Charles Percival Clarke – 5315

3811107 — Portrait of Private Charles Percival Clarke in 1916. Source: https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C1225232

Charles Percival Clarke was born in Prahran, Victoria in 1884 and eventually became an accountant before enlisting in the A.I.F. in February 1916. He departed Melbourne in August 1916 and joined the Western Front in December 1916. Private Clarke fought in Passchendaele and on the 4th of October 1917 was assumed missing in action, however soon after he was confirmed to have been killed in action. He has no known grave and is memorialised on the Menin Gate Memorial.

Details

Birth and family: Charles Percival Clarke was born in 1884 in Prahran, Victoria to Charles Edward Clarke and Jessie Houghton (1854-1930). He had one brother Albert Edward Clarke who was a chemist. His parents later relocated to Weybridge Street, Surrey Hills during the war.

Religion and Occupation: Church of England Accountant

Enlistment: Charles enlisted at the age of 31 on the 16th of February 1916 in Melbourne, Victoria.

Embarkation: Private Clarke departed Melbourne on the 1st of August 1916 and arrived in Plymouth, England on the 25th of September 1916 on board the Miltiades.

Service Details:

Private 13/3/16 – 26/5/16 D Company, 23rd Battalion, 6th Brigade, 2nd Division, A.I.F.
- Based in Royal Park, Victoria.
Private 26/5/16 – 12/6/16 Transferred to C Company, 24th Battalion, 6th Brigade, 2nd Division, A.I.F.
- Based in Royal Park, Victoria.
Private 12/6/16 – 30/6/16 Transferred to D Company, 24th Battalion, 6th Brigade, 2nd Division, A.I.F.
- Based in Royal Park, Victoria.
Private 30/6/16 – 21/12/16 Transferred to 14th Reinforcements, 24th Battalion, 6th Brigade, 2nd Division, A.I.F.
- He departed Melbourne in August 1916 and arrived in Plymouth in September 1916.
- He departed England on the 19th of November 1916 and arrived in France on the 20th of November.
Private 21/12/16 – After arriving in France he transferred to D Company, 24th Battalion, 6th Brigade, 2nd Division, A.I.F.
- 23/12/16 – 1/1/17 Admitted to hospital with influenza
- 10/2/17 – Admitted to hospital with ulcers on toe
4/10/17 – Private Clarke went missing in action. He was later confirmed to have been killed in action at Zonnebeke, Belgium during the Battle of Passchendaele.

Grave: Private Clarke has no known grave. He is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial in Belgium.

Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal

Sources:

https://discoveringanzacs.naa.gov.au/browse/records/273141/1

https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R1480893

https://www.howesfamilies.com/getperson.php?personID=I18459&tree=Onename#cite1

https://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/1598291/clarke,-charles-percival/

Private Henry ‘Harry’ Bell – 191

A studio portrait of Private Henry Bell taken in August 1915 at Broadmeadows army camp. Source: AWM.

Henry Bell was born in 1876 in Bendigo, Victoria to Henry and Jane Bell. He enlisted in the A.I.F. in July 1915 and embarked from Melbourne in November 1915. He was allocated as a Private to A Company, 29th Battalion, 8th Brigade. Private Bell participated in the Battle of Fromelles on the 19th July 1916 and was recorded as missing in action. In March 1917, his identity discs were returned from Germany and he was deemed killed in action in July 1916. Private Bell originally had no known grave but was one of the soldiers found buried at Pheasant Wood in 2009. In 2010 he was reburied in the Fromelles Military Cemetery.

Details

Birth and childhood: Henry Bell was born in 1876 in Bendigo, Victoria to Henry and Jane Bell. Henry attended Corporate High School in Bendigo.

Religion and Occupation: Anglican Insurance Agent

Family: Henry Bell was married to Dorothy Isabel Mills Bell. He was one of 12 children including a brother John J. Bell who lived near Bendigo and was head teacher at a local school.

Enlistment: Henry enlisted in the A.I.F. on the 8th of July 1915 at Eaglehawk, Victoria.

