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Born on New Year’s Day, 1914 at Loxton, Bruno was the sixth son in a family of ten of (Elizabeth) Helena Linke and Carl Bernhardt Hombsch. His siblings included Walter, Wilhelm (Bill) Theodor (Fred) Helena (who died soon after her birth in 1906), Harold, Paul (Ross), Ronald, Robert and Lorna. Life was at times quite eventful as the families worked long hours to make a success of their land. In one incident, Bruno’s father sustained a broken collarbone and extensive bruising when he was thrown from his horse. He had been riding to nearby Loveday to work on one of the unallocated blocks in preparation for the summer season.
As a child, everyone was expected to help, so their lifestyle was one of activity and cooperation but there certainly were times of celebration which often included the entire family and community. At the end of each academic year, the Cobdogla School held their annual picnic on the North Lake, considered the ideal picnic spot. Almost any form of transport was used, including motor lorries to transport children, parents, staff and the school committee, food, book prizes and other necessities. Because of the heat, early in the day the water had first claim on the children, before everyone sat down to an extensive luncheon This was followed with each child being given a bag of sweets and oranges. Sporting competitions followed with Bruno placing creditably in flat races and the three-legged race.
The local community was tight knit, often organising other social events that also helped raise funds for the Institute. One such event was a Gymkhana and mixed sports day at the Cobdogla Oval. As an 11-year-old, Bruno proved to be a competent runner in the Boy’s Under 14 flat race as well as showing his skills as a bowler in an aptly named ‘Bowling at the wicket’ event. The following year in 1927, a gala day was held at the Loveday Park Oval, with offerings such as a high tea, cool drinks and ice cream, sweets and fancy goods, produce, cheap jack, poppy garden, hoop-la and a mixture of sports. Bruno and his younger brother Ronald were pitted against each other in the Over 9 100-yard sprint and not unexpectedly finishing in birth order, first and second. That year the Cobdogla R.A.O.B. also held a picnic at the North Lake. The Buffalo Lodge provided sweets, fruit and lollies for the children followed by a programme of sports with Bruno winning the boys’ under 12 flat race and three legged race. River competitions were also held, including races and a regatta tyre race won by Bruno.
As the children became older, North Lakes continued to be a popular venue for families to gather as in January 31 the Cobdogla Young Men’s Club where Bruno again showed his youthful expertise in winning the three-legged race. Despite the best effort of Bruno and his team, the tug of war was declared a draw.
As was quite common in that era, there was a large extended family all related to Carl and Helena living in the Cobdogla region. At times this caused some challenges as when 22-year-old Bruno, working as a carrier, was taken to the Barmera Police Court in 1936 by an inspector for driving a lorry of ‘goods over a controlled road between Adelaide and Cobdogla’ at Gepps Cross with a mixed load of cool drinks, petrol, oil, peas, chaff, sugar, granose, fruit and vegetables as well as carrying several fruit pickers to Cobdogla. This had been offered as a thoughtful gesture as Bruno had not charged the men for the lift. In his defence, Bruno attempted to explain to the Court that “round him at Cobdogla lived seven brothers and families. He carried for them when necessary. They pooled resources. Money was placed to his account at the bank and he drew the cheques as occasion required.”
The volume of the sugar Bruno carried was queried but, being a fruit area, he attempted to explain that the sugar was used for jam making by the five related families, and the cool drinks were for a local Sunday picnic attended by over 60 people (an activity that underpinned the social life of the Cobdogla community.) Some doubt was cast on the reporting inspector who ‘hid himself and then tried to get a conviction.’ Bruno’s solicitor explained that Bruno lived in what might be termed a communal family and his intention had not been to contravene the Transport Control Act. The Cobdogla baker, Alfred Allen, also explained that sugar was able to be ordered in his name as he and Bruno were well known to each other so this was not an unusual transaction. Allen added “My credit is good in Adelaide and if I ordered sugar from any firm I should get it.” Bruno was let off with a minimal fine and the Inspector came across as being particularly officious.
