FAMILY LIFE

Clarence Reginald Nichols was born in 1895 in Cobargo, son of Walter Herbert & Dina (Fitch) Nichols. He is one of 4 children. The family moved to the Tweed in 1914. Clarence’s brother Bert, enlisted the same day.

ATTESTATION

Clarence was single butcher, eager to do his bit. He travelled to Liverpool on 7^th February 1916 to complete his application which showed his next of kin as his father, Walter Herbert, of Tumbulgum. He had been in the militia for 2 years

He then signed a declaration confirming he had answered the questions correctly and was willing to voluntarily agree to service in the Military Forces of the Commonwealth of Australia

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CERTIFICATE OF ATTESTING OFFICER

On the second page of the attestation documents the attesting confirms the following; “The foregoing questions were read to the person enlisted in my presence. I have taken care that he understood each question, and his answer to each question has been duly entered as replied to by him”

OATH

He also made the following oath in the presence of the Attesting Officer: “I, Clarence Reginald Nichols, swear that I will well and truly serve our Sovereign Lord the King in the Australian Imperial Force until the end of the War, and a further four months thereafter unless sooner lawfully discharged, dismissed or removed therefrom: and that I will resist His Majesty’s enemies and case His Majesty’s peace to be kept and maintained; and I will in all matters appertaining to my services faithfully discharge my duty according to law

SO, HELP ME, GOD.” 

MEDICAL EXAMINATION

His medical showed he was 21 years old, 5ft 5 ½ inches tall (1.69m), weighed 125 lbs (57kgs), with a fair complexion, hazel eyes & brown hair. His eyesight was good. It was noted that he had peritonitis (inflammation of the abdomen) 17 years ago. Clarence was Presbyterian.   

CERTIFICATE OF MEDICAL EXAMINER

The medical examiner certifies I have examined the abovenamed person, and find that he does not present any of the following conditions, viz: -

Scrofula; phthisis; syphilis; impaired constitution; defective intelligence; defects of vision, voice, or hearing; hernia’ haemorrhoids; varicose veins, beyond a limited extent; marked varicocele with unusually pendent testicle; inveterate cutaneous disease’ chronic ulcers; traces of corporal punishment or evidence of having been marked with the letters D. or B.C; contracted or deformed chest; abnormal curvature of spine; or any other disease or physical defect calculated to unfit him for the duties of a soldier.

He can see the required distance with either eye; his heart and lungs are healthy; he has the free use of his joints and limbs; and he declares he is not subject to fits of any description. I consider him fit for active service

CERTIFICATE OF COMMANDING OFFICER

This is completed during the recruits training. Clarence was in Liverpool training camp when this was completed on 10^th February 1916. The commanding officer certifies that this attestation of the abovenamed person is correct, and that the required forms have been complied with. He then states “I accordingly approve, and appoint him

as a private into the 36^th Infantry Battalion with service No 526.

TRANSFERRED TO 33^RD BATTALION APRIL 1918

He was transferred to 33^rd Battalion on 30^th April 1918

TRAINING AT LIVERPOOL

Now training for the new recruits began at Holdsworthy. They would spend several weeks there and then move to Newcastle to complete the training. 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

INNOCULATIONS

All recruits were given a range of inoculations while in camp. The most important jab was to protect against smallpox and typhoid – indeed, having this was an essential precondition of enlisting.

THE UNIFORM

The recruits were issued with their uniform- service dress jacket was made of Australian wool and its loose fit gave the wearer more allowance for movement. The four large pockets were very useful. A unique feature designed for comfort was the pleated back, which provided a double thickness of cloth down the back that the pack rubbed against. Breeches were corduroy worn with wool wrap puttees. The famous khaki felt slouch hat or early service cap is probably the most distinctive part of the uniform. turned up on the left and featuring a plain khaki band, chinstrap and “rising sun” badge.

SOLDIER’S KIT

Australia's World War I soldiers went to war weighed down by almost 30 kilograms of clothes, weapons, tools and kit.

·      Breeches: made from khaki woollen cord fabric, with side pockets and button flies. Soldiers were issued with two pairs of breeches, plus a pair of dungarees. The breeches ended above the ankles and the gap was filled with puttees.

·      Braces: worn with breeches.

