Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Father CLISSOLD, Cpl. George Albert, 4392. 18th Battalion AIF, killed in action 19 November 1916. Age 43.

George and Mary Clissold’s eldest child, 1809 Private Charles Albert Clissold 36th Battalion AIF, enlisted in March 1916 with his parents consent as he was under the age of 21. His age is listed as 18 years and 1 month, and Charles Clissold left Australia September 1916 and arrived at Portsmouth, England during December 1916.  He joined the 36th Battalion at Etaples in January 1917.  On the 7th June 1917, the 36th Battalion took part in Battle of Messines and Charles was killed in action on the same day. His death was reported in the Nepean Times on the 14th July, 1917, page 6, and the article is as follows,

“Though Australia is some 12,000 miles or more, per nearest oceanic route from the seat of war, the awful intensity; the relentless deadliness of the grim Armageddon is being almost daily made the more painfully evident by the many additions to the list of Australian heroes who have fallen in battle; and to those householders who have lost not only their breadwinner (father) but also their only son, as in the case of the Clissold family of Emu Plains, the direful ravages of and the anguish caused by the war, is surely exceedingly bitter testimony of the most appalling struggle in the history of the world.

It will be remembered that the death of Sergeant George Clissold, who fell in action on Western Front on 9th November 1916, was duly reported in our columns, and reference on that occasion was made to the enlistment of Sergeant Clissold's only son (Private Charles Albert Clissold) and it is now our sad duty to report that Private C A Clissold, like his heroic father, has also given the sacrifice of his life in the cause of his country and Empire, news of his death in action, on 7th June, having been recently received by Mrs Clissold and family.  The deceased hero, who was a lad of splendid physique, being 6ft 2in in height and finely proportioned, enlisted on 14 March 1916, being scarcely 17 years of age at the time of enlisting.  He had been desirous of going to war, however, for twelve months previously, and eventually, like so many valiant young Australians, whose names will ever enrich the martial annals of our country, found his way to the fiery zone of war; to meet the glorious end of the noblest warrior in the very flower of his youth.  Private Charles A Clissold was a native of Emu Plains and attended the Emu and Penrith Public schools in his boyhood.  At the time of enlisting he was employed at the Emu Gravel Works, living at his parental home.  In writing home he had mentioned that he had spent his 18th birthday (29th March) at the front, in a very different atmosphere to that of the peaceful surroundings in Australia of his previous birthdays; and in his last letter stated that he had met Private Mertoun Mills (since reported killed, to the great regret of Penrith citizens), Privates W and C Fowler, Private C Ausburn (lately reported wounded), Roy Richards, and others.  He was then - at the time of writing (27th April) just having three weeks furlough after strenuous work in the field.  Deceased was a member of the Senior Cadets and had always taken close interest in military matters.  He was a fine open-hearted, brave, high-spirited lad and the deep sympathy of his associates and of the community will go out to his bereaved mother and sisters, who have suffered such a grievous blow, in the double bereavement, through the harrowing agency of the most sanguinary of wars."