Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Ernest known as Howard, was born on the 24th July 1920 to Christopher and Ivy Myrtle Chapman at Cowell. From the age of nine, Howard grew up in the Koongawa town where he and his siblings attended the local school. Each year in September, the small surrounding schools of Koongawa, Kyancutta, Cootra West and Cootra Central held an annual combined picnic on the Waddikee Rock Oval. Patriotically all the children would gather, salute the flag and sing the National Anthem followed by the 'Song of Australia.' An ample lunch was followed by races for the students. With so many locals present, a dance was held in the evening thus raising funds to cover the day’s picnic. Post school Howard returned to work on the family farm.
As did most country boys, Howard was soon involved in playing football in the forward lines with the Waddikee Rovers, which formed in ‘31 (with an enviable membership fee of 3/6, about 40 cents). Christopher Chapman also had several roles with the club, including being on the finance and general committee, as a timekeeper on match day and being a gate keeper. Howard’s mother was also active as one of the ‘lady helpers.’ With inevitable losses because of the newness of the team and the youthful inexperience, the team was still described as being ‘game’. However, by ’38 the team had developed to the extent that they took out the Premiership of the Middle Areas Football Association in 1938, playing against Cootra East, with Arthur Grocke, a future enlistee with Howard, also playing in the forward lines. Their victory dinner was held at the Koongawa Hall. Howard’s brother Eric also played in the forward lines.
It was therefore quite a blow to the team when WWII erupted. The West Coast Recorder was soon reporting news of quite different nature to grand final wins, rather soberly announcing that ‘Owing to the enlistments from the Waddikee Rover football team, the club is now almost depleted of players. All men from the district who have enlisted are members of the team, and are—Messrs. C. Payne, H. Chapman, H. Hier A. Grocke, C. Cummings, N. Grocke, J. Noyce, W. Payne, W. Stiggants and B. Darby.’ The Port Lincoln Times added ‘The Wadikee Rovers football team is practically finished, for the season owing to so many enlistments from their ranks. All who have enlisted to date are from the Waddikee Rovers football club and are a fine type of young man and will give a good account of themselves. These districts have only been in existence for about ten years, and it speaks well for such a young district that so many young men are joining up to fight for their country.’ Almost immediately the locals of Koongawa decided to form a local Comforts Committee to raise funds to provide comforts for all the boys who enlist from around Koongawa (better known as Waddikee Rock).
Howard was just 19 years old when he enlisted as SX7289 on the 1st July 1940 with fellow footballers Arthur Grocke being SX7291 and Norman Grocke SX7290. Howard and Arthur were both allocated to the newly formed 2/48th Battalion and Norman to the sister battalion, the 2/43rd. Jim Noyce, SX7432 was to join the 2/48th the following day.
The West Coast Recorder of July ’40 reported that ‘Seven young men left Koongawa last Wednesday by train for the 2nd A.I.F. They were Cyril Cummings, Henry Hier, Howard Chapman, Cedric Payne, Arthur and Norman Grocke, and Jim Noyce.’ (In the case of Cyril Cummings my great-uncle, a farmer, during the Depression he remained in the Warramboo District working as a builder and shearer earning one pound and 5 shillings ($1.50) per hundred, blade shearing until he enlisted.) Additionally, Eric Chapman (Waddikee Rock) ‘Cody' Duggin (Pygery) and Noel Wall (Kyancutta), had also enlisted. The newspaper proudly announced that ‘Kyancutta's war effort is now taking very definite shape.’
The first days for Howard were spent in the cold of the Pavilions, now part of the Royal Adelaide Showgrounds before the battalion headed to Woodside in the Adelaide Hills for preliminary training. The young soldiers were given pre-embarkation leave in October, with Howard and his fellow 2/48th soldiers, Privates Noyce and Grocke returning home to a farewell dance in their honour at the Waddikee Rock Hall. Many had come from Kyancutta, Warramboo and the surrounding district. The Comforts Fund and their local football team, the Waddikee Rovers presented the young men with knitted items, a handkerchief and pencil, a soldier’s Bible, inscribed watch and fountain pen. All then joined in singing 'For they are jolly good fellows.' Following supper all joined hands and sang 'Auld Lang Syne' before concluding with the National Anthem.