·      Puttees: The men wound these strips of woollen cloth, almost three metres long, upwards from the ankle to just below the knee. Soldiers disliked the puttees, probably with good reason: the tight binding restricted circulation and might even have contributed to the high incidence of trench foot. Mounted troops wore leather leggings.

·      Shirt: Soldiers were given two grey, collarless, flannel shirt, plus a military shirt.

·      Ankle boots: brown and lace-up.

·      Socks: Made from wool or cotton. Soldiers were issued with three pairs.

·      Greatcoat: the khaki woollen coat (which weighed about 3kg) often doubled as a soldier's bedding and was his chief protection against the cold and wet. The coat came into its own when snow hit Gallipoli in November 1915 and also on the Western Front.

·      Jersey

·      Singlets: Soldiers were issued with 2 woollen singlets.

·      Cotton "drawers" (underpants): Soldiers were issued with two pairs.

·      Abdominal belts: a sort of cummerbund that was issued to keep soldiers warm and supposedly ward off disease.

·      Backpacks and webbing: The main backpack was a rectangular sack measuring about 15 inches x 13 inches, closed at the top by a folding cover secured by two straps. The webbing included a web belt, cartridge pouches, small haversack, bayonet frog, an entrenching tool holder (plus another holder for its handle), and a water-bottle holder.

·      Identity disc: Soldiers were initially issued with one medal "dog tag" on a cord, but later in the war they were given two tags, made of compressed fibre.

·      Soldiers were also issued with a "housewife" - a sewing kit containing such items as needles, thimble, thread, wool and button so they could carry out running repairs.

·      Also in their kit were a short-magazine Lee-Enfield (SMLE) rifle, a rifle sling, a bayonet and scabbard, and an "entrenching tool" (they were "diggers" after all). This came in two parts, with the helve (handle) separate from the spade part.

·      Soldiers were issued with eating equipment (knife, fork, spoon, an enamel mug, water bottle (with two-point capacity), and a mess tin with carrier.

·      They also had a clasp knife (with marlin spike, tin-opener and lanyard), razor, shaving kit, soap, comb, two towels, field dressing (carried in the tunic's inside pocket), and a hold-all, in which they could pack their private possessions.

·      No item was probably looked after more carefully than their service pay book: privates were paid six shillings a day

VOYAGE OVERSEAS SYDNEY TO ENGLAND MAY 1916

On 13 May 1916 the brothers, with the other recruits, entrained for Sydney, where they embarked upon HMAT Beltana. Alongside his comrades, he marched aboard, his boots ringing on the gangway. As the ship’s lines were cast off and the quay began to slip away, the reality of war lay ahead, but for now, the sea breeze carried only the sound of voices and the excitement of men bound for adventure, duty, and the unknown.

The epic voyage across the ocean has been described as “the longest journey to war in the history of the world.” 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. On the voyage, due to overcrowding, training was limited to mainly to lectures and a little physical training.

SLEEPING & LIVING ARRANGEMENTS

Recruits likely slept in a crowded troop deck below, where rows of hammocks or three-tier wooden bunks were crammed close together.

Air below decks could be stuffy, especially in warmer climates, and seasickness was common during the first few days.

DAILY ROUTINE

Reveille early each morning, followed by physical exercises on the open decks (weather permitting). There were parades and inspections—officers ensured uniforms, rifles, and kit were clean and in order. Training was a little problematic—drill without much space, rifle maintenance, lectures on military discipline, signalling, and trench warfare theory. The ship’s decks were used for marching in tight circles or practising bayonet thrusts into stuffed sacks. Rifle shooting was impossible at sea, so soldiers learned to strip and clean their weapons until it was second nature.

MEALS

Three hearty meals a day were served; breakfast usually consisted of porridge, stew, and tea. Lunch included soup, meat, vegetables, and pudding. Meat, bread with jam and tea was served for dinner. The meals were served in shifts from the ship’s galley. Queues were long, and eating on a rolling ship meant many tried to eat quickly before nausea set in.

HEALTH & SANITATION

Shipboard hygiene was critical—every man was ordered to scrub his section daily to prevent disease. Saltwater baths were the norm, with freshwater rationed for drinking.

