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Horace Stewart Clarke - Information

When Horace signed up for war service he was living in Wentworth Falls on Waratah Rd, and working as a labourer. Horace was born in Burragorang c1897 to Joseph Stewart and Annie Elizabeth Clarke. The war had a significant impact on the Clarke family. In 1916, Horace’s brothers, Clifford and George joined the war effort and left for Europe. Horace then travelled to Katoomba to enlist on the 10th of April 1917. He commenced training at the Royal Showground Camp in Sydney and was placed with the 25th Reinforcements, 1st Battalion as a Private. He was then shipped out from Sydney on the 10th of May 1917.

Horace landed in Devonport in late July, and was marched into the 1st Training Battalion in Durrington. In November, he left Folkestone for France, joining the 1st Battalion the following month. After enduring a harsh winter in the lines, Horace reported to hospital in Rouen with influenza and scabies. Unluckily, the following month, he was readmitted with the measles. He returned to duty in early July. He was then brought before a Court Martial on the 15th of October, however, returned to his unit four days later, shortly before the war ended. His health continued to be plagued by bronchitis and influenza throughout 1919, before leaving for Australia on the 12th of June 1919.