The young men of the extended Hombsch family provided a sound basis for the Cobdogla sporting teams, especially football. Older brother Harold was a consistent player for Cobdogla, gaining the trophy for the umpires’ voted ‘fairest and most brilliant player’ in the B grade of ’32. These two brothers, Walter and Harold tied to win the Eitzen Trophy in the Upper Murray competition of ‘36, in which case two trophies were generously awarded. That year Walter, Albert and Ronald also attracted the umpire’s votes. By ’39 Harold was voted Captain of the Cobdogla team with his brother Walter as Vice-captain. In that first match all three brothers scored 11 goals between them. In the Grand Final the Hombsch brothers were described as ‘towers of strength’ as they lead their side to a stirring victory and again. Ronald was also chosen as a ruckman when he and Harold were both selected for the representative Upper Murray team to play against the West Torrens League team at Berri. They were the only two Cobdogla players to be selected. Bruno also followed his older brothers in becoming a useful footballer with mentions in the local paper that he ‘played well for the home team, and justified his selection as 19th man, in the match against South Adelaide’ – a prestigious event. Similarly, the brothers were a force to be reckoned with in cricket as both batsmen and bowlers.
In an accident that could have proved fatal, Bruno’s father narrowly escaped death when repairing the underpart of his motor lorry. He had instructed his son to move the lorry forward slightly but in doing so the motor crossed his leg and a “portion of the under carriage threw his head in the front of the wheel. The lad then aware of the danger, managed to stop before the wheel could go over Mr. Hombsch's head. His leg was badly bruised and he will be laid aside for some time by the injuries received” the ‘Murray Pioneer and Australian River Record’ reported.
By the 1930’s wheat and cut wood prices were at their lowest, forcing farmers in the Riverland area to look at the alternative of extending the irrigation scheme and go in for sheep raising on small river frontage areas. This was seen as more profitable. Coincidentally Bruno who was willing and able to turn his hand to many forms of work, also gained employment for the local Muller family by droving a good-looking mob of wethers on the road to his yards.
Bruno also spent much time on the road carting goods in his truck as a contractor. However, in 1934 in a period of inattention, he was caught doing almost twice the legal limit past the Nailsworth School at a speed of 29 miles an hour. It was an expensive exercise for a 20-year-old, costing him 15/ with 15/ costs.
The family was shattered when Bruno’s father, Carl, aged just 63 died suddenly at the family home in 1935 just after Bruno’s 21st birthday. Earning an income became paramount for the older boys, despite the effects of the Depression. Local papers like the ‘Murray Pioneer and Australian River Record’ reported in October ’39 that “Now that the pea picking is finished and block work completed, unemployment is again prevalent in the district. In the next few days, however, many local men will be employed by Messrs. A. and B. Hombsch wood cutting for some weeks.” The severity was evident in another report that “Unemployment is still prevailing in the district, many men having to seek work further afield. Messrs. Albert and N. Matthews have gone to the South East and Yankalilla districts shearing. Mr. Bruno Hombsch has taken a party of men across the river stump splitting. He is carting the stumps to Adelaide.” Hard physical work, with not a huge reward for the effort, but this created some income.
Bruno was already a member of the Milita and work conditions continued to be tight. He enlisted a month before his 26th birthday on December 1st, 1939 became SX1532 and one of the first Cobdogla young men to enlist in the A.I.F. The community immediately organised a farewell evening to Bruno and Harold Schell. Because of the effects of the Depression, the evening was the first social evening held in the district for many a long day, making it a huge, well attended success. Guests speakers spoke highly of the honoured guests and said they would be missed from the district in many respects, chiefly from the field of sport. They were wished good luck and their life in the second A.I.F. would be eagerly watched. In recognition of them volunteering, presentations of wristlet watches and sums of money were made and the women presented cigarettes, socks and handkerchiefs. (That evening was such a success that one man over-imbibed and collapsed unseen in the car park, unfortunately being killed as several cars backed over him. A sad ending to such a momentous farewell.)
