Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Son of Oliver Courtland BARBERIE and Florence Amelia BARBERIE nee FLOOD

Clive Barberie was born in 1899 and was later joined by two siblings, a sister and a brother, to Oliver Courtland Clive and Florence Amelia Flood, as part of a family that contributed heavily to their community, organizing music festivals [1] and the construction of a church [2]. Arriving at Sydney Technical College in 1917 [3] from Hurlstone Agricultural High School, He worked diligently and achieved high academic results[4]. At the age of 18, he likely lied about his age to fight in the war, as due to many discrepancies in the records[5], we can likely deduce he was underage, a demonstration of great patriotic fervor reflective of the times. He allowed the disruption of his studies to enlist in the war as part of the 53rd battalion after training in Glasgow and a short transfer period in France[5]. After the war, he began a successful company. He taught youth as a part-time job before retiring at an old age from teaching and delegating the responsibilities of his company. He died in 1974 at the age of 90.[6]

Clive’s life started in 1899, and he was born to the parents Oliver Courtland Clive and Florence Amelia Flood, and was later joined by two siblings. As part of a respectable family, Clive participated in music festivals and held a remarkable talent as a drummer, with a newspaper claiming his performance was “heartily applauded”[2]. His aunt was also an integral part of the community and organised the construction of the Parish church and fundraised part of the money[2]. He also transferred to Sydney Tech, an exemplary selective school in the area, and demonstrated an aptitude for learning, achieving one of the highest marks in the school before he enlisted in the army in 1917.[4]

Due to the war, his studies were interrupted, and he enlisted despite being underage, reflecting the patriotic fevour in young men at the time. His training began at a “showground camp, Sydney”(A showground camp is a temporary military lodging) [8]on the 2nd of August 1917. It ended in January 1918, and he was admitted on strength to the 53rd Battalion on 23rd January. 

His first battle was a pursuit of the German forces and the subsequent defence of the ground captured at Villers-Bretonnex[7], in which he was wounded by a gunshot to the leg[8]. He received treatment from April and was discharged early May[8], returning to the frontlines just in time to participate in the battle of Polygon Wood[7], where his battalion displayed exemplary results, achieving their objective and taking Ypres, Belgium. Despite this, he was concussed near the end of the Battle due to enemy fire and was admitted to a hospital, and when released, sent back to base depot temporarily[8]. He continued on with battles in the Battle of St.Quentin and the Hundred Days’ offensive[7] until the end of the war, except during leave granted due to . After this, he returned to France to assist with the cleanup and was promoted to Lance Corporal and later to Temporary Sergeant. [8]Soon, he reverted to Lance corporal and was granted leave in June, July, and August. He returned to Australia on October 25 and was discharged in December. 

Within 4 years, he married a young woman called Oliver Adams and later had 4 children: Joyce Charmion, Lorna, Robert, and Alma Barberie. Tragically, one of his children died at the age of 6, another personal hardship upon the misfortune and sacrifice that was the war. Despite this, Clive maintained a successful and long life, engaging in a fruit company and teaching, moving on after the war.

[1]http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article115924434

[2] http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article140398894

[3] Jpeg 1.

[4] Jpeg 2.

[5] Official document on Clive. Military records. Details

[6] Barberie Clive. doxc

[7] Advanced Search | Australian War Memorial (Search 53rd battalion after the update, and it should show you the battles.)

[8] View digital copy. This convenient source holds wound records as well as promotions.