Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Rex Alwin ALTSCHWAGER SX6884
Rex was born in Edithbourgh on the Yorke Peninsula on the 28th August 1914 to Herman and Matilda. He was one of ten children including Ivor, Robert, Iris, Dudley, Ina, Ken, Joan, Teresa and Mary. At the time, Herman worked as a labourer in the local salt factory until moving the family to live in the Riverland at Barmera.
Aged 24 Rex was quite community minded, acting as MC for the Loveday School dance held in the local school hall in1936. That same year he announced his engagement to Kathleen Warnock of Loveday in July. The young couple enjoyed an evening hosted by the Barmera Bachelors ‘Men of Freedom’ in August ’39 with the local ‘Pioneer’ newspaper reporting Kathleen as wearing a ‘teal green satin worn with a gold coatee.’
The two married on the 18th May 1940 at St Francis Church in Barmera where they continued to live. However with the outbreak of war and labouring jobs scarce, Rex enlisted age 25 on 12th June 1940 at Glossop. He then travelled to Wayville where he officially became Private Altschwager, SX6884. His younger brother, Kenneth was also a member of the militia as Private S306757.
Two books which detail Diver Derrick’s career make mention of Rex. The first, written by Murray Frarquhar, ‘Derrick V.C.’ explained Derrick’s penchant for coining nicknames. Prior to embarking, Clem Billing, (SX6829) gave the example where ‘Bill Gates (SX6867) and Red Altschwager became great mates. Derrick christened them ‘Hia’ and ‘Watha’ names which stuck until Bill Gates (Hia) was killed at Tobruk. Both men served in Derrick’s platoon. During training, Rex took an early leave to see his new wife before leave was officially granted resulting in a fine.
Rex and that intake embarked for the Middle East on the Stratheden on the 7th November 1940. In Mark Johnston’s recently published book, ‘Derrick VC In His Own Words’ there is an entry on December 3rd 1940 commenting thar 4 Just Men, probably Derrick, Butcher, Altschwager and Gates were all on fatigue duty and did nothing all day. He explained the name 4 Just Men was from a ’39 film about four British veterans involved in foiling a plot to blow up the Suez Canal. Johnson’s meticulous annotations of Derrick’s diaries shows an entry of 7th January ’41 “Hia and Watha gone for 2 days leave to Tel Aviv” illustrating the closeness of the two enlistees. Two months later, Rex was admonished for not attending a parade in March ‘41
In the sparseness of his journal entries collated by Johnston, Derrick captures the horror of war and the brutal effects of losing a mate. He writes “2 May 1941 (Friday)Behind the Blue Line, Tobruk, Libya. Out early after a terrible experience – digging in about 1½ miles from front line. 2/10th going forward now – the 2/23 & 2/24 [were] cut about more than us. Will never forget the bloody blue of May the First. My cobber “Hia” Bill Gates shot in head with M.G. [machine-gun] fire, died in a few mins saying goodbye to his inseparable pal “Watha” who is in a pretty bad way about it.” Mark Johnson explained that ‘On 1 May the 2/48th suffered 51 casualties, including 16 killed. By the end of May Derrick had compiled a list of the men left in his platoon, clearly indicating how the numbers had been decimated. Only six of those served with the 2/48th for the entirety of the war. These included Rex and Bryan Holmes.
The 15 December, 1943 brought some normality for Rex when he and Kath were blessed with the arrival of their daughter, Rosemary Teresa born at Calvary Hospital. Rex, though was soon sent to New Guinea where, shortly after his arrival, he sustained 3rd degree burns, causing him to be transferred to the Australian General Hospital.
With peace finally declared, Rex was discharged in September 1945. A son, Michael Rex was born in December’46 and Archie at Barmera on 27th April ’47. Later that year, Rex’s father Herman died in the Barmera Hospital aged 63 in October.
The family welcomed their third son, Ken on 30 August ’48 also born at the Barmera Hospital. In a distressing blow to the family, their four-year-old son, Michael Rex died on 26th March, 1950 and was buried in the Barmera Cemetery with his grandparents Herman and Matilda. The following year Paul Michael was born on 23 May ’51 followed by Tony on February 16th 1953 and Warren.
Aged 64, Rex died on 1st August, 1979 a similar age to that of his father and was buried in the Loxton Cemetery. His daughter, Rosemary, who died on the 18th April 1988, aged 54, was later buried with him.
Post War, Rex did not receive his medals. However, after his death, his son Paul with Kathleen’s support, applied to have them presented to the family in 1989. Their request was supported by the local Loxton RSL sub-branch President. Finally the medals earned under such horrific conditions arrived. They were the 1939/45 Star, the African Star with 8th Army Clasp, Pacific Star, Defence Medal, War Medal and Australian Service Medal.
Rex and his brother Ken are commemorated on the Roll of Honour in Barmera.
Kathleen died on the 6th January 2004, aged 87. She is buried in the Loxton Cemetery with two of her children, Rose and Michael
Researched and written by Kaye Lee Daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133 2/48th Battalion.

Born 28 August 1914 at Edithburgh, SA
Son of Herman Gustav ALTSCHWAGER and Matilda Frances nee ROGERS
Resided Barmera,SA
Enlisted 29 June 1940 at Wayville, SA
Discharged 18 September 1945