Because of his advanced ability with motors, Bruno was assigned to the 2MD at Puckapunyal where he undertook 6 weeks of training in the Technical school in January 1940. His younger brother, Ronald, also enlisted but with the R.A.A.F. Their young sister, Lorna celebrated her 21st birthday in February 1940 in the Soldier’s Memorial Hall at Cobdogla. Bruno was granted leave from Melbourne to attend, arrived in time for the party that evening. Brother Ron gave a speech on behalf of Lorna.
Training was continuous for the Riverland men but leave was granted to the soldiers of the Second A.I.F. in March. Their movements were not broadcast to the general public but when their train reached the Upper Murray districts the men received a hearty welcome from relatives and a number of friends as they left the train at Barmera. To observers, the 21 young men looked particularly fit and well. Locals gathered at the Cobdogla Soldiers’ Memorial Hall to farewell the four men from their district, Bruno, Ken Warrick, Harry Schell and Henry Burfitt prior to them going overseas. The Soldiers' Comforts Fund Committee and Red Cross Circle presented each of the men with a gift, Cobdogla being particularly proud to be the first of the River towns to distribute soldiers’ comforts. Bruno responded in a cheery speech before the usual dancing, supper and singing of the traditional ‘Auld Lang Syne’. To enable the young men to spend an extra day with their families, rather than travelling by train, two of the local parents, including Bruno’s uncle gained permission from the Transport Control Board to carry the new enlistees by ‘motor conveniences’ in time to arrive in Adelaide to participate in the big march of troops. A large crowd of citizens assembled to farewell the men, reported the ‘Murray Pioneer and Australian River Record’ in another show of support for their own. It was splendid to see how the populace welcomed those soon to leave for overseas.
Bruno’s transition to the army, having been in control of his own daily work, encountered a few transgressions. He blotted his copybook with a driving a military vehicle at excessive speed charge which cost him a hefty fine. Moving to Melbourne, he again was caught being AWOL and received another fine. A costly learning experience. Because of his background with heavy transport, Bruno was graded as a Group I Fitter in July ’40 and was soon on his way to the Middle East in January 41 where he soon relinquished his Fitting to become a Grade II Mechanic MT and an appointment as a L/Col in March 41.
However, Bruno’s leadership skills were evident as by June of 1942 while in the Middle East, Bruno was promoted to Sergeant. It was not until March ‘43 that he returned to Australia via Sydney. Typically, Cobdogla organised a welcome home social and dance for their nine members of the 9th Division AIF held in the Cobdogla Hall. The guests were welcomed in brief speeches and Bruno spoke in glowing terms of the good work accomplished by the various patriotic organization throughout the Middle East. He particularly mentioned the Red Cross which did a splendid job for the sick and wounded and also the Salvation Army, Comforts Fund and YMCA as whenever the soldiers went in the forward lines or lean areas, those organisations did their best to help the troops. In a perceptive comment, Sgt. Hombsch also thanked the school children for their wonderful help through the SPF. He added that these particular organizations meant so much to the Digger at home or overseas and sincerely hoped that the help would continue. This plea must have also resonated with his niece, Heather. In November that year she held four functions, a junk auction sale, a continental, ball and cricket match raising a creditable £115 ($230.00) in just three weeks for the Red Cross Junior Competition, knowing her efforts would in some way help her two uncles, Bruno and Ron.
Following this leave, Bruno transferred to the 2/156 General Transport Company, briefly heading to Cairns before arriving in Milne Bay in August of ’43 to face the threat of the Japanese. Disturbingly, at the same time, the family received the uncertain news that Bruno’s younger brother, Ronald was missing during an air operation the night of July 25 – 26th but his fate was uncertain, or not confirmed at that stage.