Howard and his fellow members of the 2/48th Battalion then embarked on the Stratheden for the Middle East, on the 7th November 1940. Unfortunately, in the close confines of the ship, Howard contracted mumps and was confined to hospital – not the start he had anticipated. Hospitalization continued after their arrival in the Middle East on the 19th December 1940 before Howard was eventually able to re-join his fellow soldiers in January. The Battalion completed a few months training in Cyrenaica. During those early days, the battalion settled into a Palestinian camp at Dimra, but besides regular army duties was the need to quickly adapt to the locals and local conditions. The new soldiers were soon involved in intense conflicts where the reputation of the 2/48th Battalion for being the most highly decorated but decimated battalion was earned.
Howard was soon in Tobruk in a fierce attempt to hold the vital seaport against the well drilled German forces and the more reluctant Italian conscripts. The fighting was relentless but resultantly numerous German and Italian prisoners and vehicles were taken. However, by May ’41 Howard was wounded in action with a gunshot wound to his hand, causing another bout of hospitalisation. John Glenn in his book Tobruk to Tarakan describes that ‘the battle had raged all through the night. In thick mist, darkness and bitter cold they snatched a quick breakfast of bully beef and hard biscuits.’ ‘Wave after wave of German dive bombers attacked the perimeter during the morning and at midday, they swept over our battalion area where their bombing was joined with a heavy concentration of enemy artillery fire. The men went quickly to cover.’ Lives and equipment were lost so the details of Howard’s injury went unreported.
Conditions were challenging in the heat, dust and less than hygienic setting, but there were small breaks for the men, including near the Harbour where the men could bath and wash their clothes in the sea – a welcome time. Howard continued with nightly reconnaissance involvement but was unfortunate to contract pharyngitis in August ’41 and again was briefly hospitalised.
1942 was not the best start to the year as the 2/48th arrived in El Alamein with Howard receiving two separate charges of ‘conduct to the prejudice of good order’. It was to be a challenging year. Within two years of enlisting, many of the names published in the local paper praising them for enlisting, were again to appear in print in June ’42 but with more unwelcome news. ‘Died Of Injuries L/Cpl N. D. Wall, SX7783, Inf., Kyancutta. Placed On Seriously Ill List Sgt. H. F. McFarlane, S25671, Inf., Renmark. Norm Grocke, Arthur Grocke, Eric Chapman, Cedric Payne, Cyril Cummings Henry Hier (Waddikee Rock), Jim Noyce (Warramboo), and Mr. "Cody' Duggin (Pygery).
By October Howard received a gunshot wound in his right arm, resulting in extended time in hospital before he was able to re-join his unit in January the following year.
By November ’42 the community at home was hit hard by the death of a highly respected Waddikee Footballer, Driver Cedric Payne SX9777 who played both football and cricket with Howard. The West Coast Recorder paid tribute to Cedric ‘who died of injuries after an accident while serving with the A.I.F. in New Guinea, was a son of Mr. and Mrs. S. H. Payne, of Koongawa, of which district he was the first to enlist (June 1940). He left Australia in October 1940 and saw service in the Middle East, going right through the Syrian campaign. He returned to Australia last April and was later sent to New Guinea. Driver Payne was an outstanding member of the Waddikee Rovers' football team and vice-captain of the local cricket team. He received part of his education at the Koongawa school and at the time of enlisting, was working on his father's farm. He was well known in Koongawa and surrounding districts and held in popular and high regard.’ The following year Howard and his wife Margaret posted a tribute to Cedric in the Advertiser. ‘PAYNE. C. S. —In proud and loving memory of our pal, Cedric, died of injuries in New Guinea October 1. 1942. Beneath the Cross of Sacrifice, among the honored brave.—Remembered by Marg, Howard (A.I.F).’
