Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

"OUR FALLEN HEROES.

Pte. Clarence Melvin Humphrys, 43rd Battalion, whose death was reported from wounds received in action about July 29, died on October 6 at the General Hospital, Rouen, France. He was the second son of Mr. and Mrs. K. T. Humphrys, "Maythorn," Hanson, was born at Burra October 10, 1893, and was within four days of his twenty-fourth birthday. He was educated at the Hanson School, afterwards assisting his father and elder brother on the farm up to the time he enlisted for service at the front in February, 1916. He left Australia on July 16 on board the s.s. Seang Bee, in the 3rd-50th Battalion, and arrived in England September 13, and was transferred to the 43rd Battalion at Salisbury Plains, then left for the firing line in France. After being in the trenches for some time, he received a badly sprained ankle during a midnight trench raid, and was sent to hospital for one month. Afterwards rejoining his battalion, he escaped without a scratch until about July 29, when he received a bad cut on the bottom of the foot from a barb wire spike. After being in hospital for about nine weeks his parents received a cable containing the sad news, though in the meantime they had reason to consider his condition not serious, for by his letters he thought he was going well and had been sent to the convalescent camp.

He had won a good conduct stripe for one year, and in a letter to his parents he said he hoped the war would be over before he would have a chance to win another stripe. He was an active member of the Methodist Church at Hanson and of the choir, and often assisted his mother at the church organ. He was also the Sabbath school librarian and assistant organist, and a local preacher of great promise, a member of the Rechabite Lodge and of the Farrell's Flat Rifle Club. The last-named presented him with a gold medal inscribed when he left for the front. He was widely known and highly esteemed for his upright arid manly character, and, being of a bright and kind disposition, he won many friends who are greatly grieved at the sad loss to the family of one of such great promise of usefulness and in the prime of life. His help was sought and willingly given to all religious and patriotic functions. He gave up a bright and prosperous future for his King and country, for the cause of righteousness, and for those whom he loved. The Farrell's Flat Sabbath School presented him with a beautifully inscribed Bible, and his friends at Hanson tendered him his farewell social on July 8, when he received many presents, including a wristlet watch. Pte. C. M. Humphrys was grandson of thie late Luke Tiddy, of Burra, and the late Jessy Humphrys, Hassage Park, Hanson. On Sunday, November 18, his in memoriam service was preached by the Rev. J. C. Jennison, assisted by the Rev. D. B. Bridgwood. A very large and greatly impressed congregation attended." - from the Burra Record 05 Dec 1917 (nla.gov.au)