Bruno’s brother-in-law, Lewis, 28 and newly married, was fatally wounded, along with seven Others in New Guinea having survived as a Rat of Tobruk. John Glenn in ‘Tobruk to Tarakan’ described the conditions on the fateful 22nd November. “With parts of the road continually under observation from Sattelberg, the Japanese must have been aware of the amount of jeep traffic taking up supplies to forward troops. Whether they were firing at random will never be known, but, nevertheless, one shell made a direct hit on a tree above battalion headquarters spraying the whole area with shell fragments and inflicting a number of casualties.” Bruno organised a tribute to Lewis in the Advertiser Saturday 11 December 1943:
SEMMENS. — In loving memory or our dear brother-in-law Lewis, died of wounds. N.G. November 22. Thoughts drift back to bygone days; time rolls on but memories stay. —Ever remembered by Fred and Bruno Hombsch (AIF). Similarly, he also placed one in the Murray Pioneer Thursday 23 December 1943, SEMMENS—In loving memory of dear Lewis (AIF), died of wounds, New Guinea, Nov. 22nd. His loving ways and smiling face, no one else can take his place. —Ever remembered by his brother-in-law Sgt. Bruno Hombsch (A.I.F.) N.G.
The uncertainty of also not knowing what had happened to his brother, Ronald, in the RAAF, caught in an air encounter played heavily on the family and Bruno. Without definite news there was hope that Ron had survived but possibly was injured, or had been taken as a POW. Almost nine months later, the worst had to then be acknowledged, despite his body not being found. A sad announcement was published by Bruno’s mother and the siblings in The Advertiser:
‘HOMBSCH, Flight-Sergeant Ronald Victor. —On July 26, 1943, now presumed killed, air operations, Middle East. A silent thought brings many a tear of the son I miss and loved so dear. —Ever remembered by his loving mother. HOMBSCH. —In fond memory of our loving brother Ron (R.A.A.F.) presumed killed, air operations in Middle East, on July 26, 1943. His duty nobly done. —Always remembered by Lorna, Fred, and Bruno (A.1.F.).
Bruno continued to update his skills to a grade III in January ’44 and another promotion as S/Sergeant. However tropical illness caused him to be briefly hospitalised and return to Australia via Brisbane where he was docked loss of pay for being AWOL. This also coincided with the news of Ron’s probable death. Bruno briefly returned to Cobdogla with others from the district who had served in New Guinea with him. The Barmera District held a huge welcome home to the ‘boys' back into civil life and to honour them for the great sacrifices they had made. Poignant wishes were made that the troops would never again be called upon to fight in the defence of Australia. Most of the returned men had seen 3-4 years in Africa and New Guinea, and unfortunately ‘some were returning to us in the same physical fitness as they left.’ The Murray Pioneer reported that the RSL president observed ‘the old Digger of World War I had watched most of the men grow up from "little tackers" and that they had grown up under a soldierly instinct. Many had not waited the call to Arms, but had gone at the first. Many were "Tobruk Rats" and "New Guinea Mice" and they had lived up to the traditions of the best fighting men in the world.’ Mr. Malone assured the men that conditions would be much improved on those following the last war, and that they would not have to suffer the difficulties of the Old Digger.
The RSL vice president had been a member of the farewell Committee and this made it a greater pleasure in welcoming the men home. Patriotically he added that their sacrifices would not be forgotten and the community looked forward to welcoming home all the surviving men. To honour those young men who had enlisted, an Honour Roll was initiated with the aim to assist the men post war. Pressing need was for homes, but ironically no provision was made to help the troops ahead of civilians. Now a Sergeant, Bruno was still on leave and serving but received positive news that certain New Guinea men were entitled to extra leave. This would be a bonus for those soldiers.
Bruno experienced yet another transfer to the 2/14 Australian Transport in June ’44, travelling back to British North Borneo via Morotai in July ’45. Finally, with the war successfully over, he returned to SA in November that year, finally discharged. Bruno continued to be active in Cobdogla, being part of the committee raising funds for the upgrade of the Cobdogla Memorial Oval and working on grassing the area as a permanent water supply has been provided, trees and shrubs planted, the tennis courts put in order, and the cycling track renovated.
By Easter the following year, Bruno became engaged to Frieda Maywald of Nuriootpa in a double engagement with her brother, Charles also announcing his engagement to Doris Patching. However, this was not to last with Frieda then become engaged to Harrold Reynolds of Plympton in November ‘47 and married in December at Nuriootpa.
