Z9211
BLEECHMORE, Clive
| Service Numbers: | Officer, WX33117 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 9 October 1914 |
| Last Rank: | Major |
| Last Unit: | 9th Light Horse Regiment |
| Born: | Upper Norwood, London, South East England, 4 June 1892 |
| Home Town: | Plympton, City of West Torrens, South Australia |
| Schooling: | University of Adelaide (medicine) |
| Occupation: | Agriculturist |
| Died: | 5 November 1981, aged 89 years, cause of death not yet discovered, place of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Bunbury General Cemetery, Bunbury, Western Australia |
| Memorials: | Adelaide Bennett & Fisher WW1 Roll of Honor, Adelaide University of Adelaide WW1 Honour Roll, Glenelg and District WW1 & WW2 Honour Board, Hackney St Peter's College Honour Board, Plympton District Roll of Honor |
World War 1 Service
| 9 Oct 1914: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Officer | |
|---|---|---|
| 12 Feb 1915: | Involvement AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 9th Light Horse Regiment, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '2' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Armadale embarkation_ship_number: A26 public_note: '' | |
| 12 Feb 1915: | Embarked AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 9th Light Horse Regiment, HMAT Armadale, Melbourne | |
| 11 Nov 1918: | Involvement AIF WW1, Major, 9th Light Horse Regiment |
World War 2 Service
| 1 Sep 1942: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Major, WX33117 |
|---|
Distinguished Service Order
'For bold, decisive action near Dumar on the 30th September 1918 whilst in charge of the vanguard. Having located a large column of enemy with transport moving NW along the Beirut road and not withstanding heavy enemy machine gun fire, he disposed his squadron so as to bring fire to bear so effectively that the road was soon blocked with the dead and the transports, thus enabling the complete surrender of the column, which ultimately took place. Again on the 2nd of October 1918 by bold leading after being ordered to seize Khan Ayash he succeeded in heading off the enemy just as they were mounting a machine gun in the Khan.'
Submitted 9 February 2016 by Daryl Jones
Biography
Son of Henry Stanley BLEECHMORE
Biography contributed by St Ignatius' College
Clive Bleechmore was born on 4 June 1892 in Upper Norwood, London, located in the southeast of England. His early life saw a move to Plympton, City of West Torrens in South Australia, where he began his medical studies at Adelaide University. He later found a job as an agriculturalist where he found ways to improve soil.
On 9 October 1914, Clive Bleechmore enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) at the age of 22 years and 4 months, as a Lieutenant. Bleechmore joined the 9th Light Horse Regiment, which, after a brief period of training, was prepared to be deployed to Gallipoli. It was here, after demonstrating leadership, that he was promoted to Captain.
Before heading overseas, Clive underwent extensive training at Australian camps such as Broadmeadows, near Melbourne. These camps prepared recruits for the tough realities of war, with drills, rifle training, bayonet practice, and physical fitness routines. The men learned the basics of trench warfare and mock battle exercises. This training shaped Clive before his deployment to Gallipoli.
After a long and arduous boat journey, Clive and other fellow soldiers arrived in Mena, Egypt, in early December 1914. Over a period of four and a half months, they underwent intensive training. Bleechmore arrived at Gallipoli on the 12th May.
The Battle of Gallipoli presented harsh challenges, not least due to the rugged terrain. The 9th LHR troops, positioned at Walker’s Ridge and Russell’s Top, endured constant sniper fire, artillery bombardments, and disease. During the Battle of the Nek, an ill-fated charge led to devastating casualties, with Bleechmore’s regiment suffering heavy losses. Despite this, he survived an assault on 10 May 1915, when Ottoman machine guns unleashed a massacre on his troops
After suffering from dysentery and bronchitis, Clive was evacuated to Malta aboard the hospital ship Devonia on 5 August 1915. Upon arrival, he was treated, along with other soldiers who had survived the brutal Gallipoli campaign. Later, Clive was transferred to the 3rd London General Hospital, where he battled conjunctivitis.
After some time recovering in hospital, Clive was taken on strength with 3rd Reserve Regiment at Heliopolis on 6 March 1916.
On 4 May 1916, Clive joined the 3rd Light Horse Regiment. He was sent to hospital sick in September 1916 in Moascar and was diagnosed with influenza. He was transferred between different hospitals and sent to rest camp in Pt Said in mid-November. Later that month he was moved to the school of instruction in Zeitloun
In 1917, Bleechmore was promoted to the rank of Major while commanding a squadron. This was a significant recognition of his leadership and capabilities. Later, in 1918, Clive was reassigned as Second-in-Command of the 9th Light Horse.
Clive Bleechmore finally returned home to Australia on 2 October 1919, marking the end of his overseas service. After completing the necessary administrative processes, he was officially discharged from the Australian Imperial Force.
Life after the war was challenging for many soldiers, as they grappled with physical and emotional scars from their service. Clive was awarded several medals in recognition of his service, including the 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal, and the Victory Medal. In 1921, he was honoured with the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) for his bold actions near Dumar on 30 September. Bleechmore also volunteered for service in World War II, where he served as Major (WX33117) in the Australian Military Forces. Clive passed away on 5 November 1981 at the age of 89, and his ashes were placed at Bunbury Crematorium in Western Australia.
Bibliography:
4/6/1892 - 9/10/1914 - Life Before the War
Virtual War Memorial
9/10/1914 - Enlistment
HTAA (The History Teachers' Association of Australia)
Enlistment statistics, First World War | Australian War Memorial
3/12/1914 - Training in Egypt
Kangaroos by the Pyramids | Australian War Memorial
Training in the desert, Mena | Australian War Memorial
5/8/1915 - Landing on Gallipoli
Gallipoli Campaign | Britannica
Who's Who - The Gallipoli Association
Gallipoli campaign - Wikipedia
19/8/1916 - Transferred to 5th Division Artillery
Understanding the Artillery Division and Military Education - Total Military Insight
1920 – 5/11/1981 - Life after the war
First World War soldiers: life after the Armistice | HistoryExtra
General Sources:
NAA_ItemNumber3092499 (2).pdf (service record)
9th Australian Light Horse Regiment | Australian War Memorial
BLEECHMORE, Clive DSO - Anzac Heroes
HMAT A10 Karoo - Our Contribution
Click images to start slideshow.