Cecil James Clark
From Our Contribution
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| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | c1892 |
| Place of Birth | York, Western Australia |
| Death | 27 Feb 1969 |
| Place of Death | Belmont, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 24 years, 4 months |
| Description |
5'7" (1.70m) tall ; 141 lbs 63.956 kg ; medium complexion ; brown eyes ; brown hair |
| Occupation | Farm hand |
| Religion | Methodist |
| Address | East Cannington, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Sister , Mrs Ethel Cross |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 6805 |
| Date of Enlistment | 21 Oct 1916 |
| Rank | Sapper |
| Unit/Formation | Tunnelling Companies - Reinforcements transferred to 2nd Tunnelling Company |
| Date of Embarkation | 17 Jan 1917 ‒ 27 Mar 1917 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A5 Omrah |
| Date of Return | 23 Jul 1919 ‒ 27 Sep 1919 |
| Ship Returned On | SS Main |
| Fate |
Wounded in action - gassed 21 Mar 1918 Returned to Australia |
| Monument | Gosnells Road Board Honour Roll |
| Medals |
British War Medal Victory Medal |
Pre War
Cecil first enlisted on 24 Jul 1916 and was sent for initial training. However, he was admitted, first to the Blackboy Hill Camp Hospital from 21 August, and then transferred to the 8th Australian General Hospital from 29th August until 11th September 1916, and on 22 Sep 1916 he was discharged as Permanently Unfit for Service.
War Service
When Cecil enlisted a second time, some 28 days later, the preliminary medical examination reported that he was Class 3 - Doubtful as a result of Neurasthenia (pain in back and sides) and a bad back. (He reported that a tree had fallen on him a year earlier.) He entered Blackboy Hill camp on 24 Oct 1916, and on 16 Nov 1916 was perhaps surprisingly identified for tunneling reinforcements, and sent to Seymour in Victoria for specialist training. He sailed for England from Melbourne on 17 Jan 1917 aboard HMAT A5 Omrah, arriving at Devonport and disembarking on 27 Mar 1917.
On arrival in England, Cecil spent three weeks in depot at Perham Downs before proceeding overseas to France through Folkestone on 14 Apr 1917 where he was initially posted to the 1st Anzac Entrenching Battalion. On 17 May 1917 Cecil was attached to the 2nd Tunneling Company, and formally taken on strength on 4 Aug 1917. He had a spell in hospital from 8 - 16 Sep 1917 with a bout of influenza. On 19 Jan 1918 Cecil was granted a furlough to England, rejoining his unit on 14 Feb 1918. Cecil was wounded in action with gas on 21 Mar 1918 (described as severe). Seen by the 58th Field Ambulance, and transferred to the 24th General Hospital in Étaples on 21 Mar 1918.
On 31 Mar 1918 Cecil was evacuated to England aboard HS Jan Breydel, where on arrival he was placed in the Woking Military Hospital, Surrey on 1 Apr 1918. On 24 Apr 1918 he was released to the 1st Australian Auxiliary Hospital in Harefield. He remained with them until he was released to No.3 Command Depot at Hurdcott on 18 Jun 1918. Two days later he had a bout of influenza and was placed in the Brigade Hospital. On 17 Oct 1918 he was well enough to be sent to the Overseas Training Brigade at Longbridge Deverill and on 22 Nov 1918 he re-entered France via Southampton, but it was not until 6 Dec 1918 that he rejoined his unit, remaining with them until he was sent back to England on 16 May 1919 to return to Australia where he was discharged by the 5th Military District on 6 Dec 1919.
Post War
During 1923 Cecil married May McCall in Perth. During 1924 a son, James Archibald was born at Kellerberrin. James served as a Driver in the 124th General Transport Company during ww2.
Electoral Roll entries: 1921 - 1925 c/- P Cross William street, East Cannington; 1943 at 17 Salisbury street, Maylands, no occupation; 1954 at 2 Wilkins street, Bellevue, no occupation; 1958 - 1968 with May at 15 Stanley street, Belmont, labourer.
Notes
Had previous enlistment from 18 Jul 1916 until 22 Sep 1916 when he was discharged as permanently unfit. 8th Australian General Hospital assessed him on 29 Aug 1916 and found that he had had a painful back for some time, especially lying down. Feels fine when moving around. Released him on 11 Sep 1916.
A month later he was accepted as fit, although the preliminary medical on 10 Oct 1916 indicated he was doubtful due to a weak back.