Matters of Interest

Corey, Mr W.T.

The Hon. T.J. STEPHENS (15:41): I rise today to commemorate a South Australian hero. Vale William Thomas Corey OAM, aged 101. Sadly, on 10 October 2018 we lost one of the last rats of Tobruk. Mr Corey served in the Middle East, North Africa and the Pacific Islands. He was loved by many, including the veterans' community and his family, children Don and Dianne and his grandchildren Julia, Michael, Matthew, Keyte and Lee.

Mr Corey was born in Riverton and later worked as a butcher before enlisting in the army in 1940 at the age of just 22. Here he became an original member of the 2/43^rd Battalion. Notably, in August 1941 Mr Corey took part in the siege of Tobruk, a battle that was crucial as it provided a port that was used as a supply route. This was a vital component in continuing into Egypt and controlling the Suez Canal. The Australian War Memorial describes Tobruk as being 'all that stopped the Germans' march on Egypt'.

Allied soldiers who fought in Tobruk were fondly known as the Rats of Tobruk. During the war, a Nazi propaganda broadcaster and former British citizen, William Joyce, scoffed at the soldiers in Tobruk defending the garrison as being, 'caught like rats in a trap'. In true Aussie humour, as Mr Corey recalled fondly in his autobiography, these derogatory comments were worn as a badge of honour. To this day, the defenders of Tobruk are still recognised as the Rats of Tobruk.

The Tobruk garrison was surrounded by Italian and German forces for eight long, terrifying months. These men withstood the unimaginable: daily bombings, artillery barrages and tank attacks. They survived dust storms, chilling cold nights and the desert's agonising heat. These soldiers lived in dugouts, crevasses and caves. It was here that Mr Corey formed bonds with his fellow soldiers. In his autobiography Mr Corey spoke fondly of the bond he formed with his fellow soldiers, describing it as being that of a brotherhood. To use his own words:

Eventually [we] became like brothers and even to this day we have a special feeling for each other that can't be found in ordinary life, and I guess that would apply to anybody who faces many extraordinary dangers together.

It is incredible that in such tragedy and suffering these men were able to form such a long-lasting friendship of true Australian mateship and camaraderie.

I would like to share a story that Mr Corey spoke about in his autobiography. Whilst this is a sombre moment, is also an opportunity to celebrate the life of a great man, of many great men. I believe this excerpt from his autobiography captures Mr Corey's great ability to remember the good in every bad situation as well as the great Australian spirit and humour:

Towards the end of our stay most fellows became a little edgy thinking I've been here all this time, hope I make it out. Around this time, I was in the back of a truck with four or five other chaps and half a dozen empty 44-gallon drums (used for water). We were returning from the fig tree area on a pitch black night, turned on to the road, then immediately tipped over the edge. The drums went over, and so did we. Fortunately none of us were injured, but we had to walk about four or five miles back to our area. Fortunately, the Germans couldn't have been listening, because they had this position set with their guns, all they had to do was fire and they would have been spot on.

On the way in, some Polish troops called us to halt and they wanted to know the password, which none of us knew or remembered. Things weren't going too good until one of the lads started swearing, and one of the Poles said, 'Aussies, Aussies, okay'. Fancy an Australian being recognised by swearing!

I would like to take this moment to thank Mr Corey for his service to our great nation, not only as a soldier but for giving back to our community upon his return, in which he shared his life experiences with a number of school groups. I would like to acknowledge Mr Corey's sacrifice, bravery and strength. On behalf of the chamber and the people of South Australia, I would like express my deep condolences to Mr Corey's family. Mr Corey was a real life hero. Lest we forget.