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Claude Joseph McGlynn - Information

The McGlynn family were prominent Campbelltown residents. Claude was the only son of Joseph and Louisa McGlynn, born in Mittagong in 1896. Claude’s grandfather, Joseph McGlynn Snr was Editor and Proprietor of The Campbelltown Herald newspaper. Joseph Jnr also worked at the newspaper as a journalist, adding a daughter to the family with the birth of Muriel in 1898. Joseph Jnr then moved his family to Homebush where they resided on Concord Rd. When the war started, Claude was still living in Homebush and working as a clerk and signalman. Claude then decided to enlist in the AIF in Sydney on the 6th of January 1917. He trained at the Royal Showground Camp, and was posted to the 5th Railway Section. He then embarked Melbourne on the HMAT Ascanius on the 11th of May 1917.

Claude arrived in Devonport, England on the 20th of July. In late September, he was assigned to the 16th Railway Company as a Sapper, and in September headed overseas to France. Claude and his mates worked hard ensuring that vital war material was delivered along the front. In October 1918, he was again transferred to the 2nd Railway Company and was stationed to the 1st Convalescence Depot. In mid January 1919, he was allotted to the 3rd ANZAC Division Artillery Headquarters. He was then transferred to the 7th Field Artillery Brigade as a Gunner in March. The following month, he was completing duty with the AIF Headquarters in London, and enjoyed some leave. Claude began his journey back to Australia from England on the 22nd of August 1919.

He was finally discharged from the military in late November and returned to his family. Claude quickly got on with his civilian life, marrying Kathleen Branch in Burwood in 1921. Claude and Kathleen had a happy life together having three children. Claude passed away in Sydney on the 9th of November 1960.