Clemens, Harry Bertram

3529 Private Harry Bertram Clemens - 10th Light Horse Regiment

Harry Bertram Clemens was born in Fremantle WA on the 17th September 1890 to Henry and Selina Clemens. Sadly the first two children of Henry and Selina did not survive birth, but Harry was their first child to survive. He was followed by three siblings, Arthur in 1893, Victor in 1896 and Norman in 1898.

Henry Clemens was a contractor and builder in the Fremantle district and the family lived at 17 Ada Street South Fremantle. The family lived in Fremantle till the 1906 and Harry received his initial education in Fremantle. His father then took the family to Dangin, which is a small wheatbelt town just south of Quairading.

Harry worked on the family farm till 1917 when he enlisted into the Australian Imperial Force. The medical examiner passed him as fit for service and recorded Harry' physical attributes as;

Height - 5 feet 8 inches tall;

Weight - 150lbs;

Chest Measurement - 34-36 inches;

Complexion - Dark;

Eyes - Grey;

Hair - Brown.

Upon his successful enlistment Harry was sent to Blackboy Hill Camp in Perth. After arriving in Camp Harry requested to be sent to the Light Horse and was then sent to the Light Horse Depot Squadron. He passed his riding tests but before he was assigned to a reinforcement group, Harry was assigned to the NCO Depot. He was at the school for non commissioned officers till 15th July 1917.

Harry was then returned to the Light Horse Training Depot. It wasn't until the 24th September 1917 that Harry was assigned to the 31st Reinforcements to the 10th Light Horse Regiment. He trained with this group in Perth for the next several weeks. On the 9th November 1917 Harry and his group entrained for Fremantle Harbour where they boarded the transport ship Commonwealth. This ship then set sail for Egypt and after their arrival Harry was sent to the 3rd Light Horse Brigade Training Camp at Moascar. He remained there till the 24th February 1918 when he was transferred to the Signalling Training Camp. He remained there for the next few months gaining experience with signals communication.

On the 24th June 1918 Harry was taken on strength of the 10th Light Horse Regiment. He served with them until the 10th September 1918. He had fallen ill and was then sent to Hospital. Harry was admitted to the 14th Australian General Hospital and was there till the 30th October 1918. He was then sent to a rest camp.

On the 7th November 1918 he was transferred to the Signalling training section camp and was there when the Armistice was announced on the 11th November 1918. On the 18th November 1918 he rejoined the 10th Light Horse Regiment. He served with them until the 9th March 1919 when he had a few weeks in hospital.

Harry returned to his regiment but also applied for leave to England which was accepted.

On the 9th July 1919 Harry departed Egypt for England aboard the troopship Tagua. He had the next five months in England. In December 1919 he boarded the troopship Megantic and set sail for home, reaching Fremantle on the 13th February 1920.

Harry was discharged from the AIF on the 19th March 1920.

After his discharge Harry returned to farming at Quairading.

His father Henry died in Quairading in 1927.

In 1925 Harry married May McIntosh in Perth and they would have two children, Athol and Jennifer.

In World War Two Harry again offered his services and was accepted. (W73390). He was assigned to the Northam Battalion of the Volunteer Defence Corps and served from 1942 to 1943.

Harry died in Perth on December 5th 1946 aged 55. He was buried at Quairading Cemetery.

An obituary was published in the York Leader and Quairading and Dangin Herald.

OBITUARY

Mr. HARRY BERTRAM CLEMENS.

(From Our Correspondent)

ft came as a great shock to his wide circle of friends to learn of the death of Mr. Harry Bertram Clemens, in Perth, on December 5. His death followed a relapse after an operation. The deceased had been a resident of the Dangin district for a lengthy period, and was one of the district's, most prominent citizens and farmer. He commanded the respect and friendship of all who knew him and his untimely passing will be regretted by all. He took a keen interest in all matters pertaining to the welfare of the district and for many years was a member of the (Quairading Road Board and at the time of his death, was vice-chairman. He is survived by his wife and son and daughter (Athol and Jennifer) and ty them the deepest sympathy of all is extended.

The funeral took place on Wednesday, December 11 and his remains were interred in the Methodist portion of the (Quairading cemetery in the presence of a very large and representative gathering. Prior to the interment, a service was held in the Methodist church and the "Dead March" was rendered by the organist, Mr. Knox Thomson. Rev. W. J. Cramp officiated at both church and graveside. The chairman of the Quairading Road Board, also spoke at the graveside and eulogised the work done by the deceased and said that his conduct as a member of the Board and a citizen had been an inspiration for all. At the conclusion of the service, brethren of the Dangin Masonic Lodge, of which the deceased had been prominent member perambulated the grave as a token of respect.