Ivan Milton Clarke
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 12 Aug 1909 |
| Place of Birth | Kelmscott, Western Australia |
| Death | 21 Nov 1986, aged 77 |
| Place of Death | Moorabbin, Victoria |
| Age at Enlistment | 31 years, 1 month |
| Description |
5' 5½" (1.66 m) tall ; 133lbs 60.328 kg ; fair complexion ; green eyes ; brown hair |
| Occupation | Dental mechanic |
| Religion | Presbyterian |
| Address | Narrogin, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Wife , Mrs Lucy Clarke |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 17835 |
| Date of Enlistment | 30 Sep 1940 |
| Rank | Flight Sergeant |
| Unit/Formation | No. 1 School of Technical Training RAAF |
| Post War Details | |
| Medals |
1939-45 Star Pacific Star War Medal 1939-45 Australian Service Medal 1939-45 |
Pre War
From 1924 until 1935 Ivan had worked for Mr AC Miller, and then from 1935 to 1940 for Mr LL Dyson. During 1934 Ivan had married Lucy Ellen Dick (1909 - 2006). They had 2 children, the oldest being Russell Ian Clarke (12 Oct 1936-1986). Electoral Roll entries: 1936 at Forrest street, Narrogin, dental mechanic;
War Service
On enlistment Ivan undertook the normal basic entry training at No. 4 Recruit Depot RAAF at Pearce. On completing the training he was posted to the No. 1 RAAF Hospital at Laverton from 24 Nov 1940. By 26 Mar 1941 he was back at Pearce, this time on staff, and he was promoted Leading Aircraftman on 1 Jun 1941 before being detached to the No. 9 Elementary Flight Training School at Cunderdin from 4 - 17 Jun 1941. He was next detached from 20 Jun to 11 Nov 1941 to No. 1 Hospital Laverton during which time he was an Acing Sergeant from 7 Jul 1941, and promoted Temporary Corporal from 1 Nov 1941 (Ivan reverted when next posted on 23 Apr 1942). From 25 Feb to 5 Mar 1943 Ivan was detached to the HQ at Laverton Airbase. Ivan was transferred to the No. 2 RAAF Hospital at Ascot Vale on 23 Apr 1942 where he was promoted Temporary Sergeant from 1 May 1942.
On 28 Jul 1942 he was posted to No. 1 Recruit Depot , then located at Shepparton. Ivan remained there for almost a year before being reposted to the General Reconnaissance School, at Bradfield Park on 19 Jul 1943. From 20 - 30 Jan 1943 he was held on the strength of the No. 2 Embarkation Depot at Bradfield Park before moving north to No. 1 Reserve Personnel Pool at Townsville on 31 Jan 1944, and then to Port Moresby's No. 9 Operation Group RAAF on 9 Feb 1944. From there he was sent to Nadzab from 14 Feb until 8 Jun 1944. On 20 Jul 1944 he was posted to No. 10 Operation Group RAAF which a fortnight earlier had established itself on Moenfoor, an island off the north coast of Dutch New Guinea. While there he was promoted Temporary Flight Sergeant from 1 Aug 1944. On 9 Dec 1944 he was moved to Morotai on 9 Dec 1944.
On 27 Feb 1945 he was posted to No. 1 Personnel Depot RAAF, then located in Victoria at Ransford (Melbourne Cricket Ground), remaining with them until 6 Apr 1945 when he was posted for the second time to the General Reconnaissance School at Bairnsdale. On 22 Aug 1945 he moved again, this time to the No. 1 School of Technical Training RAAF. His services now not required with units closing down as the war moving towards completion, he was posted to the No. 5 Personnel Depot RAAF in Subiiaco where he was discharged on 16 Nov 1945.
Post War
Electoral Roll entries: 1949 at 23 Union street, Malvern, Victoria; 1954 - 1980 at 4 Dactyl road, Moorabbin, Victoria;
In 1987 Legacy sought confirmation of his overseas service in order to assist Ivan's dependents.
Notes