In May of ‘47 a Memorial Garden and Playground were ceremoniously opened, having been two years in the planning. An honour roll bearing the names of old scholars of World War II who made the supreme sacrifice was also unveiled. Two young girls, Heather and Carol Hombsch, whose two uncles names were on the tablets, (Lewis Semmens and Ronald Hombsch) placed a wreath on behalf of the school in a touching ceremony.
Bruno met Violet Evelyn Schwartzkopff. She was the widow of Andrew Alfred Sealey of Mt Gambier, who died in January, 1945 aged 32, leaving Violet and their son, Garnet. Bruno and Violet married but soon after, Violet’s 71-year-old mother, Emma Elisa Amalie Schwartzkopff died in February of 1951 at Collinswood. At some stage Bruno and Violet’s relationship ended. (Violet resumed her maiden name and lived to be 88, becoming a grandmother to the three children of Garnet and Marion. She was buried in the Mount Gambier Gardens in 1999, near her first husband.)
In a strange coincidence, post war in April 1953 a former German soldier, Gunther Hermann sent a photo he had found in the Western Desert near Tobruk, to a Melbourne newspaper. It was of Bruno and Bill McKendry members of the 9th Division Recovery Unit. How it came to be there or who took the image, remained a mystery.
Bruno’s mother was widowed for 30 years, and died aged 86 on the 4th December 1964. Aged 67, Bruno died on the 9th July 1981. A memorial plaque in his memory is at the Upper Murray Garden of Memory Cemetery Barmera.
Each year, during the war the family had posted a Memorial to Ronald.
Advertiser Saturday 11 March 1944, HOMBSCH, Flight-Sergeant Ronald Victor. —On July 26, 1943, now presumed killed, air operations. Middle East. A silent thought brings many a tear of the son I miss and loved so dear. —Ever remembered by his loving mother. HOMBSCH. —In fond memory of our loving brother Ron (R.A.A.F.) presumed killed, air operations in Middle East, on July 26, 1943. His duty nobly done. —Always remembered by Lorna Fred, and Bruno (A.1.F.).
Advertiser Wednesday 26 July 1944, HOMBSCH. —Loving memory dear brother Ron, killed air operations, Middle East, July 26. 1943. To have you with us In the same old way. would be our dearest wish today. —Ever remembered by brothers and sister Lorna.
Advertiser Thursday 26 July 1945, HOMBSCH. F-Sgt.. R. V.— ln loving memory of our dear son and brother Ron presumed killed air operations M.E. on July 26. 1943. A little token, true and tender, to show, dear Ron we still remember. —Ever remembered by his loving mother, sister and brothers.
Murray Pioneer Thursday 25 July 1946, HOMBSCH. F/Sgt. Ronald Victor. —In loving memory of our dear son and brother, Ron, who lost his life on July 26, 1943. We have missed you dear Ron, No one will ever know, We miss the sound of your much loved voice, And the sound of your footsteps near. Our hearts are ever longing For the one we loved so dear. —Always lovingly remembered by his mother, sister, and brothers.
HOMBSCH, Flt.-Sgt. R. V. In loving memory of our dear Ron, who lost his life in air operations on the 26th July, 1943, in the Middle East. We often look at your photo and just can't believe it true. There are tears shed in silence as we think of you. We hoped for your safe return But God postponed that meeting to a better land. -Ever remembered by his loving Mother, Sister and Brothers.
Murray Pioneer Thursday 25 July 1946, HOMBSCH. F/Sgt. Ronald Victor. —In loving memory of our dear son and brother, Ron, who lost his life on July 26, 1943. We have missed you dear Ron, No one will ever know, We miss the sound of your much loved voice. And the sound of your footsteps near. Our hearts are ever longing for the one we loved so dear. —Always lovingly remembered by his mother, sister, end brothers.
Advertiser Saturday 26 July 1947, HOMBSCH. F/Sgt. Ronald. —ln loving memory of our dear son and brother Ron. Killed in air-operations on July 26. 1943 Treasured memories are all we have left of one we loved and will never forget. — Ever remembered by his mother, sister and brothers.

Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133 2/48th Battalion.