Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Henry Clarke Waite was born in Harris Park, New South Wales in September 1891. He enlisted into the AIF on the 15th of May, 1916, he was 24 at the time. He had recently married Mabel Florence Glebe in 1915 and the couple lived at 5 Camden Rd, Woollahra, NSW. Prior to serving in the 55th battalion for the AIF, Henry was a registered bricklayer by trade. When he enlisted to the AIF, Henry was 5 foot 8, had a dark complexion, brown hair and hazel eyes, he weighed 150 pounds (68kgs) and had a significant scar on his upper abdomen.

Henry embarked on the HMAT A40 Ceramic on the 7th of October, 1916 and his voyage lasted over 6 weeks. He spent a month in Plymouth before embarking on Princess Victoria heading to France.

During his efforts in France, Henry received a minor wound in action on the 3rd of June, 1917 but was not admitted to hospital. 15 days later, Henry received a severe gunshot wound to the back and was taken to the Bath War Hospital in England a day later. A letter was sent to Mabel Florence Waite informing her that Henry had received an injury however the initial letter did not include specific details. 10 days later, a second letter was sent to Mabel stating the details of his injury including which hospital he was admitted to when the injury occurred and the location of the injury. During July, Mabel Florence Waite received two further letters stating that her husband was recovering from his gunshot wounds.

After getting treatment for his gunshot wound, Henry left the Bath war hospital on the 31st of July and set off for Weymouth, England. After staying at the Anzac camps at Weymouth for two weeks he left for Perham Down Camp, a training camp for injury recovered soldiers. During various medical assessments at Perham Down, Henry was classified as a B1A4 soldier which meant “Fit for Overseas Training Camp when passed dentally fit.” Three weeks later he was reclassified as an A3 soldier meaning “Fit for Overseas Training Camp,” he was then sent Australian No.1 Command Depot at Sutton Veny for further hardening. Sutton Veny was a small English village used as a training facility for troops about to fight in Northern France and also housed prisoners of war.

On the 5th of December, 1917, Henry embarked to France from Southampton. After serving roughly 3 months in France, Henry transferred to defend the 14th Australian Brigade Headquarters from the 55th Battalion. After being attacked while defending the Headquarters he returned to the 55th Battalion on the 5th of June, 1918. Three months after returning from duty, Henry was admitted to hospital for severe abscesses on his knees and thighs. He was sent to the 1st Southern General Hospital, Edgbaston section, England, a letter was sent to his wife 18 days after the injury.  Henry was released from the hospital and again was admitted to Sutton Veny 1st Australian General Hospital where doctors assessed his physical health. On the 19th of September 1918, a medical examination was conducted on Henry ultimately determining that he was recovering from his injuries. 5 days later he was reclassified as a B1A3 soldier, “Fit for Overseas Training Camp in two to three weeks.” He finally was submitted to a training camp in Codford, Warminster, on the 16th of January 1919.

After the war, Henry Clarke Waite set out for Sydney, NSW. He embarked on the 19th of February 1919 and arrived home on the 3rd of April 1919. he was formally discharged on 5 January 1920.

He received the British War Medal and the Vicotry Medal in recgnition of his service.

Henry's death is not recorded in public records.