It was fortuitous that Howard was able to head home to Australia from the Middle East, arriving in Melbourne in February ’43. A train trip brought him to Adelaide, then home for well-earned leave. This was a time for the Cootra East Comforts Fund to celebrate with Koongawa organising a dance in honour of the returning soldiers, Howard, the Grocke brothers, Wally Clark and Colin Stringer. They marched through a guard of honor and received numerous speeches praising their service and patriotism. Cootra East hosted a further dance in their Hall the following weekend, again highlighting the appreciation of the service the men were giving.
Unfortunately, Howard contracted Dengue Fever, diagnosed whilst back in Australia in April ’43 and he was again hospitalised. At this stage, Howard’s oldest brother Christopher Charles, who had been farming, enlisted, becoming SX19513, serving at various posts in Australia before being discharged in February ’46.
The 2/48th moved to the Atherton Tablelands in Queensland to train to face a totally different enemy and in very different conditions before they headed to tropical New Guinea and the Japanese forces. An incident recounted by Judith Long in The Waddikee Rock Honor Roll, tells of a time whilst the battalion was training ‘that Howard save the life of Private Arthur Whyte from Kimba who had his left arm severely injured in an accident during a jungle assault course. He was bleeding profusely, and Howard used his shirt as a makeshift stretcher to carry Arthur to medical help.’ Arthur lost his arm but post war, became interested in politics, becoming a member of the Legislative Assembly, representing the Liberal Party and eventually being awarded an AM for his services.
Tropical conditions contributed to Howard and many of his fellow soldiers contracting tinea in November ’43 as they fought through constantly wet conditions in the jungle, cutting their way through thick bamboo whilst also carrying their own supplies. Howard was detached with an Advanced Party on Special duties in January ’44. In the tropical conditions, by February ’44, Howard had completed his special duties and rejoined the 2/48th but unfortunately decided on ‘unofficial’ leave, which proved to be costly with him losing a week’s pay. However, by June he received a promotion to Lance Corporal but within a week had contracted a severe fever and was hospitalised. He had survived the fighting and with the war drawing to a close was able to return to Australia via Brisbane in February ’44. Well-earned leave followed, with the welcome dance again being arranged for Howard, Arthur and Norman Grocke at Koongawa in March.
By December ’44 there was an acute shortage of labour for farmers to effectively bring in their crops. Consequently, Howard’s discharge was authorised for him to return to help his father on the farm, but the penalty appeared to be for him to revert to being a Private. The memories of his fighting days, the loss of good men and his injuries were to remain with him.
In a joyous occasion, Howard married his long-term sweetheart, Margaret Bienke in the Cootra East Hall in March ’45. The young couple were to have four children, Joyleen, Barry, Marilyn and Tony. Post war, Howard returned to his Waddikee Rovers football team being chosen in May ’45 as chairman and secretary when it was decided to reform the football club. He played in a match in July ’46 against Warramboo scoring three goals and was named in the best player list. He consistently maintained this form for many years. Not unexpectedly, Margaret was also active in her support of the local basketball (now called netball) as well as being part of a musical group with Howard’s brother Eric at various local functions.
In ’49 a small advertisement appeared in the Port Lincoln Times which would make Howard’s descendants ruing the sale of a ‘Harley Davidson Motor Cycle and Sidecar. Bike needs repairs, sidecar, frame, wheels, tyres, tubes as new, £25 or nearest offer. H. Chapman, Kyancutta.’ However, that year Howard had an exceptional season playing for Waddike in cricket. In a match against Pygery he took 7 wickets for 12 runs as a bowler and followed with top scoring runs of 98. The following season Howard again received accolades for his 100-run partnership with Allan Matthews in just over 30 minutes. Again, this fine form continued in the ensuing years. Howard continued to remember those with whom he served, being active in the RSL including in the role of President.
Distressingly, their 18-year-old son, Tony Grant was killed in a car accident in December 1981. Howard lived to be 68 and died on the 19th January ’89. He now rests in the Wudinna Cemetery where a plaque commemorates his service. Margaret lived into her 80’s and died on the 9th October, 2008. She rests with Howard in the Protestant Section in Plot 228 with their son, Tony in the plot alongside.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.