Embarkation: Private Bell embarked from Melbourne on the 10th of November 1915 on board the H.M.A.T. Ascanius bound for Suez where he arrived on the 7th of December 1915.

Service Details:

Private 8/7/15 – 19/7/16 A Company, 29th Battalion, 8th Brigade, A.I.F.
16/6/16 – Departed Alexandria to travel to Western Front. He arrived in Marseille on the 23rd of June 1916 on board the Tunisian.
During the Battle of Fromelles on the 19th and 20th of July 1916 Private Bell went missing in action.
In March 1917 Private Bell’s identification disc was received from Germany. He was killed in action on the 19th of July 1916.

Memorial: Private Bell originally had no known grave but was one of the soldiers found buried at Pheasant Wood in 2009. In 2010 he was reburied in the Fromelles Military Cemetery. He is also remembered on VC Corner Australian Cemetery and Memorial, Fromelles, Lille, Nord Pas de Calais, France.

Medals:

British War Medal, Victory Medal and 1914/15 Star.

Sources:

https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C991684

https://www.aif.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=19086

https://discoveringanzacs.naa.gov.au/browse/person/62744

Click to access abt.pdf

https://www.army.gov.au/our-work/unrecovered-war-casualties/world-war-one/fromelles/remains-of-nine-world-war-1-diggers

Corporal Thomas Gordon – 3716

Thomas Gordon was born in Southport, England in 1890 and lived there until he moved to Australia in 1914. He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in October 1915 and after initial training embarked from Sydney on the 20th of December 1915 as part of the 8th Reinforcements for the 20th Battalion. In March 1916, Thomas was made a gunner and transferred to the 2nd Divisional Ammunition Column. After approximately a month he was transferred to the 25th Howitzer Brigade then the following month in May 1916 he was promoted to Corporal. In July, Corporal Gordon was transferred to 115th Battery and in April 1917 he was again transferred to the 106th Battery. In August 1918, Corporal Gordon was admitted to hospital with Trench Fever and was transferred to Graylingwell Military Hospital in England in September 1918. After 2 weeks he was transferred to the 3rd Auxiliary hospital, Dartford before being discharged. Corporal Gordon then remained in England and completed various training exercises as well as marrying Lucie Frances Kilby in May 1918. In June, he returned to his unit in France. On the 17th of August 1918 Corporal Thomas Gordon was killed in action. It was believed he died instantly when his dugout was hit by a shell. Originally he was buried at Ridgeway British Cemetery. However, after the Armistice Corporal Gordon was reburied in Heath Cemetery, Harbonnieres. His grave reference is: Plot V. Row A. Number 11.

Details

Birth: Thomas Gordon was born in Southport, England in 1890 to Mary Ann Langridge. Thomas Gordon moved to Australia when he was 24 and embarked for the war at 25.

Religion and Occupation: Roman Catholic Fireman

Wife: Thomas Gordon married Lucie Frances Kilby on the 20th of May 1918 in Chichester, UK.

Enlistment: He enlisted in the A.I.F. on the 26th of October 1915 in Holsworthy, NSW.

Embarkation: Private Gordon embarked from Sydney, NSW on the 20th of December 1915 on board the HMAT A60, Aeneas.

Service Details:

Private 7/12/15 – 16/3/16 8th Reinforcements, 20th Battalion, 5th Brigade, A.I.F.
17/2/16 – Admitted to 1st Australian General Hospital, Heliopolis with pneumonia
- Discharged on 22/2/16
Gunner 17/3/16 – 15/4/16 2nd Divisional Ammunition Column, 2nd Division, A.I.F.
Gunner 15/4/16 – 19/5/16 Transferred to 25th Field Artillery Howitzer Brigade, 5th Division, A.I.F.
Promoted Corporal 19/5/16 – 6/7/16 25th Field Artillery Howitzer Brigade, 5th Division, A.I.F.
- Departed Alexandria 19/6/16
- Arrived Marseille 25/6/16
Corporal 7/7/16 – 3/4/17 Transferred to 115th Battery, 25th Field Artillery Brigade, 5th Division, A.I.F.
Corporal 3/4/17 – 17/8/18 Transferred to 106th Battery, 6th Field Artillery Brigade, 2nd Division, A.I.F.
15/5/17 Admitted to Military Hospital, Southport while on leave in UK with abscesses
- Discharged 29/6/17
17/8/17 Admitted to hospital with Trench Fever
- 6/9/17 Embarked for England with Trench Fever and admitted to Graylingwell War Hospital, previously a civilian psychiatric hospital.
- 17/9/17 Transferred to 3rd Auxiliary Hospital, Dartford
Offence: Absent Without Leave 5/10/17 – 6/10/17
- Admonished by Major Campbell and forfeit 2 days pay
2/11/17 – 4/6/18 Joined various training assignments
4/6/18 Travelled from UK to France to join unit
- Rejoined on the 12/6/18
Killed in Action 17/8/18 – Believed to have been killed instantly after a 4.2 Shell exploded in a dugout he was occupying.
- Originally Buried at Ridgeway British Cemetery

After the Armistice, Corporal Gordon was reburied in Heath Cemetery, Harbonnieres. His grave reference is: Plot V. Row A. Number 11.

Medals:

1914/15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal

Sources:

http://discoveringanzacs.naa.gov.au/browse/records/260143

http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/559490/

https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R1980083

https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R2343165

https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R1729815

Lieutenant Charles William Scott – 5198

Group Charles William Scott.jpg — Outdoor group portrait of the officers of the 58th Battalion in the snow at Courset, France in December 1917. Lieutenant Scott is fourth from the right in the front row of this photo. Source: Australian War Memorial

Charles William Scott enlisted in the A.I.F. in Melbourne in January 1916 and embarked for the front in April 1916. Initially a Private assigned to the 58th Battalion, Charles Scott was promoted through the ranks to the position of Lieutenant in August 1917 and was eventually attached to the Royal Flying Corps where he began to train as a pilot. On the 28th of August 1918 Lieutenant Scott was involved in a training accident and died from a skull fracture.

Details:

Birth: Charles was born in Malvern, Victoria in 1894 to Agnes Augusta and John McAdam Scott.

Religion and Employment: Anglican Clerk

Military Experience: 1 year Senior Cadets, 4 years Militia in Essendon

Enlistment: Charles enlisted on the 8th of January 1916 in Melbourne, Victoria.

Embarkation: Private Scott embarked from Melbourne on the 1st of April 1916 on board the HMAT Suffolk A23.

Service Details:

Private 1/2/16 – 18/2/16 A Company, 23rd Battalion, Royal Park
Private 18/2/16 – 17/3/16 Transferred to A Company, 20th Depot Battalion, Castlemaine
Private 18/3/16 – 24/5/16 Transferred to 16th Reinforcements, 5th Battalion, 2nd Brigade, A.I.F. in Broadmeadows, Victoria.
- Embarked from Melbourne on 1/4/16 and arrived in Suez on the 11/5/16
Private 24/5/16 – 22/7/16 Transferred to 15th Training Battalion
- Embarked from Suez on 21/6/16 and arrived in Marseille on 30/6/16
Private 22/7/16 – 29/12/16 Transferred to 58th Battalion, 15th Brigade, A.I.F.
Promoted Lance Corporal 29/12/16 – 27/4/17 58th Battalion, 15th Brigade, A.I.F.
- Attended various locations for training
Promoted Second Lieutenant 27/4/17 – 7/9/17 58th Battalion, 15th Brigade, A.I.F.
- Embarked for France on 15/5/17 and rejoined unit
Promoted Lieutenant 7/9/17 – 12/8/18 58th Battalion, 15th Brigade, A.I.F.
- Attended signal school of instruction 3/1/18 – 20/2/18
Lieutenant 12/8/18 – Transferred to Australian Flying Corps, 5th Training Squadron
- Commenced training to be pilot 7/6/18 at School of Military Aeronautics in Reading

Death: Charles William Scott died from a skull fracture while a passenger on board an Avro 504 K plane during a training exercise on the 28th of August 1918 in Minchinhampton, UK. His plane was struck by another plane’s wing causing both to crash. The pilot of Lieutenant Scott’s plane, Roy Lytton Cummings, was also fatally wounded. He was buried on the 31st of August 1918 in Leighterton Cemetery.

