Cecil James Clark

Cecil James Clark

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, 5 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	24 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

War Service

Entered camp on 24 Oct 1916, and on 16 Nov 1916 was identified for tunnelling reinforcements, and sent to Seymour in Victoria for specialist training. Sailed for England from Melbourne

On arrival in England, spent three weeks in depot at Perham Downs before proceeding overseas to France through Folkestone on 14 Apr 1917 and initially was posted to the 1st Anzac Entrenching Battalion. On 17 May 1917 Cecil was attached to the 2nd Tunnelling Company, and formally taken on strength on 4 Aug 1917. 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 14 Feb 1918. Cecil was wounded in action (gassed) 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 he 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 remain with them until he was released to No.3 Command Depot Hurdcott on 18 Jun 1918. Two days later he had a bout of influenza and was place din 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.

Discharged by the 5th Military District on 6 Dec 1919.

Post War

During 1923 Cecil married May McCall in Perth.

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.