Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Early Life

Clarence Roy McLaren was born on the 26th June 1893 at Ardrossan, South Australia, the son of Duncan McLaren and Elizabeth Ann Adams. He was known as Clarrie or Clarry.

His siblings were Fanny Elizabeth (1879), David Frances (Frank) 1880), Agnes Minnie (b & d 1882), George Coleman (1883-1902), Allen Bruce (1885), Howard Ross (1887-1888), James Ross (Ross 1888) and Herbert Glen (1895).

Schooling and Career

Clarrie attended the Gawler school where he passed the Junior Examinations (1907) in Arithmetic. In January 1908 he passed the Monitors Examination Class I and was appointed an Unpaid Monitor at Gawler for 1908.

He competed at the Gawler Literary Society Union annual competition in July 1908 winning the boys reading competition.

At Gawler he played Football, Tennis and Cricket and he was on one occasion awarded a medal for the most gentlemanly player of the Gawler South Junior Football team.

In December 1908 he passed the Pupil Teacher Entrance Examination. He then attended Adelaide High School where in December 1909 he passed Junior Examinations in English Literature, English History, Geography, Latin, Arithmetic, Algebra and Physics.

In March 1910 he was promoted from teaching First Grade to Second Grade.
He passed the Education Department School of Arts Examinations in First Grade (June 1909), Freehand Drawing (Nov1910), and in Intermediate Freehand (June 1911) Second Grade Plane Geometry (Sep 1911), Second Grade Model Drawing (Dec 1911).

In 1911 he passed Senior Examinations in Modern History, Geometry, Trigonometry and Drawing and Junior Examinations in Inorganic Chemistry and Drawing.

In 1912 he was promoted from teaching Third Grade to Fourth Grade at the Port Pirie School.

University

In 1913 Clarrie was studying at The University of Adelaide an in December 1913 he passed Education. In February 1914 he had completed the Teacher Training Course and was appointed an Assistant Teacher at the Wellington Road School.

Adelaide University records classified Clarrie as an Arts student, Education Department, Matriculated Student, passed in one subject.

World War I

Clarrie enlisted in South Australia on the 20 August 1914 with Service Number 263. He was a 21 year old School Teacher, with 3 years experience in the Senior Cadets and one year with the Adelaide University Rifle Club. He was 5’6”, 125 lbs, with a dark complexion, brown eyes and light brown hair.

Clarrie was with the 10th Infantry Battalion, AIF. His unit embarked from Adelaide, South Australia, on board Transport A11 Ascanius on 20 October 1914. The unit trained in Egypt before Clarrie left from Alexandria, Egypt on the Ionian on the 2nd March to join the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force.

After a time on the island of Lemnos he was part of the Gallipoli Landing. Having survived the landing and it’s aftermath Clarrie contracted a fever and was taken by hospital ship to Cairo, Egypt.

This period of Clarrie’s service was described in a letter to his mother.

""SIMPLY MARVELLOUS!"" Daily Herald (Adelaide, SA : 1910 - 1924) 29 June 1915: 6. Web. 2 Jun 2025 <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article134417106>

"SIMPLY .MARVELLOUS !"
NO OTHER TROOPS COULD HAVE DONE IT
GAWLER SOLDIER'S LETTER HOME.

Private Clarence R. McLaren, formerly of Gawler, who was wounded in the fighting on Gallipoli Peninsula, writes, under date May 24, from No. 2 General Hospital, 2nd Australian Imperial Expeditionary Force, to his mother as follows:-

At last I have an opportunity of writing a letter. I wrote a postcard last week, which I hope you received. Well, I have a good bit to tell you, for much has happened since I last wrote.

We left Egypt on March 1 and went to the Island of Lemnos; but we weren't allowed to say much in out letters while there. We stopped there eight weeks, and left on Saturday, April 24. Our brigade (3rd) was chosen to act, as the covering party, and so we were the first to land on Turkish territory. We landed about 4.45 on Sunday morning, just as it was getting light. We had to row some distance in the boats, and all the time we were rowing, of course; the Turks were shooting at us. Although the bullets whizzed past our ears and hit the water all round us, not one of us was I hit; but I was jolly glad when we got ashore. Our boat was half full of water and nearly sinking. When we got near the beach we all scrambled out into the water. I got wet nearly up to my neck and had all my biscuits and bread spoilt. Well, we waded ashore, and then ran across the beach and dropped behind some bushes. The bullets were dropping all round us: but, thank goodness, the Turks can't shoot straight. We took off our packs, and that's the last I've seen of mine. I lost all my kit, not to mention two tins of jam and a tin of condensed milk with which I thought I was going to have fine feed.

However, we didn't waste any time, and at once advanced, and pretty quickly too. Of course, every time we jumped up and ran forward the Turks fired for all they were worth; but when we got near them they retreated, and so we got on the first hill without losing a man kind. I'm only telling you about our own boatload—about 30 in all. At the foot of the hill we captured a Turk. He was hiding in a bush, and if we hadn't caught him he would have shot at us from behind, as some others were doing.

