Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Walter was born in Stepney on the 12th May 1915 in Kingscote, SA the only child of Thomas and Margaret Ellen Birrell. Both parents were originally from the country, Margaret being born in Blinman and Thomas in Terowie, in the mid-north. Thomas served as a Private in WWI, spending time in France before safely returning home to his wife and small son.
Post school, Walter worked in a newsagency in Adelaide for a Mr Blunden. However, with the outbreak of WWII and having just turned 25, Walter enlisted on the 21st June 1940 to become SX6060. He was assigned to the newly formed 2/48th Battalion, where his initial days were spent in the cold of the Pavilions, now part of the Royal Adelaide Showgrounds. The new enlistees then headed to Woodside for their preliminary training. After pre-embarkation leave, 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 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. They were to become the famed Rats of Tobruk, in the most highly decorated but decimated Battalion.
Within a month of arriving in Tobruk, and just days prior to his 26th birthday, Walter was killed in action probably on May 1st less than a year after enlisting. (However, in the fierce fighting it was difficult to keep accurate records but his grave reinternment record indicate it could also have been on the 2nd.) John Glenn in his book, ‘Tobruk to Tarakan’ described conditions at Dimra on that day: “At 3:50 am on 1st May the men of the 2/48th stood-to to await the outcome of the battle which had raged all through the night. In thick mist, darkness, and bitter cold they snatched a quick breakfast of bully beef and hard biscuits.”
The remainder of that day was chaotic, information scant, the men weary and under heavy fire and a sandstorm raged. The next morning there was a terrific dust storm but a foot patrol set out to find their soldiers who had not returned. For a few of those missing men it was some time before their fate was confirmed, and for Walter’s parents, their wait for confirmation lasted two years and five months. An incredibly harrowing time for them both. Mark Johnson in his recent book, ‘Derrick In His Own Words’ explained that ‘On 1 May the 2/48th suffered 51 casualties, including 16 killed. Besides Walter, these included Herbert Neumann SX8014 from Aldgate, Robert Carey SX7943 from Portland, John Christerson SX7791 from Yorketown, John Marshall SX7759 from Hawthorn, William Gates SX6867 from Brompton and Allan Glanville Porter SX7315 all from the 2/48th Battalion. A tragic day.
Back home, the Mail in May ‘41 reported that Walter was posted as ‘missing’. ‘Mr. T. Birrell of Stepney Street, Stepney, has received advice that his son. Pte. Walter Alfred Birrell of a South Australian infantry unit, has been posted missing. Pte. Birrell was 25, and was well-known in the city as a member of the newsagency staff of Mr. T. Blunden. He left for overseas in November.’
The Chronicle first reported the known deaths on the 29th May. More South Australians Killed In Action.— Pte. Douglas E. Bagshaw, SX7468, Infantry, McLaren Flat; Pte. George T. Brown, SX6935, Infantry, Barmera; Cpl. Leslie H. Tonkin, SX6911, Infantry, Paskeville; Pte. William G. Westland, SX7688, Infantry, Robe; Pte. Raymond G. Young, SX6607, Infantry, Hoyleton.
With no news emerging and hope that he had been wounded or taken prisoner fading, his parents posted a poignant, heart-wrenching memorial in the Advertiser on the 1st May 1942. ‘BIRRELL. —One year today since our dear son, Pte. Walter Alfred Birrell has been missing. Not a word have we received. It is so sad to wait for word; Do not ask if we miss him. No one knows the bitter pain We have suffered since he left us. Life has never been the same. —Ever remembered by his loving mother and father.’
It was not until September 11th 1943 that the Mail was able to definitely headline a report ‘Missing 28 Months, Now Reported Killed Mr. and Mrs T. Birrell of Stepney Street Stepney, were notified today that their only son. Pte. Walter Alfred Birrell 27 was killed in action on May 18. 1941. It is two years and four months since he was reported missing. Pte. Birrell was well known in the city as a member of the newsagency staff of Mr. T. Blunden. He left for overseas in November, 1940.’ It appears that the date of death was a little inaccurate as was his age, calculated to be at the date of the announcement. They received much appreciated support from family and friends, prompting a public thank you in the Advertiser Monday 20 September 1943, ‘BIRRELL. — Mr. and Mrs. T. Birrell of Stepney, wish to thank all kind friends and relatives for their kind expressions of sympathy in the loss of their son Walter Alfred.’ Grief stricken, they posted no more in memoriums for their beloved only child in ensuing years.
Walter and his fellow 2/48th soldiers were eventually re-buried on the 17th May ’44 at the Knightsbridge War cemetery, Acroma, Walter in Plot 7 Row A Grave 17. He is surrounded by others from the 2/48th Battalion including Sergeant Leslie K. Tonkin, SX6911, Private Raymond J. Cooke SX8862, Pte Douglas E. Bagshaw SX7468, Private John H Marshall SX7759, Private Robert Carey SX7943 and Private Raymond G. Young SX6607 all of whom lost their lives on May 1st. Walter’s family chose the inscription ‘His Duty Nobly Done’ and a cross to mark his headstone.
Margaret’s grief at the loss of her beloved son may well have contributed to her death, aged 72 in November, 1947. Thomas lived to be 84. Both are interred in the West Terrace cemetery but in different plots.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.