Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Percy Thomas Clapton was born 1/6/1898 at Bendigo.   He was the 8th child of 9 to Parents Charles Clapton born in 1851 in Oxfordshire England but arrived in Melbourn 1852 and Mary Elizabeth Shipp born in Bendigo.   Being one of the younger children of the Clapton clan, Percy had many family members to play with.    It would appear he went to school in the Bendigo/Golden Square area and became a drover before enlisting in the AIF.

Percy had cousins already enlisting in the war effort and was probably influenced by their departures.   Percy Enlisted on 3/6/1916 and Prior to leaving as reported in the Bendigodian newspaper Percy was given a send off by his parents and friends including refreshments and presented with a Wallet and other presents.    His parents were very proud of their son.

He initially started with the 59th battalion, however he was taken on strength to the 60th Battalion.   It was whilst fighting on 26/9/1917 he was wounded by a gunshot to the stomach.    News of this wounding was delivered to the family and it was reported in the Bendigodian Newspaper on 9/10/1917.    It must have been an awful time for his family not being able to see him with their own eyes to see he was ok.   

His 2nd wounding was also reported in the bendigodian and it wasnt long before Percy was dismissed from the army medicaly unfit on 4/10/1919.     

In 1921 Percy's father Charles died and he was listed as a labourer in the sensis records.  

Percy Met a young lady by the name of Rachel Daisy Towers who took his heart by storm and they were married at the Holy Trinity Church of England in Bendigo on 16th of June 1925.      

Rachel Disy Towers was the daughter of George Robert Towers and Hariet Wall Hatton of Bendigo.     

Percy met Rachel whilst working on the Railways at Bendigo and they made their home in Bendigo originally.

Percy and his wife "Daisy" as she was known had their first child a son George Thomas Clapton on 16/3/1926 at Bendigo and on 8/11/1927 they welcomed a daughter Betty Unice Clapton also born in Bendigo.

In 1936 the couple are listed as living at 33 Carlisle street in Preston where Percy worked as a Railway Employee later working for the PMG loading trains with Mail at Spencer Street Station.   

Their 3rd child Juanita Ann Clapton was born 21/1/1940 at the Royal Womens hospital in Carlton.  She was told by her mother as she was giving birth she heard the Men Marching to the sound of the beat of a band heading off to the 2nd world war.   "Daisy" never forgot the sound of that music and often said how much she hated the tune when she heard it being played by the band.

Juanita (Percy's youngest daughter) remembers her father being a very timid man,  he had a dislike for aeroplanes flying over, he often dived down and layed on the floor if he heard anything.   In her young life the 2nd world war had started and her father sometimes took her out to see aeroplane lights in the sky when Melbourne was in Black out.   She lived through a time when the family lived on Ration Books and can remember well that there was not much fresh food about.   She remembers her father being involved in some sort of Garrison work where he patrolled the streets with other men keeping a look out for anything untoward.   Her father loved listening to brass bands and if he heard a band he gravitated towards it and often drummed with his fingers to the beat.   As a consequence Little Juanita also loved a good brass band.   Percy her father made her feel very safe and often wrapped her in his large dark overcoat to keep her warm.   

Percy knew other men from his beloved 60th batallion including Mr. Potter, however they did not appear to have conversations or talk about the war, they just acknowledged each other and tipped their hats.   

Percy went to many ANZAC parades often Marching all the way up the street and falling out to walk the rest of the way with his family including his youngest daughter Juanita.   He often told Juanita on those ANZAC days about all the wonderful jobs that the other batallions did and how brave they were in the war.   His favorite colour was RED and WHITE - The colours of his war Patch.   He barracked for the Preston Bullants - their colours - Red and White!    

He often said a little ditty which was used in the war:   60th, 60th Rar Rar Rar, Caught in a Rat Trap, Traped in a Rat Trap, 60th, 60th Rar Rar Rar.   Juanita his daughter thought this was something that the batallion sang to the beat of their march?

Percy's Eldest Son George joined the Airforce in WW2 and served his country.   Percy's Elder Daughter Betty became a forelady in a boot factory after the call went out to women to help with businesses due to a lack of men in the area. Betty's husband also enlisted in the war being sent overseas.  Percy was very proud of his son, daughters and his son in laws for their service to the country.   He never forgot about his friends that did not come home.   His quite demena, obviously a part of the constant reminder of days gone by.   

Percy led a wonderful short life watching his children grow and develop into wonderful young people with young families of their own.   In the prime of his life Percy died on 1st of May, 1958 at St Vincents Hospital

He left behind a wife Rachel "Daisy" Clapton - nee Towers and son George Thomas Clapton, Daughter Betty Unice Goately (nee Clapton )and youngest daughter Juanita Ann Phillips (nee Clapton)   

Written by Leanne Phillips (Wife of Percy's Grandson Shane Phillips)

[email protected]