THE VOYAGE EXPERIENCE

Entertainment included church drill, concerts, singalongs, card games, and makeshift cricket matches on deck when the weather allowed. In an attempt to keep up morale, an area of the ship was roped off where regular boxing and wrestling tournaments were held. This became commonly known as the Stoush Stadium. No letters could be sent until they reached port, but men often wrote diaries or unsent letters to be posted later.

The 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

CROSSING THE EQUATOR CEREMONY

The crossing the Equator ceremony, ‘Neptune’s Journey,’ was played-out on each troopship.

SIGHTS AT SEA

On the way to Egypt, where the ship would refuel & take on supplies, the ship would pass through the Great Australian Bight, cross the Indian Ocean, and stop at Colombo (Ceylon now Sri Lanka) for coal and supplies.

SECURITY

By late 1914, German raiders were active, so lifeboat drills were frequent, and lookouts kept watch for suspicious ships. Troopships generally sailed in convoys or at least took zig-zag courses to make torpedo attacks harder. Ships often travelled under blackout conditions at night, with lookouts specifically watching for periscopes or torpedo wakes. The danger was greatest in the Western Approaches near Britain, where U-boats patrolled choke points like the English Channel and Irish Sea.

EGYPT

After several weeks at sea, the men finally saw the dusty shoreline of Port Said or Alexandria. They could only wonder at the sights and sounds they could see as they watched the ship being refuelled and goods taken on board

ENGLAND

About a fortnight later the men finally saw the green shoreline of England. The reality of leaving home truly sank in. The recruits would soon exchange the ship’s cramped decks for the training grounds of England, preparing for what lay ahead.

ENGLISH TRAINING CAMP

Clarence & Bert disembarked at Devonport on 9^th July 1916. When Australian soldiers arrived in England, they were initially sent to depot camps or staging areas, such as Perham Downs, Larkhill, or transit depots near the port. These were not full training camps but temporary holding locations where soldiers could be processed.

During this interim period, soldiers typically:

·      Recovered from the voyage: After long sea travel from Australia (often via South Africa), troops needed time to rest and regain strength.

·      Underwent medical inspections: To check for illnesses, infections, or conditions like venereal disease that might delay their training.

·      Received equipment and uniforms: This included British-issued gear better suited to the Western Front.

·      Were assigned to training battalions: Administrative processing sorted soldiers into reinforcement drafts for specific front-line battalions.

·      Drilled lightly: They performed light drills, parades, and familiarisation routines while waiting for formal training slots to be available

The battalion then went into the training camp. They had already completed their basic training in Australia but over many more tough months, in the 36^th Battalion’s English training camp, the volunteers left their old lives farther behind. When the recruits arrived in England, they entered a period of intensive preparation that was both physically demanding and strategically vital. The battalion was sent to the great training areas on Salisbury Plain, the heart of Australian infantry training in Britain, where thousands of AIF reinforcements and newly arrived units were being moulded into fighting formations for the Western Front. The Battalion was primarily based around Larkhill Camp, a sprawling military complex of huts, parade grounds and artillery ranges that dominated the chalk downs and had already become synonymous with hard soldiering.

Life at Larkhill was austere and relentless. The recruits lived in wooden huts that offered little protection from the English weather, and the damp cold of the Plain came as a shock to men who had trained in Australia and/or Egypt. Days began early, often before dawn, with physical training designed to build endurance and toughness. Long route marches across the open downs were a regular feature, men carrying full packs, rifles, ammunition, and equipment as they were conditioned for the demands of trench warfare.

Training was systematic and increasingly realistic. The men would have spent many hours on the parade ground mastering drill, weapon handling, and unit manoeuvres, but the focus soon shifted to battlefield skills. The battalion practised trench warfare techniques, including entering and clearing enemy trenches, bombing drills with Mills grenades, bayonet fighting, and the rapid consolidation of captured positions. Specially constructed practice trenches on Salisbury Plain allowed officers and NCOs to rehearse attacks down to the smallest detail, ensuring that every man understood his role once the battalion went into action.

Musketry training was constant. The men would have fired thousands of rounds on the rifle ranges, honing accuracy, and speed, learning to fire from awkward positions and under time pressure. Lewis gun teams trained separately, while all infantrymen were taught how to operate the weapon if needed. Gas warfare instruction was also compulsory; men practised donning respirators under simulated gas attacks, a grim but necessary preparation for conditions at the front.