Charles William Scott Grave.jpg — The original graves of three Australian Flying Corps (AFC) officers at Leighterton cemetery, England. The cross on the right commemorates Lieutenant Scott. Source: Australian War Memorial.

Medals: Victory Medal, British War Medal

Sources: https://discoveringanzacs.naa.gov.au/browse/records/15121

https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R2064371

https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R1663824

https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C1041295

Private Robert Woodall Barker – 814

136916 — Photograph of Private Barker from the Queenslander Pictorial – 16th September 1916 P 22.

Robert Woodall Barker was born in England in 1890 but enlisted in the A.I.F. in Brisbane, Qld on the 4th of January 1916. He was appointed as a Private to D Company of the 41st Battalion and arrived in France on the 24th of November 1916. After the war Robert gained a short work experience position on a property in England to improve his farming skills. While there he met and then married his employers daughter, Edith Jane Thompson in June 1919. He was discharged from the A.I.F. In early January 1920.

Details

Birth and Family: Robert Woodall Barker was born in Scarborough, England to Maria Woodall and Robert Barker in February 1890. He had one brother Sydney Thompson Barker who also enlisted (service number 809) and was in the 41st Battalion. He died from war related complications on the 5th of October 1919.

Religion and Occupation: Anglican Farmer

Enlistment: He enlisted in Brisbane, Qld on the 4th of January 1916 at the age of 25.

Embarkation: Private Barker left Sydney, NSW on the 17th of May 1916 on board Demosthenes and arrived at Plymouth on the 20th of July 1916.

Details:

Appointed Private 10/5/16 – 3/1/20 D Company, 41st Battalion, 11th Brigade, A.I.F.
He departed Southhampton, UK for France on the 24th of November 1916.
After the war, Robert went and gained experience in farming including gardening and dairying with Robert Henry Thomson, from late may until late August 1919 in Scarborough, England where he was born.
On the 20th of June 1919 Robert married Edith Jane Thomson who was the daughter of his employer during his work experience.
Returned from England on the Ascanius and arrived in Australia on the 11/11/19, one year exactly since the end of the war.
Discharged on the 3/1/1920.

Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal

However, Robert Woodall Barker returned to the UK to live in Scarborough with his wife and her family.

Sources:

https://discoveringanzacs.naa.gov.au/browse/records/56140

https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R1951584

https://www.aif.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=13514

Private Peter Michaelovitch Chirvin – 1932

Peter Chirvin was born in 1895 in Eastern Russia but moved to Brisbane in 1914. He enlisted in the A.I.F. in January 1915 before embarking in April 1915 as a Private with the 9th Battalion. He was wounded in action by a gunshot wound in September 1916 and then returned to action. In February 1919 Private Chirvin left Europe to return to Australia. While the ship was in Sydney Harbour for quarantine Private Chirvin committed suicide on the 16th of April 1919. This was reportedly due to harassment from other soldiers about his Russian nationality due to the Russian Revolution and consequent retaliation against socialists and foreigners in Australia.

Details

Birth: Peter Michaelovitch Chirvin was born on the 21st of December 1895 to Natalia Vasilevna and Michael Fedorovich Chirvin in Lugovoy, Sakhalin Island in Far Eastern Russia. His family lost a lot of possessions including offical documents during the Russian Revolution. In February 1916, he was transferred to the 49th Battalion

Pre-war life: Peter M Chirvin departed from Eastern Russia on board the St Albans via Moji, Japan arriving in Brisbane, Qld on the 16th of October, 1914.

