Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Cliff received several honours for his military service, including the 1939/45 Star, Pacific Defence Star, Defence Medal, War Medal, Australian Service Medal, and Returned from Active Service Medal. His military Certificate of Discharge (No. 299721) acknowledges his service of 1,511 days, which included 675 days overseas in potentially dangerous situations ("Cliff Henry Guest, VX5685919, 2nd AIF").

After returning to Melbourne, he was deployed to New Guinea on October 8, 1942, where he sustained a gunshot wound to his foot, returning home exactly one year later. Cliff enlisted alongside his younger brother Jack Guest 1921-1987, Special Forces Attestation, who raised his age from 19 to 21, on May 28, 1941, when Cliff was 24½ years old. Cliff's service details include Service Number: VX56859, enlisted on May 28, 1941, last rank as Private with the 2nd/7th Infantry Battalion.

Cliff was born in Jeparit, Victoria on September 21, 1916, he spent his early years in Melbourne and attended St Mary's Anglican School in North Melbourne. He worked as a labourer and passed away from lung carcinoma on April 11, 1979, at the age of 62, buried at Preston General Cemetery alongside his teenage daughter Pamela. Cliff was married to Elizabeth "Bessie" Helen Guest, née McCulloch, and was a proud father to William, Clifton, Helen, Malcolm, Pamela, and Dianne.

Cliff and Jack’s older brother Percy James Guest (1914-1968) also enlisted with the Militia on November 29, 1940. Their cousins, David Guest of Pimpinio, Western Victoria and Berty Guest of Brunswick, Melbourne, also served in World War II.

David Lindsay Guest (1920-3) was part of the 2/21st Infantry Battalion, formed on July 11, 1940, as part of the 23rd Brigade of the 8th Division. He was deployed to Ambon (Indonesia) and, later, the Netherlands East Indies, arriving on December 17, 1941, with the Gull Force. Missing since February 2, 1942, he was confirmed as a Prisoner of War (POW) 15 days later. Despite receiving care from Captain J. Ewart, M.D., David health deteriorated, and he passed away from dysentery on December 12, 194. His cousin, Berty Guest (born Albert Edward Guest, 1902-1941), died from wounds sustained in Syria on July 7, 1941, at the age of 39, while serving with the 2nd/2nd Pioneer Battalion.

Brothers Cliff, Jack, and Percy Guest’s uncles Ray Baldock and Percy Logan, both of whom served in WWI were both killed in action. Corporal Raymond Vernon Baldock who was born on December 3 1894-1917, in Kaniva, Victoria and from Jeparit, was killed in Belgium on September 20, 1917. A special cross marks his grave at Birr Cross Road Cemetery in Belgium, and his name is commemorated on Panel 52 at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, ACT.

William "Percy" Logan, affectionately known as Perc by his devoted sister, Florence Matilda Guest (1890-1968), was born on October 26, 1885, in Mount Gambier South Australia. He was the son of Fred Logan and Maria Jane (née Baldock), both of whom were born in South Australia and later settled near Jeparit and Yanipy. As one of 11, Perc was living at home when he enlisted. Tragically, he was killed in action Ypres, Belgium, on October 5, 1918, at the age of 32. He was interred at Tincourt New British Cemetery, Plot X (10), Row C, Grave 18. Memorials honouring Perc can be found at the Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Jeparit School Roll of Honor, and Kaniva Miram South & Yanipy Schools Roll of Honor.