Between training cycles, the battalion undertook further instruction at nearby camps on Salisbury Plain, including periods at Perham Down, another major training area used to relieve overcrowding and provide additional field space. Here the emphasis was on large-scale exercises involving entire brigades, practising attacks behind creeping artillery barrages, night operations, and movement under cover. These exercises often lasted days, with men sleeping in the open, reinforcing the endurance and discipline required for front-line service.

Despite the hard routine, there were moments of respite. When training schedules allowed, the men may have been granted short leave to nearby towns such as Salisbury or even London, where Australian soldiers briefly escaped the rigours of camp life. These interludes, however, were short-lived, and by autumn the training intensified as the battalion’s departure for France drew closer.

By late November 1916, after many months of continuous preparation in England, the Battalion was judged ready for active service. The recruits had been transformed from a newly arrived reinforcement into a fully trained infantryman, accustomed to discipline, hardship, and the mechanics of modern war. When the battalion finally crossed to France, it did so as a cohesive and well-drilled unit, prepared—so far as training could allow—for the brutal realities of the Western Front.

WESTERN FRONT & TRENCH WARFARE NOVEMBER 1916

On 22^nd November 1916 they proceeded to France, taking up a position on the Western Front on 4 December 1916, in time to sit out an uncomfortable winter in the trenches. On the Western Front in 1914–1918, both sides constructed elaborate trench, underground, and dugout systems opposing each other along a front, protected from assault by barbed wire. The area between opposing trench lines (known as "no man's land") was fully exposed to artillery fire from both sides. Attacks, even if successful, often sustained severe casualties. Trench warfare created a living environment for the men which was harsh, stagnant, and extremely dangerous. Not only were trenches constantly under threat of attack from shells or other weapons, but there were also many health risks that developed into large-scale problems for medical personnel. Apart from the inescapable cold during the winters in France, trenches were often completely waterlogged and muddy, and crawling with lice and rats

1917: FRONTLINE SERVICE

JANUARY – MARCH 1917: FIRST EXPOSURE TO THE WESTERN FRONT- INITIAL STAGING & INSERTION INTO THE TRENCHES

The 36th Battalion's first significant engagement in France was in January 1917. They were stationed in the Armentières region, near the French-Belgium border. This was considered a relatively quiet sector, but it was still a dangerous environment, with constant artillery shelling and sporadic attacks.

Clarence would have experienced the harsh realities of trench life, with freezing cold, mud, rats, and the constant stress of enemy shellfire. His tasks would likely have included maintaining trenches, standing sentry duty, and participating in minor raids

APRIL 1917: BATTLE OF BULLECOURT (FIRST BATTLE)

The Battle of Bullecourt (April 1917) was a significant and bloody battle in which Australian troops attempted to break through German lines at a village in northern France.

The 36th Battalion was not directly involved in the first phase of Bullecourt (April 1917), but they were part of the follow-up actions and spent time in the area under heavy artillery bombardment. As he had only newly joined the Battalion Clarence may not have been part of the initial assault, but he would have likely taken part in the mopping-up operations or defensive positions post-battle.

BATTLE OF MESSINES JUNE 1917

Over the course of the next six months the 36th Battalion was mainly involved in only minor defensive actions and it was not until 7 June 1917 the battalion fought in its first major battle, at Messines. After this the battalion participated in the attack on Passchendaele on 12 October 1917. During this battle, the battalion managed to secure its objective, however, as other units had not been able to do so, the battalion had had to withdraw as its flanks were exposed to German counter-attacks and there was a lack of effective artillery support. 

The Battle of Messines was a key engagement for Australian forces, marked by the successful detonation of a series of massive mines beneath the German lines. It was a strategically important battle.

The 36th Battalion played an active role in capturing German positions and holding newly gained ground. By this time, Clarence would have been deeply immersed in active combat, experiencing both the preparation for the battle and the intense fighting. He likely would have participated in the assault on the German defensive positions, which required moving through heavily defended trenches and strongpoints

JULY – NOVEMBER 1917: THE THIRD BATTLE OF YPRES (PASSCHENDAELE)

The Third Battle of Ypres, also known as the Passchendaele offensive, was a prolonged and brutal series of engagements fought in horrible weather conditions (rain, mud, and floods). The Australians were tasked with advancing in difficult terrain, often wading through mud and under constant artillery bombardment.