Occupation: Media Reporter

Enlistment: He enlisted on the 28th of January, 1915 in Brisbane, Qld.

Embarkation: Private Chirvin embarked on the 14th of April 1915 from Brisbane, Qld on board H.M.A.T Kyarra.

Service Details:

Private 14/4/15 – 10/7/15 5th Reinforcements, 9th Battalion, 3rd Brigade, A.I.F.
Private 10/7/15 – 27/2/16 Transferred to 9th Battalion, 3rd Brigade, A.I.F.
Sick with Dysentery on 11/9/15 and admitted to No. 1 Hospital Cairo until 25/10/15
Private 27/2/16 – 16/4/19 Transferred to D Company, 49th Battalion, 13th Brigade, A.I.F.
Wounded in Action by Gun shot wound to left wrist on the 3rd of September 1916.
- Admitted to 3rd London General Hospital on 8th of September 1916.
Boarded HT Anchises to return to Australia on 28/2/1919.

Medals: Military Medal awarded on the 30th of October 1918. Also received a British War Medal, Victory Medal and 1914/15 Star.

Death: Peter Chirvin died from asphyxiation caused by hanging which was ruled a suicide due to being ‘temporarily deranged in mind” on board the HT Anchises in Sydney Harbour on the 16th of April 1919. In the enquiry into his suicide it was revealed that he was being heckled about his Russian nationality and being called a ‘bolshie’. He also expressed fear about his reception in Australia after the recent Red Flag riots in Brisbane between 1918-19 by returned servicemen against socialists and others considered to be potentially disloyal such as foreigners. He was buried at North Head Quarantine Cemetery in Sydney, NSW.

Sources:

https://discoveringanzacs.naa.gov.au/browse/records/148798

https://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2745484/

https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R1675751/

http://russiananzacs.net/Chirvin

John Percy Anstey

John Percy Anstey was born in 1892 in New South Wales and enlisted in the A.I.F. in August 1915. In March 1916 he married Florence before embarking for the Front in March 1916. At first he was assigned as a Private in the 2nd Battalion before being transferred to the 54th Battalion. On the 13th August 1916 Private Anstey was killed in action in France.

Details

Birth: John Percy Anstey was born in 1892 to John and Louisa Mary Jane Anstey in Maitland West, NSW.

Marriage: John was married to Florence (Florrie) Anstey in 1916.

Religion and Occupation: Congregationalist Ironmonger

Enlistment: He enlisted in Cootamundra, NSW on the 31st of August 1915

Embarkation: John P Anstey departed Sydney on the 8th of March 1916 on board the HMAT Star of England.

Service Details:

Private 31/8/15 – 19/4/16 B Company, 2nd Battalion, 1st Brigade, A.I.F.
Private 19/4/16 – 2/8/16 Transferred to 54th Battalion, 14th Brigade, A.I.F.
Embarked from Alexandria on board HT Caledonian on 19/6/16 and arrived in Marseilled France on 29/6/16.
Promoted Acting Sergeant 2/8/16 – 13/8/16 54th Battalion, 14th Brigade, A.I.F.
Killed in Action in France on 13/8/16

Death: Acting Sergeant John Percy Anstey was killed in action on the 13th of August 1916. He was buried on the same day in Wye Farm Military Cemetery in Row A, Grave 6.

Medals: Victory Medal, British War Medal

Sources:

https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R2050517

https://discoveringanzacs.naa.gov.au/browse/records/30155

Private Joseph Thomas Jones – 5659

Joseph Thomas Jones was born in NSW in 1896 and enlisted in Cootamundra in March 1916. In France he served as a Private with the 19th Battalion and was wounded by Gas in May 1918. After being discharged in April 1919, Private Jones joined the Russian Relief Force.

Details

Birth: Joseph Thomas Jones was born in Young, NSW on the 10th of April 1896 to his father Joseph Robert Jones and his mother Harriet Jones.

Religion and Occupation: Anglican Labourer

Enlistment: Joseph Jones enlisted in Cootamundra, NSW on the 13th of March 1916

Embarkation: Private Jones departed Sydney on the 9th September 1916 and arrived in Plymouth 26th of October 1916.

