Clarence Roy Champion

Clarence Roy Champion

2 Jun 1915 photo courtesy Bob Douglas
Personal Information
Date of Birth	1 Aug 1892
Place of Birth	Ballarat, Victoria
Death	11 Jan 1945
Place of Death	Armadale, Western Australia
Age at Enlistment	23 years old
Description	5'6½" (1.69m) tall ; 135lbs 61.235 kg ; dark complexion ; brown eyes ; black hair
Occupation	Orchardist
Religion	Methodist
Address	Bedfordale, Western Australia
Next of Kin	Wife , Mrs. Hope Champion
Military Information
Reg Number	1753
Date of Enlistment	6 Aug 1915
Rank	Driver
Unit/Formation	10th Light Horse Regiment, 11th Reinforcement, transfers to ANZAC Mounted Divisional Train (34th Coy AASC)
Date of Embarkation	1 Nov 1915 ‒ ? Nov 1915
Ship Embarked On	HMAT A24 Benalla Fremantle to Egypt
Date of Return	15 Jun 1919 ‒ 16 Jul 1919
Ship Returned On	SS Essex Egypt to Fremantle
Fate	Returned to Australia
Monument	Armadale War Memorial (Bedfordale panel) Bedfordale Roll of Honour Armadale and Districts Roll of Honour
Medals	1914-15 Star British War Medal Victory Medal

Pre War

Married Hope Olive Ray in July 1915 before going overseas.

War Service

On entering Northam camp Clarence was initially allocated to the 22nd Depot Company, but this soon changed to the 3rd Depot Squadron. Other than that, his records tell us little about the period between his enlistment in Aug 1915 and 26 Feb 1916 when he left Heliopolis in Egypt for Serapeum.

On 16 Jun 1916 at Serapeum he was disciplined for insolence to an NCO with 7 days Field Punishment No. 2. (see notes below). Clarence reported ill on 4 Sep 1916 to the 26th Casualty Clearing Station, on 9 Sep 1916 he entered the 31st General Hospital at Port Said in Egypt for treatment for influenza, being released five days later to return to his unit.

New Year's Day 1917 was spent being cared for by the 3rd Light Horse Field Ambulance at El Arish, and on 6 Jan 1917 he was noted as being on duty with the dismounted HQ of the 10th Light Horse Regiment at Massaid. On 18 Jul 1917 he was again hospitalised, this time with general debility in first Marakeb and then Bena Sela. before being sent to the Australian Service Corps Training Depot at Moascar on 3 Aug 1917 where he was appointed Driver.

On 4 Aug 1917 he was again in trouble being charged with failing to salute an officer. Interestingly the charge was dismissed. On 31 Aug 1917 Clarence was taken on strength by the 34th Company AASC, but in the interim was again in need of medical attention.

In late August 1918 he spent time in hospital in Jerusalem with dysentery. After passing through the hands of the 66th Casualty Clearing Station; the 76th Casualty Clearing Station; the 24th Stationary Hospital; and the Port Said annex of 14th Australian General Hospital (30 Aug - 28 Sep 1918), he reached a rest camp in late September where he remained for a fortnight before he went AWOL from midnight 18 Aug 1918 until 7:00am on 19 Aug 1918. His penalty was the forfeiture of 4 day's pay.

Between 10 Oct and 16 Nov 1918 he spent time in a rest camp, rejoining his unit before being ill again from 9 to 17 Apr 1919 which he spent in the 44th Stationary Hospital in Kantara before returning to Australia aboard the SS Essex.

Clarence was discharged by the 5th Military District on 9 Sep 1919.

Post War

On return from the war, Clarence & Hope initially return to the orchard (1921 &25 electoral rolls). However, by 1931 as a labourer he has moved to live on the Bunbury road (South West Highway) Armadale, where he remained until his death. Hope remained in Armadale until her death on 7 Dec 1987 when she was 92 years old. Son Kenneth Roy born 4 Mar 1916 at Jarrahdale.

Notes

Field punishment could be awarded by a court martial or a commanding officer for any offence committed on active service. There were two categories of field punishment. Field punishment No. 2 consisted of heavy labouring duties, and several hours a day shackled . All offenders awarded field punishment would march with their unit, carry their arms and accoutrements, perform all their military duties as well as extra fatigue duties, and be treated as defaulters.

"Enlisted 6 Aug 1915 and sailed with the 11th reinforcements of the 10th Light Horse - currently in Egypt."