Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

THOMAS REUBEN CLUES
Thomas Reuben Clues Reg. No. 278 was the eldest son of Kendrick Clues, and Caroline Elizabeth nee Flavell, of George Street Payneham. He was one of seven children, three boys and four girls. Prior to enlisting he was a labourer. At the time of enlistment he had just turned 20 years of age. He was accepted into E Company of the 27th Battalion. He sailed from Adelaide on HMAT Geelong, on 31st May 1915, for Alexandria Egypt. He sailed to Gallipoli via Mudros on 10th January 1916. Prior to leaving Adelaide he had attempted to see his sister at Henley Beach. She was not at home so he wrote her a letter. He told her he had done as she had asked, and made an allotment from his pay to her. She was to use it for looking after Mum, when she got out of hospital. He also left instructions as to how his money was to be shared, should he not return. He also said he had as much chance as anyone to return safely, and not to worry. On the 15th of March he proceeded to Marseilles as part of the British Expeditionary Force. He was attached to the 7th Brigade of snipers in France. On the 12th August 1916 he was listed as wounded in action. By the 11th of October 1916, he was listed as now wounded and missing. At a court of inquiry on 30th of July 1917 he was designated as killed in action, and the date of his death was proclaimed as 4th August 1916. In July 1917, Thomas’s sister had written to the Battalions records dept. informing them that her husband, also a returned serviceman, had been advised by another returned member of the 27th Battalion, that he had seen Thomas in a hospital in London. The records department asked for a statutory declaration to be forwarded to them, from the returned serviceman. On September 15th 1916, Thomas’s mother had sent a letter asking for details of his injuries. Three days later she died of breast cancer. She was 56 years of age. She was aware before her death that her 2nd son Robert had been killed at Gallipoli. The Red Cross received a letter from a Miss Knott of “Sea View” Athelstone, seeking news of Thomas Clues and also Sergeant Cyril Hurst Beck Reg. No. 2379. Miss Knott was to be advised that Sergeant Beck had been killed in action, and Thomas Clues was wounded and missing.
After notification of Thomas’s death, the letter written to his sister was accepted as his last will and testament. The wishes expressed in that letter were carried through. With Thomas and Robert both killed in action the family now consisted of Father Kendrick Clues, Sarah Jane Harding, Ruby Grace Harkin, Mildred Tamson Hutchinson, and Sidney Watson Clues.
Thomas Reuben Clues is remembered on the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial in France.



http://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/Search/thomas clues
https://www.awm.gov.au/images/collection/pdf/RCDIG1041499--1-.pdf
https://sarcib.ww1.collections.slsa.sa.gov.au/soldier/thomas-clues
http://www.spirits-of-gallipoli.com/families/files/CLUES-RJ-Gen.pdf