FAMILY LIFE

Hector Russell Clark was born on 12th October 1899 in Pennant Hills, son of James (deceased) & Ann Jane (Parry) Clark. He was the eldest of 5 children. Most of the family lived & died in Murwillumbah and are buried in the Murwillumbah Cemetery.  His mother is listed on the Banner St Memorial, Murwillumbah which lists the 2348 pioneer settlers of the Tweed district

APPLIATION

Hector was single farmer, living in Midginbil, eager to do his bit. He travelled to Lismore on 15^th November 1917 to complete his application which showed his next of kin as his mother, Ann Jane, of Midginbil. His medical showed he was 18 years 1 month old, 5ft 5 ½ inches tall (1.66m), weighed 126 lbs (57 kgs), with a fair complexion, grey eyes & light brown hair. His eyesight was good & he was dentally fit. Hector was Church of England.

The Examining Medical Officer stated that Hector “can see the required distance with either eye; his heart and lungs are healthy; he has the free use of his joints; and he declares he is not subject to fits of any description. I consider him fit for active service.”  On the second page of the Attestation Paper, he made the following oath in the presence of the Attesting Officer: “I, Hector Russell Clark, swear that I will well and truly serve our Sovereign Lord the King in the Australian Imperial Force until the end of the War … SO HELP ME, GOD.” 

He was enlisted as a private into the 31^st Infantry Battalion – 15^th Reinforcements with service No 5247. His mother signed the consent form due to Hector’s age.

31^st INFANTRY BATTALION

The 31st was raised in August 1915 as part of the 8th Brigade & it joined the 5th Australian Division in Egypt before heading to the Western Front in France in 1916. The 31st Infantry Battalion's legacy is marked by its resilience, bravery, and dedication to its missions. Its history is preserved through memorials and historical records, ensuring its contributions are remembered and honoured

RIFLE RANGE CAMP, ENOGGERA CAMP

The 31st Battalion was raised as part of the 8th Brigade at Enoggera, on the outskirts of Brisbane, and the recruits all attended the training camp at Rifle Camp, Enoggera. The Barracks Block was built as accommodation for men in two dormitories, each 36 feet by 22 feet (10.97 x 6.7 metres). Beds or bunks were not provided, instead each man slept on a palliasse with ground sheet on the floor. For many it was their first time away from home. Men from every walk of life, from clerks and teachers to factory and shop workers, were crammed together.

Now training for the new recruits began. Firstly, the men received their vaccinations for smallpox, rabies & plague, then a recruit had to be inducted into military forms of discipline, command, and order. This was partially achieved through a program of basic training carried and, in a sense, was maintained for a long as a man was in the service. It involved marching and drilling with the rifle, cleaning and caring for personal equipment and being supervised and inspected in ways quite different to ordinary civilian life. For example, no boots should be allowed to get in a bad state of wear but must be sent to the bootmaker without delay for repair. Men who were found with hair long and unshaven had to have a haircut and shave

Secondly, after basic training there followed the far more serious exercise of turning a man into a fighting soldier at least partially prepared for the kind of warfare he was about to experience overseas. The topics and exercises in the syllabus of training were a world away from their former lives and included daily physical training, entrenching, wiring, firing rifle grenades, firing the Lewis light machine gun, dealing with gas attack, using hand grenades, using the bayonet, and the routines to be followed in the trenches.

This training was then put into practice during what were called ‘Field Days,’ when men would practice using the skills they had acquired in mock attacks both by day and by night. How well men had learnt to use their weapons, in cooperation with each other in training, would be tested in the harsh reality of the front line. Training would take several months.

The recruits were issued with their uniform: a khaki woollen jacket, heavy cord breeches and the famous slouch hat – turned up on the left and featuring a plain khaki band, chinstrap and “rising sun” badge. A soldier’s equipment also included a dixie (mess tin), water bottle, mug, .303 Lee-Enfield rifle and bayonet.

HOME LEAVE DECEMBER 1917

Whilst there, Hector was granted home leave between 7^th December to 12 December 1917.

