Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Clarence Glynn Tonkin Reg. No. 4404 was the son of Jane Tonkin of Hallett Avenue Magill, South Australia. He was born in Hindmarsh South Australia. His occupation was stated as Pumper, he had served an apprenticeship in Adelaide. He enlisted into the 32nd Infantry Battalion in 1916. For some reason his enlistment details were not completed, and were completed and signed at sea. He sailed from Adelaide on HMAT Afric A19 on 7th of November 1916, bound for Plymouth, England. He was admitted to hospital on board ship due to sickness. He was then transferred to shore hospital at Devonport for the same reason. On 5th April 1917 he was attached to the 8th Infantry Battalion in France. On the 3rd May 1918 he was wounded in action in France. He was severely gassed, and after being taken to the military hospital at Rouen, he was the evacuated to England, to the Duston military hospital near Northampton. After treatment he was transferred to Salisbury Plain to rejoin his unit. In March 1919 he boarded the S.S. Orca for the return voyage to Adelaide. The ship arrived on 23rd September 1919 and anchored for 7 days off the South Australian coast. This was required as a quarantine precaution. The troops were then loaded onto a tug boat for transfer to shore, and the Orca then continued on to Melbourne.
Clarence Glynn Tonkin was discharged after having served 2 years 242 days in the army; 2 years 150 days were served overseas.

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www.naa.gov.au/