S61916
PADDICK, Clifton George
| Service Number: | 3853 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | Not yet discovered |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 32nd Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Cherry Gardens, South Australia, 22 July 1893 |
| Home Town: | Not yet discovered |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Gardener |
| Died: | 1 December 1986, aged 93 years, cause of death not yet discovered, place of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Clarendon and Kangarilla Cemetery, S. A. Plot J 38 As of 30.03.2024 his grave is unmarked, SAHP are aware |
| Memorials: | Cherry Gardens WW1 Roll of Honour, Clarendon War Memorial |
World War 1 Service
| 2 Dec 1915: | Involvement Private, 3853, 10th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '10' embarkation_place: Adelaide embarkation_ship: RMS Malwa embarkation_ship_number: '' public_note: '' | |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Dec 1915: | Embarked Private, 3853, 10th Infantry Battalion, RMS Malwa, Adelaide | |
| 20 Jul 1919: | Discharged AIF WW1, 3853, 32nd Infantry Battalion |
Help us honour Clifton George Paddick's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Paul Lemar
Clifton George PADDICK was the son of Henry John PADDICK & Matilda Jane LAFFERTY and was born on the 22nd of July 1893 in Cherry Gardens, SA.
His father was born on the 6th of September 1868 in Clarendon, SA and was the son of John Thomas PADDICK & Jane TESTER.
His mother was born on the 28th of February 1871 in Clarendon, SA and was the daughter of William LAFFERTY & Sarah Jane LAIRD.
Henry & Matilda were married on the 25th of August 1890 in Clarendon, SA.
Clifton was the second child born into this family of 4 children, 3 boys & 1 girl.
Clifton’s father was a coachman.
In October 1907 Clifton and his brother were wrestling and Clifton twisted his leg and broke it just above the ankle.
In 1908 Clifton qualified for an appointment as a telegraph messenger.
On the 14th of September 1914 his brother Melville enlisted into the 3rd Light Horse Regiment, 1st Reinforcements.
At the age of 22, Clifton enlisted into the AIF on the 11th of August 1915 in Adelaide and was allotted the service number 3853 and posted to Base Infantry Depot, C Company in Mitcham Camp.
On the 1st of October he was transferred to the 10th Battalion, 12th Reinforcements.
Clifton embarked from Adelaide on board RMS Malwa on the 2nd of December 1915, disembarking in Alexandria where he trained until proceeding to France.
On the 13th of October 1916 Clifton was transferred to the 32nd Battalion.
On the 26th of July Clifton suffered a Gun Shot Wound to his right arm.
Clifton finally embarked for Australia from England on the 13th of April 1919, disembarking in Adelaide on the 27th of May and headed straight home to his parents in Clarendon.
On the 30th of June 1919 the Register reported on a “Strange Disappearance of a Returned Soldier”. The mysterious disappearance of a returned soldier, Clifton George Paddick, of Clarendon, has been reported to the police. The young man left his home at Clarendon on June 12th to visit friends in the city and has not since been seen.
On June 19th, however, Harry Mitton, of Lorn Street, Adelaide, took to the Detective Office several postcards, evidently the property of the missing man, which Harry had found under a stone near the Torrens Weir. Paddick, who is 26 years of age is thus described:— 5 ft. 10 in. in height, reddish complexion, auburn hair, clean shaven, blue eyes, slightly Roman nose, and of medium build. He was a member of the 32nd Battalion, and at the time of his disappearance had not been discharged from the forces.
He was, therefore, wearing a military uniform, with military felt hat and tan boots, and had the 32nd Battalion colours (yellow and white) on his uniform. He had about £25 in his possession.
Clifton saw this in the paper and contacted his parents to let them know he was quite well and had been staying with friends in Hilton.
Clifton was discharged on the 20th of July 1919.
By 1925 Clifton was working as a barman at the Royal Oak Hotel in Clarendon.
By 1939 Clifton was living in Clarendon and was a labourer.
Clifton died on the 1st of December 1986 and was buried in the Clarendon and Kangarilla Cemetery; Row J, Plot 38.
Military
At the age of 22, Clifton enlisted into the AIF on the 11th of August 1915 in Adelaide and was allotted the service number 3853 and posted to Base Infantry Depot, C Company in Mitcham Camp.
He listed his mother, of Cherry Gardens, as his next of kin.
On the 1st of October he was transferred to the 10th Battalion, 12th Reinforcements.
Clifton embarked from Adelaide on board RMS Malwa on the 2nd of December 1915, disembarking in Alexandria.
He was then posted to the 3rd Training Battalion.
On the 19th of March 1916 Clifton embarked from Alexandria for France, disembarking in Marseilles on the 4th of April and attached to the Provost Corps.
On the 6th of August he marched into the 3rd Training Battalion, which had been relocated to Perham Downs, England.
On the 29th of September Clifton proceeded to France and was posted to the 1st Australian Divisional Base Depot.
On the 13th of October 1916 Clifton was transferred to the 32nd Battalion who were located at Longpre.
The 32nd Battalion had fought their first major battle at Fromelles on the 19th of July 1916, having only entered the front-line trenches 3 days previously.
The attack was a disastrous introduction to battle for this Battalion – they suffered 718 casualties, almost 75 per cent of the battalion's total strength, but closer to 90 per cent of its actual fighting strength.
Although they still spent periods in the front line, they played no major offensive role for the rest of the year and spent most of their time training and resting.
They had moved to St Vast in early November for further training and by January 1917 they were located at Rainneville.
In August they were located at Racquingham practising for their next battle.
Clifton was awarded leave to England in September and on the 12th he was admitted to the 1st Australian General Hospital in Bulford suffering from Arthritis.
On the 24th he was transferred to the No.1 Convalescent Depot in Pherham Downs where he remained until the 6th of October.
He was then transferred to the HQ of the AIF overseas training Brigade in Longbridge Deverill until again proceeded to France on the 2nd of November.
Clifton rejoined his Battalion on the 14th of November who were located as a support Battalion in the Messines sector.
They then moved to the front line at Messines in December before marching back to Wulverghem as a reserve Battalion.
They then marched onto Desvres, near Boulogne, where they spent Christmas and underwent specialised training.
Most of 1918 Clifton and his Battalion were placed as a reserve Battalion, but by the 15th of March they were at the front line at Gapaard, near Messines.
By the 23rd of April they had moved into the reserve line at Corbie.
On the 17th of July they marched into reserve at Ribemont and on the 29th Clifton took part in a divisional operation on the Bray-Corbie Road.
On the 26th of July Clifton suffered a Gun Shot Wound to his right arm and was transferred to the 15th Field Ambulance and then to the 61st Casualty Clearing Station the following day.
From here he was transferred to the 47th General Hospital in Le Treport on the 28th.
On the 8th of August he was transferred back to England and admitted to Beaufort Hospital in Bristol on the 9th.
He spent 8 days here before being transferred to the 3rd Auxiliary Hospital in Dartford.
After Clifton recovered he proceeded to France on the 21st of November and rejoined his battalion the following day in Ramburelles.
Christmas was spent in Sars-Poteries.
Clifton finally embarked from Havre for England on the 14th of February 1919, disembarking in Weymouth
Clifton finally embarked for Australia from England on the 13th of April 1919, disembarking in Adelaide on the 27th of May.
Clifton was discharged on the 20th of July 1919.