Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

This story is being told as I found a newspaper article about the Crawford War Memorial which was unveiled in Feb 1921 by Mr James Braidwood Edwards, MLA. The Honour Board was attached to the base of the Flag Pole which was part of the memorial and is situated in the State School Grounds. It seems the board no longer exists but the Flagpole and a Memorial plaque presented by the Kingaroy Memerambi RSL in 2014 as still there.

Patrick Clancy enlisted in the AIF at Enoggera on 20 Apr 1916 giving his mother Mary Clancy as next of Kin. She was living at Pelican Island, Macleay River, NSW as well as his father John Clancy.

Patrick was described as 30 years 2 months of age, 6ft in height and weighing 164lbs with a chest measurement of 36.40 inches. His complexion was fair, eyes blue and hair brown. His distinctive marks were 2 Vac Marks on both arms.

Patrick was living at Crawford near Kingaroy before the war and an article in the Maryborough Chronicle of 3 March 1916 stated: One of the, biggest and most enthusiastic functions ever held here too place on Friday evening last, the occasion bring a dance in aid of the Wounded Soldiers' Fund, combined with a send-off to Mr. P. Clancy, who has enlisted for service and leaves for Enoggera in a few days. Mr Clancy was also presented with a gold mounted fountain pen on behalf of the residents of Crawford and surrounding districts.

Patrick Clancy embarked with the 49th Battalion from Brisbane, Queensland, on board HMAT A49 Seang Choon on 19 September 1916. His photo appeared in The Queenslander (Saturday 23 December 1916 - Page 24

Sadly Patrick Clancy died of wounds on 13 Jun 1917 at 1st Australian General Hospital, Rouen and was buried at St. Sever Cemetery Extension (Block P, Plot I, Row F, Grave No. 9A0, Rouen, France.

The people of Kingaroy and Crawford remembered him. An article in the Queenslander of 19 Feb 1921 reported on the unveiling of an Honour Board attached to the Flagpole at Crawford State School by JB Edwards MLA. Patrick Clancy being one of the 14 men listed, 3 died in service. Sadly the board is not to be found but the flagpole is still at the school with a new memorial in 2015. I guess we are lucky that the photos taken by JH Foster are preserved on Trove.

An article in the Bundaberg Mail in Jul 1917 reported about the Fate of 4 Kingaroy Boys – Sergeant JW Nicholson (SRN 3111), Private P Clancy (SRN 2408A) and Private G P Cogan (SRN 5562) who all died and Private M Eisentrager (SRN 1646) severely wounded.

Another article in the Maryborough Chronicle reported: The sad news was received last week that Private P. J. Clancy, who enlisted from here (Crawford) about fifteen months ago, had died of wounds at No. 1 Australian General Hospital. France, on June 13. Another good Australian lad a victim to 'Kultur.'

Patrick Clancy is included in the book “We Will Remember them”, a database & stories if South Burnett Anzac Heroes printed by the South Burnett Regional Council where it is said he is listed on the Kingaroy Honour Board.
Lest We Forget