The 36th Battalion participated in the battle at Polygon Wood and other areas in the Ypres sector. By this point, Clarence would have been part of several attacks and possibly witnessed massive casualties. Passchendaele was an especially hard battle for Australian forces, with very little territory gained for the tremendous cost. Clarence would have had direct exposure to gas attacks, intense shelling, and the deadly nature of trench combat.

LATE 1917: REST AND REAR AREA DUTIES

NOVEMBER – DECEMBER 1917: REST & RECOVERY

POST-PASSCHENDAELE REST

After the heavy fighting at Passchendaele, the 36th Battalion and the entire Australian Corps were rotated out of the frontlines for rest and recuperation. During this period, Clarence’s duties may have included maintenance of equipment, rebuilding trenches, or preparing for the next phase of the war. He might have spent time in a relatively quieter area behind the lines, though artillery shelling and air raids were still constant threats.

THE WINTER OF 1917

Winter in the trenches could be miserable, with cold and wet conditions making it difficult to stay dry and healthy. Clarence would have also likely experienced some form of illness, like trench foot, colds, or the more severe outbreaks of influenza.

DECEMBER 1917 TO FEBRUARY 1918

LEAVE & GAS SCHOOL

On 29^th December 1917 Clarence was given leave in Paris. On 9^th February he was detached to a gas school in Belgium.  Here he learnt some of the protocols to be used when soldiers have been attacked with gas. These included gas defence weapons, first aid for gas illnesses, exercises for handling of gas masks and oxygen-protection devices, weather forecasting on the front (the air pressure and wind direction were very important measurements to determine the effectiveness of a gas attack) and gas drill in the field.

For the next five months the 36th Battalion alternated between periods of duty manning the line and training or labouring in the rear areas in Belgium. He rejoined his unit on 23rd February 1918, but was given leave to the UK on 6th March.

TRANSFER TO 33^RD BATTALION APRIL 1918

He rejoined on 24th March and on 30th April was transferred to the 33rd Battalion. This would have marked a significant change in Clarence’s service. The reasons for transfers between battalions can vary—sometimes it was due to the need for reinforcements, the merging of battalions, or changes in the line of command. He could have been transferred for logistical reasons, as the 36th Battalion might have needed more reinforcements, or the 33rd Battalion could have suffered higher casualties and needed experienced soldiers like Clarence

As part of the 33rd Battalion, Clarence would have faced new challenges, including adjusting to a different group of soldiers and officers. The 33rd, part of the same 3rd Australian Division, would have operated similarly, but every battalion had its own character and approach. The transfer would have meant another phase of intense fighting, though likely involving a change in the operational area and potentially new battles or defensive actions

MAY – JUNE 1918: ENGAGED IN DEFENSIVE ACTIONS AND COUNTERATTACKS (THE FINAL STAGES OF THE GERMAN SPRING OFFENSIVE)

MAY 1918: THE BATTLE OF THE LYS (SECOND BATTLE OF THE SOMME)

The 33rd Battalion, as part of the 3rd Australian Division, was involved in defending positions along the Lys River (near Hazebrouck and Bailleul) during the German Spring Offensive that continued through April and into May 1918. The Kaiserschlacht (Spring Offensive) had inflicted significant casualties, but the Germans were beginning to lose momentum in May as the Allies adapted.

Clarence's Role: Clarence would have been involved in holding defensive positions against the continued German attacks. The Allies, including Australian forces, were pushed back, but they managed to hold key positions along the Lys River. As part of a defensive action, he likely experienced intense artillery bombardments, small unit actions, and possibly some close-quarter fighting as the Germans tried to break through the lines.

Counterattack Preparations: The battalion would have likely participated in local counterattacks or defensive operations aimed at regaining lost territory or preventing further enemy advances

JULY 1918: THE BATTLE OF HAMEL

The Battle of Hamel (4th July 1918) was a successful Australian offensive where General John Monash demonstrated innovative tactics, including the use of combined arms (infantry, tanks, artillery, and air support). The 33rd Battalion participated in this key victory, which helped turn the tide of the war.