Service Details:

Private 13/3/16 – 16/4/16 A Company, 2nd Battalion, 1st Brigade, A.I.F.
Private 18/4/16 – 18/12/16 15th Reinforcements, 19th Battalion, 5th Brigade, A.I.F.
Embarked for service in France from England on 13/12/16
Private 18/12/16 – 11/10/18 19th Battalion, 5th Brigade, A.I.F.
Wounded in Action on 28/5/18 – Gassed
- Admitted to Reading War Hospital 3/6/18
Proceeded overseas to France on 29/9/18 to rejoin the unit on the 6/10/18
Private 11/10/18 – 5/4/18 18th Battalion, 5th Brigade, A.I.F.

Discharged: Private Jones was discharged on the 5th of April 1919 in London, UK.

After being discharged from the A.I.F. Joseph Thomas Jones joined the Russian Relief Force.

Medals: Victory Medal, British War Medal

Sources:

https://discoveringanzacs.naa.gov.au/browse/records/34425

https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R1821441

Private George High – 916

George High was born in London but enlisted in February 1915 in Liverpool NSW. He fought in Gallipoli with the 17th Battalion but was wounded in action in September 1915. He was returned to England after losing his sight. In March 1916 he was judged as medically unfit to serve due to his loss of vision and shell shock and was returned to Australia.

Details

Birth: George was born to Robert High in London, UK.

Religion and Occupation: Anglican Painter

Enlistment: George High enlisted on the 19th of February, 1915 in Liverpool NSW.

Embarkation: Private High embarked from Sydney on the 12th of May 1915 on board the Themistocles.

Service Record:

Private 14/4/15 – 21/3/16 C Company, 17th Battalion, 5th Brigade, A.I.F.
- Fought in Gallipoli and then transferred to hospital ship with diarrhoea and loss of sight on the 16/9/15
- Transferred to Military Hospital Tigne on the 21/9/15
- Departed for England on ship “More” on 13/11/15 and admitted to 3rd London General Hospital on the 20/11/15

Discharged: In England on the 21/3/16 as medically no longer fit for active service at home or abroad.

Lost sight in left eye and suffered from shell shock

Medals: Victory Medal, British War Medal, 1914/15 Medal

Sources:

https://discoveringanzacs.naa.gov.au/browse/records/180053

https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R1892492

Private William James Profitt – 2208

William James Profitt was born in 1895 in Melbourne and enlisted in July 1915. He was assigned as a Private in the 23rd Battalion and fought in France. In early August 1916 he was wounded in action and hospitalised until the 24th of August. On the 26th of August 1916 he was wounded in action for a second time and transferred to England. Private Profitt died on the 25th of October 1916 from his wounds.

Details

Birth: William James Profitt was born in 1895 to Mary Annie and Francis Profitt in Collingwood, Victoria.

Religion and Occupation: Methodist Salesman

Enlistment: He enlisted on the 5th of July 1915 in Melbourne, Victoria.

Embarkation: Private Profitt embarked from Melbourne on the 27th of September 1915 on board the H.M.A.T. Hororato.

Service Details:

Private 1/8/15 – 11/1/16 4th Reinforcements, 23rd Battalion, 6th Brigade, A.I.F.
Private 11/1/16 – 25/10/16 23rd Battalion, 6th Brigade, A.I.F.
Wounded in Action on 4/8/16 in France. Hospitalised until the 24/8/16.
Wounded in Action on 26/8/16 – G.S.W. to Elbow and Forearm
- Transferred to Cambridge Hospital, Aldershot in England on 2/9/16.
Died on 25/10/16 from wounds

Death: William J Profitt died on the 25th of October 1916 from wounds. He was buried in St Minver Churchyard in Cornwall, UK.

Medals: 1914/15 Star, Victory Medal, British War Medal

Sources:

https://discoveringanzacs.naa.gov.au/browse/records/280077

https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R1762470