VOYAGE OVERSEAS

The battalion sailed from Sydney on 2^nd March 1918 on the HMAT Ormonde. They thought it was the start of a new adventure- for many it was their first time so far away from home. However, after some time at sea the biggest problem turned out to be boredom. Attempts at breaking up the boredom, apart from the regular drill, varied. Shipboard activities included regular church parades and concerts. Troops engaged in lifebelt drill; a cookhouse on deck; soldiers on fatigues peeling potatoes 'spud bashing'; going to the dentist; barber, pay day; soldiers cleaning personal equipment; medical inspection. Sports and recreation included boxing, deck quoits, draughts. Also, the commanding officer's morning inspection; kit inspections; submarine drill; recreation such as the on deck 'open air' library, deck billiards, pillow fighting and card games including Nap. As well, conditions on the ships were cramped and the risk of illness was constant. Whilst on the ship Hector contacted chicken pox and was admitted to the ship’s hospital on 28^th March. Chickenpox is a very contagious infection caused by a virus, easily caught on the crowded conditions on the ship. It usually resolves without treatment. When the ship arrived at Port Said he was transferred to the Government Hospital but returned to the ship’s hospital when they left on 7^th April.

ENGLISH TRAINING CAMP

HOSPITALISATION WITH INFLUENZA

They disembarked at Southampton on 15^th May 1918 where they marched into the English training camp at Codford. On 25^th May he was admitted to King George Hospital with influenza, which he had contacted whilst on leave at the camp. This was a dangerous disease to have in an area with a lot of people who would continue to spread the infection. Many people died with this disease which could cause trouble breathing or shortness of breath, chest pain or pressure, seizures and/or severe weakness or muscle pain. There was no effective medical treatment for Influenza. The Army Nurse Corps was critical for soldier’s care. Symptom management by skilled supportive nursing care was the best predictor of positive patient outcomes and decreases in mortality rates. This care consisted of duties such as administering medications, monitoring vital signs, fever control, providing hydration, rest, dressing changes, open-air therapy, bed baths, clean bedding, feeding, back and chest rubs with camphorated sweet oil, and cleaning the ward.

HOSPITALISATION WITH MEASLES

On 30^th May he was admitted to the 3^rd New Zealand General Hospital with measles.  Measles is a very contagious viral illness, especially with so many men in the camp for such a long time. It is best known for its characteristic red blotchy rash. Measles can be very serious. The measles virus attacked the respiratory epithelium but the real risk was that the compromised pulmonary defences of the immunosuppressed soldier would succumb to a secondary infection when respiratory bacteria descended into the lungs to cause pneumonia, which it did with William.  There were no antibiotics in WWI so doctors focused on managing symptoms and preventing complications through measures like bed rest which was crucial to allow the body to conserve energy and fight the infection, oxygen therapy which helped patients breathe easier & managing complications by focusing on treating complications like secondary bacterial infections. He was discharged on 10^th July 1918.

APPOINTED LANCE CORPORAL

Once training had been completed, he was appointed Lance Corporal on 3^rd August & attended a military school from 5^th August. He was marched into the school at Jellalabad Barracks, Tidworth on 14^th September. This was for corporals and sergeants (or promising privates) being trained in leadership, drill and discipline, instruction techniques & small unit tactics. However, on 4^th October he reverted to rank and proceeded overseas to France and joined his unit on 11^th October, 1918.

WAR ENDED

The end of the war was in sight and on 11^th November the fighting was officially over so he prepared to return to Australia. After the Armistice, the Australian Prime Minister Billy Hughes insisted Australian troops be repatriated (returned home) as quickly as possible. This logistical challenge was enormous with 135,000 troops brought home from Britain in 147 voyages, and 16,773 troops from the Middle East in 56 voyages, mostly on a first come, first go basis. There was a lack of suitable ships to transport personnel home and many had to wait several months before they were headed back to Australia.

GOING HOME

Hector returned to England on leave until he returned to Australian on the Port Melbourne on 22^nd August 1919. His invalid report dated 23^rd August stated he had no illness & no disability now and was fit for demobilisation. He was discharged on 22^nd September 1919.

FOR HIS SERVICE

For his service, Hector was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, and the Victory Medal.

HOME LIFE

Hector married Violet May Moncrieff in 1924. He died in Sydney on 5^th May 1984, aged 84, He is buried at Eastern Suburbs Memorial Park, Matraville,  plot Eastern Court Walls, Wall C, Position 12

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