By the time of the Battle of Hamel, Clarence would have been engaged in the planning and preparation for the assault. The battle was relatively short but intense, lasting for several hours, and involved careful coordination of artillery bombardments, machine guns, and tanks. Clarence would likely have been part of the initial assault, advancing across open ground under heavy artillery support.

Casualties and Victory: While Hamel was a success, it still came at a cost. Clarence would have witnessed both the brutality of combat and the success of a well-coordinated attack, gaining ground and pushing the Germans back.

AUGUST 1918: THE BATTLE OF AMIENS AND THE START OF THE "100 DAYS OFFENSIVE"

The Battle of Amiens (8th August 1918) marked the beginning of the Allied “100 Days Offensive”, a series of coordinated attacks that would lead to the eventual defeat of Germany. The 33rd Battalion took part in actions around the Amiens sector, where the Australians made significant advances.

Clarence would have been involved in assaults and advancing through German positions, likely facing heavy resistance from the retreating German forces. The “100 Days Offensive” was characterized by high mobility, with Australian troops pushing forward through previously entrenched German positions, sometimes encountering guerilla warfare-style resistance.

The 33rd Battalion would have been involved in reconnaissance, securing territory, and pushing forward, likely working with tanks and aircraft to coordinate attacks. This was a fast-paced period, requiring soldiers to be ready for rapid movements

SEPTEMBER 1918: THE BATTLE OF ST. QUENTIN CANAL (AND THE FINAL PUSH)

The Battle of St. Quentin Canal was part of the larger Hundred Days Offensive and was one of the key successes in breaking through the German defences.

The 33rd Battalion participated in this attack, pushing through the Canal du Nord area. The battle was significant because it marked the breaking of the German Hindenburg Line defences. Clarence would have been part of attacks on entrenched positions along the canal. The fighting here was particularly brutal, with many soldiers engaging in close-quarter combat as they cleared German positions from the canal and surrounding defences. Heavy artillery and machine-gun fire would have made this a dangerous and exhausting period.

OCTOBER – NOVEMBER 1918: ADVANCING INTO THE HINDENBURG LINE AND BEYOND

Late October 1918 saw the Allied forces continuing their advance, breaking deeper into the Hindenburg Line, and pushing German forces back towards their own borders.

The 33rd Battalion, still engaged in pursuit and mopping-up operations, would have continued to face sporadic resistance from retreating German forces. The pace of advance increased, and Clarence likely took part in smaller engagements or patrols behind enemy lines to ensure that enemy forces were not regrouping.

By now, German morale was faltering, and many soldiers were retreating rather than fighting, but the battalion still faced challenges, including attacks on supply lines, enemy snipers, and harassment by aerial bombardment

HOSPITALISATION NOVEMBER INFLUENZA

On 22^nd November Clarence was admitted to the 9^th Field Ambulance (A Field Ambulance was a mobile front line medical unit (it was not a vehicle), manned by troops of the Royal Army Medical Corps), dangerously ill with influenza. 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.

DIED OF ILLNESS NOVEMBER 1918

However, his disease developed into bronchial pneumonia & on 29^th November Clarence died at the 3^rd District General Hospital. Clarence is buried Abbeville Communal Cemetery Extension

Picardie, France, plot V. Row E. Grave 30.

FOR HIS SERVICE

For his service, Clarence was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, and the Victory Medal and his name is recorded on the Murwillumbah War Memorial. His name is recorded on the Roll of Honour at the Australian War Memorial Np 122 among almost 62,000 Australians who died while serving in the First World War.

HIS WILL, SCROLL, VICTORY MEDAL & EFFECTS

His will was forwarded to his mother on 4^th August 1919. He had left 8 pounds to a Miss Mary Booth, of Duranbah and all other belongings to his mother. A photo of his grave was sent to his parents on 2^nd February 2020. His father received his memorial scroll on 17^th June 1922 and his Victory Medal on 16^th April 1923. Clarence’s effects were returned to his mother and consisted of his wallet, razor, pocket watch & chain, one wristwatch (broken), 1 metal cigarette case, 1 metal ring, a diary, a disc & chain, 4 French coins totalling 70 centimes, letters & photos

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