Once on top of the hill we still went on and came across a good number of dead and wounded Turks; also some of our own wounded. Well, mother. I won't tell you all we did and saw while I was on the peninsula, because I could write a book about it. We lost many, for the Turks had 10 and 20 to 1 against us. They were like a flock of sheep, but when the other troop began to land we were pretty safe. We dug trenches, and when we finished that we were right.

I can say this much that the Australian troops, and particularly our own brigade—because we had to bear the brunt of it—were simply marvelous.

Of course we haven't had a mail for a month.

No other troops in the world could have fought more bravely. It's a wonder to me how they held the enemy back. Our losses were the heaviest on the Sunday, and our officers suffered very severely. I was in the trenches until Wednesday midnight when we were relieved by some British troops. Most of our battalion were relieved before, but a few of us were mixed up with other battalions and had to stay in the trenches longer. We got on all right for food and water, but we were all too excited to eat much.

The worst of it was that we could not get any sleep at night because the Turks kept on attacking us, but we gave them such a hail of bullets that they didn't get very close. When they charge they shout out "Allah," "Allah," "Allah," and when our chaps charge I think they swear more than anything else. We rested Thursday and had a muster parade to see who were missing. Our platoon was luckier than most— out of 50 we had three killed, about eight missing, and about eight wounded; but very likely the missing are mixed up with other battalions.

On Friday I was taken ill. All Thursday night I was quite hot, although it was a cold-night. After dinner on Friday I had a bad attack of vomiting, and so I reported sick and was sent to hospital. That evening I was sent on to the hospital ship and we sailed for Alexandria. Alf also came on board later with a sprained ankle. From Alexandria we were sent down here to Cairo by a hospital train. When we arrived, we were brought out to the hospital in motor ambulances.

I got up yesterday for the first time, having been in bed over three weeks. I am still weak, but am feeling well and will be going back in three of four weeks' time. Ross came out to see me several times, but, as you know, he left over a week ago. Howard also came out several times. He had bad luck, his regiment has gone, and he is left behind. Alf soon got well and has been gone from here nearly a fortnight. I will send yon some picture postcards when I can get into Cairo. Well, mother, I must close. Don't worry now, because all the worst fighting is over. Give my love to all.

It is not clear who Alf and Howard are, but Ross is likely to be Clarrie’s brother Lance-Corporal James Ross (known as Ross) who served with the 9th Light Horse Regiment. Ross would have been in Egypt before leaving for Gallipoli on the 16th May 1915.

Clarrie was at the 2nd Australian General Hospital in Cairo. On returning to health he returned to the Gallipoli Campaign in July 1915. Allied forces withdrew from Anzac and Suvla between 15 and 20 December 1915 and Clarrie returned to Alexandria, Egypt.

He was made a Lance Corporal (21 September 1915), Corporal at Mudros (3 December 1915), Temporary Sergeant ( 17 December 1915). He was part of the front line defenses at the Canal (Suez) when he was promoted to Sergeant on the 1st March 1916.

Clarrie departed Egypt on the 27th March 1916 arriving at Marseilles on the 3rd April 1916 to join the British Expeditionary Force on the Western Front in Belgium.

Death

On 23 July 1916 the 10th Battalion participated in its first major operation on the Western Front when it attacked the French village of Pozieres. The village was captured under some of the heaviest shell-fire of the war and 10th Battalion suffered extremely heavy casualties during the operation.

"THE WAR." Bunyip (Gawler, SA : 1863 - 1954) 25 August 1916: 2. Web. 2 Jun 2025 <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article97738328>

Bunyip (Gawler, SA : 1863 - 1954), Friday 25 August 1916, page 2

Much sympathy is expressed with Mrs. D. McLaren, of Gawler Blocks, who received a cablegram from the Military authorities, on Friday, announcing the death of her son, Sergeant C. R. McLaren, of the 10th Battalion, who was killed in France on July 23. Sgt. Clarrie McLaren was well-known in Gawler, and was a general favourite. When war broke out he was amongst the first to enlist and left here with the first contingent. At the time he enlisted he was teaching in the State School at Wellington Square, North Adelaide, it being his first year out of the University. He was teaching at the Gawler School prior to going into the University. The late Sergeant took part in all manly sports, and received the medal given to the most gentlemanly player in the South Gawler second eleven football team. Whilst a resident of Gawler he was a member of the Gawler West Methodist Sunday School, and a regular attendant at that Church. Mrs. McLaren has two other sons now at the front.

