Monkhouse, Clarrie Roy

2952A - Private Clarrie Roy Monkhouse - 32nd Battalion AIF

Clarrie Roy Monkhouse was born in Port Adelaide South Australia to Sarah & Major Monkhouse on the 19th October 1898.  He had a sister Myrtle and a brother George also born in South Australia in 1894 and 1896 respectively.

 The family moved to Western Australia while Clarrie was still young and took up residence at 172 Ellen Street Fremantle (Now 67 Ellen Street). Further children were born in Fremantle, Alfred (1904), Doris (1907) and Jack (1909).

Clarrie was educated locally at Fremantle Boys School and after leaving school took up work as a blacksmith. During this time he also served in the 86A Cadets of the Citizens Military Forces.

On the 20th June 1916 Clarrie enlisted into the Australian Imperial Force in Fremantle. He was found to be fit for enlistment and the medical officer recorded the 19 year old Clarrie's physical attributes as;

Height - 5 feet 7 inches;

Weight - 149lbs;

Chest Measurement - 34-38 inches;

Complexion - Fresh;

Eyes - Brown;

Hair - Brown.

Upon his successful enlistment Clarrie was sent to Blackboy Hill Camp where he was assigned to No.77 Training Depot. He was taken through the basics of infantry work at this camp, and then on the 1st August 1916 he was allotted to the 8th Reinforcements to the 51st Battalion AIF. While he was in this group, Clarrie had a photo taken with several other recruits. Clarrie is in the middle row (third from left).

After a month training with this group on the 4th September 1916 Clarrie was transferred into the 7th Reinforcements to the 51st Battalion. He had two more months training with this group in WA while they waited for their embarkation orders to arrive.

On the 9th November 1916 Clarrie and his group boarded the transport ship HMAT Argyllshire and set sail for England, arriving at Devonport Harbour on the 10th January 1917. After being disembarked they were sent to the 13th Training Battalion at Codford Camp on the Salisbury Plains.

Clarrie undertook several more weeks of training here and on the 14th March 1917 was put into a draft of soldiers bound for France. On arrival at Etaples Clarrie was sent to the 4th Australian Division Base Depot Camp.

It appears that Clarrie and a few other soldiers from his group were now re-assigned and instead of joining the 51st battalion they were transferred to the 32nd Battalion of the 5th Division.

Clarrie was taken on strength of the 32nd Battalion on the 6th April 1917. (Clarrie pictured standing with a mate Will Duffield (sitting) who was also transferred to the 32nd Battalion).

 The 32nd Battalion were then near Bapaume. In May 1917 the 32nd Battalion fought at the Second Battle of Bullecourt. Clarrie came through this action unscathed and after leaving the front line, the 5th Division were given a three month rest period.

From June to August 1917 the 32nd Battalion underwent training as well as participating in recreational activities in their spare time. In September the 5th Division went to Belgium as they were to participate in the Third Battle of Ypres.

In September and October 1917, the 32nd Battalion saw action at Polygon Wood, Zonnebeke and Broodseinde Ridge. Casualties were heavy in the unit though Clarrie came through safely.

From December to March 1918, the 32nd Battalion helped to hold the front line in Belgium between Ypres and Messines. On the 10th February 1918 Clarrie was given a break as he went on a two week furlough to England. He returned to his unit on the 28th February 1918 and a few weeks later on the 16th March 1918 he was sent to the 5th Division Signal School, remaining there until the 27th March 1918.

While Clarrie had been at the signal school, the Germans had launched a massive assault which had broken through the British lines. The Australian Divisions in Belgium where then sent south to the Somme to help stop this German advance. Clarrie rejoined his Battalion just before they moved south.

On the 12th April 1918 near Hamelet the 32nd Battalion were at the front when Clarrie was wounded in his left arm by shrapnel. After being patched up at the Field Ambulance Clarrie was sent to Rouen where he was admitted to the 1st Australian General Hospital. He had two days here but on the 15th April was shipped to England. Upon arrival he was sent to the 1st Southern General Hospital at Kings Heath Birmingham.

The arm was healing well and on the 22nd April Clarrie was transferred to the 3rd Australian Auxiliary Hospital at Dartford. He had eight days here and on the 1st May 1918 was granted a two week furlough.

He then reported to No.4 Command Depot Camp at Hurdcott, though he reported a day late and was charged with being absent without leave. As a punishment he had to forfeit three days pay.

On the 22nd June 1918 Clarrie was transferred to the Overseas Training Brigade Camp at Longbridge Deverell. On the 5th July 1918 Clarrie was transferred to the 5th Division technical school at the 14th Training Battalion at Codford for a period of instruction.

Clarrie would remain here for the rest of the Great War. On the 28th October 1918 Clarrie got into trouble for having a few days unauthorised leave. When he reported back, he was given a punishment of 7 days of Field Punishment No.2 and had to forfeit 10 days pay.

Clarrie was back with his unit when the Armistice was announced on the 11th November 1918. Clarrie remained with the 14th Training Battalion until the 15th January 1919. He was then sent to another camp to await a transport ship home.

On the 28th February 1919 Clarrie boarded the transport ship HMAT Anchises and set sail for Australia, disembarking in Albany on the 7th April 1919.

Clarrie was discharged from the AIF on the 5th June 1919.

Clarrie then returned home to Fremantle. In 1922 he married Hazel Grant in Palmyra and they resided in Solomon Street East Fremantle/Palmyra. During this time Clarrie was working as a Lumper at Fremantle Harbour.

They had three children over the next few years, Fay (1923), Lloyd (1925) and Keith (1927).

In 1925 they lived in North Fremantle for a few years but in the 1930's they moved to live at Point Walter Road and then Beach Street Bicton. Clarrie was now working as a Tram Driver.

In the 1940's the family moved to Safety Bay, living in Penguin Road. Clarrie was now employed as a Crane Driver.

In 1948 Clarrie helped to begin the Safety Bay Yacht Club.

Clarrie Monkhouse died on the 9th January 1956 aged 58 at Safety Bay and is buried at Fremantle Cemetery plot Anglican MON A5 0466.