mr. Bensch did the same, he would always have a deep feeling of gratitude toward him for what he had done.’
The Kapunda Herald also reported on the bravery: ‘The Australian had two outstanding characteristics — initiative and pluck. Those two characteristics had carried their Australian soldiers to the heights of Gallipoli, and afterwards enabled them to fight so well on the battle fields of Belgium and France, and to qualify themselves as the best fighters in the world. It was also pleasing to know that those qualities were evident in civil life.’ The community also approached the Royal Humane Society, which in September ’23 at Government House, awarded Roland’s rescuer with a bronze medal.
Life returned to ‘normal’ for Roland as he submitted his pet in a newly created section of the Kapunda Show and becoming one of six prize winners. Two years later, as a 12 year old, his Kapunda Primary School became involved in planting ornamental trees along Mildred Street and Roland was elected to represent his Grade VI class. Aged 12, with his father retiring from work, Roland’s family relocating to Millswood, a suburb of Adelaide in 1926. Roland had not lost his sense of adventure but unfortunately was caught climbing over the fence at the Wayville Showgrounds during a trotting meeting. He was subsequently fined 10/, with 10s costs, for having ‘committed a breach of the Showgrounds By-laws Act at Wayville.’
His relatively carefree life was disrupted when, just prior to his 16th birthday, Roland’s father, Percy died at Millswood in April ’31. His mother soon after moved to the seaside town of Glenelg. At this time, Roland was then working for the carriers, Rofe and Company.
When WWII erupted, Roland enlisted on the 1st July 1940, just after his 26th birthday. He was allocated the number SX7296 in the newly formed 2/48th Battalion. His initial days were spent in the cold of the Pavilions, now part of the Royal Adelaide Showgrounds before the new enlistees headed to Woodside for their preliminary training. (Roland’s younger brother, Don also enlisted three months later on October 1st, having been in the Militia as SN48001. He also was allocated to the 2/48th Battalion, rising to become Captain and a career soldier. During his service he was awarded the Military Cross before finally retiring in 1970.)
By November ’40 the 2/48th contingent embarked on the Stratheden for the Middle East, on the 7th November 1940, arriving on the 19th December 1940. Their 2/48th Battalion completed a few months training in Cyrenaica before heading to Tobruk. Over this time, Roland rose to the rank of Corporal. He was reported wounded in action in newspapers of September ‘42 before reports of his untimely death, on the 25th October 1942, aged 28.
John Glenn in ‘Tobruk to Tarakan’ describes the carnage caused by the chance hit by an enemy shell on a truck loaded with mines.
‘An ear shattering explosion dwarfed the sound of the guns into insignificance. Seven other trucks, all ladened with mines, had been set off. The whole area became a ghastly raging inferno. As trucks burned and exploded a great wall of fire shot into the sky. The gun flashes seemed dimmed; night was turned into day. The concussion was terrific. Steve Fitzgerald who was bringing up the mortar truck, which was laden with bombs, was seventy or so yards behind the trucks when the first one went off. His vehicle rocked in the blast, and, blinded by the flash, he was thrown clear out of it and onto the ground. Russ Lucas and Doug Richardson, who were manning a wireless set in a nearby trench, were temporarily stunned, but by gallant effort they got one man out of the trucks. He died in their arms. Parts of their wireless set were never found; the batteries were picked up two hundred yards away. Two thousand mines went up in this explosion; all the war equipment of both B and D Companies was destroyed. Of the ten men who were in the vehicles, not one was saved. They were: Corporal R. Bryant, W.D. Cockshell, W.C. Quinn, J.J. Buckley, H.S. Searle, W.A. Craig, C. Fraser, C.H. Schulz, C.E. Dolling and F. Parkyn.’
Roland’s death was reported back home in the Advertiser on the 20th November: ‘Mrs. C. Bryant, Farrell Street, Glenelg, has been notified that her eldest son, Cpl Roland Bryant, was killed in action in Egypt on October 25. He served In Tobruk Syria and Palestine. Before enlisting he was employed by Rofe & Co. Mrs. Bryant has also been advised that her youngest son, Cpt. Don Bryant, has been wounded in action in Egypt.’
Roland was initially buried in the field with those who were killed with him. He was later re-buried on the 25th January ’43 then on the 27th March 1945 in the El Alamein Cemetery, Plot A IV Row E. Grave 8. His mother chose the simple inscription for his headstone ‘Resting’. He now lies with Staff Sergeant Charles Fraser SX7296 and Privates Harry Searle SX8143, William A Craig WX9850, William D.C. Cockshell SX10464, Charles E. Dolling SX13512, Joseph Buckley SX8459, William C. Quinn SX7176 and Clem Schulz SX7732, all from the 2/48th Battalion and killed in the same explosion.
Family and friends remembered Roland.
Advertiser November 1942, page 8 BRYANT. —Killed in action, in Egypt. on October 25. Corporal Roland Bryant, eldest son of Mrs. and the late P. G. Bryant, of Glenelg, and loving brother of Mollie.
BRYANT. —A tribute ot love and friendship to Roll, killed in action Oct. 25. 1942. A loving friend, a heart or gold, one of the best this world could hold. Ever remembered by Bill and Linda Byrth. BRYANT. —Killed In Egypt Oct. 25. Cpl. Roland Bryant, eldest beloved son of Mrs. and the late P. G. Bryant, Glenelg and loving brother of Mollie and Don (A.I.F.) BRYANT, Cpl. Roland. —Always remembered with deep love and affection. —From Ethel M. Best and Ted (A.I.F.).
Advertiser Monday 25 October 1943, BRYANT. —In loving memory of my dear son Roland, killed in action at El Alamein, October. 1942. —Inserted by his loving mother. BRYANT. —A loving memory of Rol, killed October 25. 1942.—Ever remembered by Linda and Bill Byrth. A I F. BRYANT. —In loving memory of Rol. killed at El Alamein. October. 1942.—Inserted by Mick and Phyl. BRYANT. —In loving memory of my brother, killed in action at El Alamein October 25. —Ever remembered by his loving sister. Mollie. BRYANT, Cpl. Roland. — ln loving memory of dear old Rol. A gallant gentleman. — From Ethel Best.
His hometown of Kapunda also continues to remember Roland’s service both on their Soldier’s Monument and their Honour Roll.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.