"Letter from the Front." Australian Christian Commonwealth (SA : 1901 - 1940) 16 February 1917: 15. Web. 2 Jun 2025 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article214063047

A private in the 10th Battalion, writing from hospital in England to his father in this city, says:
“I will tell you something of our first 'stunt' at Pozieres, as far as I can remember, because there is such chaos and confusion during an action that you hardly know what is going on beside you. … On the night of the 23rd, at 10 o'clock, we set off for the line. My company was the last away; the others had moved on. … The one and a half miles to the support line took us five and a half hours to accomplish. … That morning one-half our section attempted to bomb Fritz out of a stronghold which was worrying our fellows. The other half of the company was ordered up to their support. Here Sergt. Clarry McLaren fell. …"

Clarrie was Killed in Action, France, 23 July 1916, aged 23 years. He has no known grave and is commemorated at the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, Villers-Bretonneux, Picardie, France and the Angle Vale Cemetery, South Australia (the burial site of his brother George McLaren who passed away in 1902.

"Family Notices" The Express and Telegraph (Adelaide, SA : 1867 - 1922) 23 July 1917: 3 (5 O'CLOCK EDITION.). Web. 2 Jun 2025 <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article209765159>

McLAREN.—Killed in action, at Pozieres,July 23, 1916, Sergeant C. R., dearly beloved son of D. and E. A. McLaren, of Gawler, brother of Lance-Corporal J. R., Driver A. B. and Private D. F. McLaren. So dearly loved, so sadly missed.
—Inserted by his loving parents.

McLAREN.—In sad but loving memory of Clarence Roy McLaren, Sergeant, D Company, 10th Battalion, killed in action, Pozieres, July23, 1916. "Duty nobly done."—Inserted by his loving brother, Private D. F. McLaren, Frome-
road Camp, Adelaide.

Brothers

Driver Allan Bruce McLaren (of Gawler), SN 11098, Driver, Third Divisional Train
recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=1951909

Lance-Corporal James Ross (Ross of Gawler), SN 161, Lance Corporal, 9th Light Horse Regiment
recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=1952022

David Frances (Frank) McLaren SERN DEPOT 10359
recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=1951952

Served within Australia in early 1917 for 3 months before being discharged as medically unfit.

"AUSTRALIAN SOLDIERS." The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1931) 26 November 1918: 8. Web. 2 Jun 2025 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article5608873
Mr. D. F. Frank McLAREN, a munition worker, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. D. McLaren, of Gawler South, died at the Southampton Hospital, England, after a short illness of Spanish influenza. Previous to enlisting he was engineer with the Sugar Refining Company at Fiji, where he spent four years. When the call went out he tried to enlist but was turned down for heart trouble. Nothing daunted, he journeyed to Sydney, but failed again. His third attempt was made in South Australia, but this time he was accepted and spent three months in camp. He was deeply chagrined to be placed on home service, and resigned as he felt that work was for the returned man. He offered as a munitions worker, and left Adelaide on November 3, 1917, and in England was engaged in a large factory near Ramsgate doing aeroplane work in a flying school, and later at Southampton for the same firm. The deceased was of a kind and cheerful disposition. His brother, Sergeant C. R. McLaren, was killed in the battle of Pozieres. Driver A. B. McLaren, of the 43rd Battalion, and Lance-Corporal J. R. McLaren, of the 9th Light Horse, are still on active service.

Cousins

Private Lionel Stanley McLaren (of Normanville), SN 3835 was born in 1897 at Broken Hill, NSW, to John and Caroline McLaren, His name is on the Yankalilla District Roll of Honour WW1.
recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=1952021

Driver Stanley Roy McLaren (of Forest Range), born 14 October 1892, son of William & Sarah Kite, 27th Infantry Battalion, AIF, SN 22349.
recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=1952043

Private Alexander James McLaren, SN 3867, 8th Infantry Battalion, Born Inglewood, Victoria, 17 December 1895, the son of William and Edith McLaren, of Boort, Victoria, Australia. He lived at Boort, Loddon, Victoria. He enlisted as Alec James McLaren and died of gunshot wounds in the chest and foot on October 14 1916 and is buried at the Lijssenthoek Military Cemetry, Belguim.
recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=1951918

Lieutenant J. H. McLaren (of South Africa) - Joseph Henry McLaren, the son of Donald McLaren and Emma Ward was born on 12 July 1975 at Armagh in the Clare Valley, South Australia. He served with the Wireless Section of the Royal Engineers and was in German East Africa in 1917.

Sister Tilly McLaren (of Western Australia) - Lily McLaren, daughter of Donald McLaren and Emma Ward, she was born on 17 August 1877 at Armagh in the Clare Valley, South Australia.. Prior to WWI she had been Matron at a number of country hospitals in Western Australia. She served overseas for 5 years with the Queen Alexandra Nursing Reserve. She was in France, Belgium and Italy. Before returning to Australia in January 1920 she was serving at a special military hospital in Birmingham, UK.

Sources

GenealogySA https://www.genealogysa.org.au
National Archives of Australia
recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=1951959
National Library of Australia Trove https://trove.nla.gov.au/
Articles tagged Clarence Roy McLaren, Lily McLaren, Henry Joseph McLaren

Author: EE (Beth) Filmer, Adelaide, South Australia