CUNNINGHAM, Clarence Roy
| Service Number: | NX130073 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 2 December 1941 |
| Last Rank: | Sergeant |
| Last Unit: | 2nd/14th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Condobolin, New South Wales, Australia, 3 January 1924 |
| Home Town: | Tottenham, Lachlan, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Condobolin, New South Wales, Australia |
| Occupation: | Labourer - Billy Dunn Sawmill. |
| Died: | Natural Causes, 10 February 2020, aged 96 years, place of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Tottenham Cemetery, New South Wales, Australia |
| Memorials: |
World War 2 Service
| 2 Dec 1941: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Sergeant, NX130073 | |
|---|---|---|
| 31 May 1946: | Discharged Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Sergeant, NX130073, 2nd/14th Infantry Battalion |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Tracee Romer
Clarence Cunningham was born in Condobolin. He attempted to enlist in the Australian Military Forces in 1940.
Due to his age, he was finally accepted and registered for Military Service on the 25th April 1941 in Condobolin NSW.
Clarrie marched into the 6th Australian Motor Regiment to commence full-time military service. The motor Regiment was a Militia Light Horse Regiment. Moving away from horses the Regiment was fitted with armoured vehicles to provide an armoured capability. However, Clarrie was too tall, and his feet were too big for the pedals in armoured vehicles like the Militia Tanks.
Clarence transferred to the Australian Imperial Forces, 2/14 Battalion on the 22nd of September 1942. There he commenced training in Melbourne. After training he was deployed to Papua New Guinea.
During his service, he was promoted from Private to Lance Corporal, Corporal then Sergeant within a 4 year period.
Clarrie was a natural bushman who adjusted his bush craft to the military, enabling him to lead his solders on the front line.
Clarrie was a Section Leader, Section Commander and Platoon Sergeant in Charlie Company, 15 Platoon 2/14 Battalion.
The Battalion War Diaries recored, that on the 1st of July 1945, 2/14 lead the 7th division invasion force that landed to capture the oil port of Balikpapan in Borneo. Charlie Company's first task was to send 15 Platoon, to lead and capture the bridge over the Klandasar river.
15 Platoon, engaged in heavy fighting, they destroyed the enemy, captured the bridge and sent remaining enemy into retreat.
The Battalion War Diary reports, Corporal Clarrie Cunningham was first over the bridge, engaging the enemy under heavy fire. 15 Platoon continued to advance towards the main objective and seized the bridge.
This display of leadership and courage shows Clarrie was a fearless, loyal and resilient man.
When the war ended, Clarrie married his one love Marjorie on the 26th April 1946. Clarrie and Marjorie celebrated 71 years of marriage.
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