WOOD, Clement Murray
| Service Number: | 141107 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 24 August 1943 |
| Last Rank: | Leading Aircraftman |
| Last Unit: | Not yet discovered |
| Born: | Booleroo Centre, South Australia, 24 July 1925 |
| Home Town: | Willowie, Mount Remarkable, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Willowie Primary School, South Australia |
| Occupation: | Shop Assistant |
| Died: | Natural Causes, Adelaide, South Australia , 13 August 2014, aged 89 years |
| Cemetery: | Not yet discovered |
| Memorials: | Willowie WW2 Roll of Honour |
World War 2 Service
| 24 Aug 1943: | Enlisted Adelaide | |
|---|---|---|
| 24 Aug 1943: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Leading Aircraftman, 141107 | |
| 20 Jun 1947: | Discharged |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Di Barrie
Clement Murray Wood was born at Booleroo Centre 24 July 1925, son of Francis Thomas and Emily Jane (nee Graham) Wood. Frank ran the “Tuckwell”store, initially as manager and eventually owner. Emily had previously been a teacher at the Hundred of Willowie school
Clem was working as a shop assistant in his father’s shop when he enlisted with the RAAF 24 August 1943, aged 18 years, and reported to Number 5 recruitment centre.
He applied for service as a flight mechanic, having detailed on his application of having motor bike experience. He was transferred to Melbourne to attend Number 1 School of Technical Training 2 months later.
In mid-January of 1944, he moved to 1 Engineering School based at the Melbourne Showgrounds, completing this course 22 April. 3 May 1944 he moved back to South Australia and billeted to Number 3 Air Observers School, at Port Pirie, and then 8 February 1945 he was posted to No. 1 Repair and Salvage unit. This unit was formed at Daly Waters in the Northern Territory in March of 1942, but in December of 1944 had returned to Sydney where they were based at Mt. Druitt.
11 May 1945 Clem embarked at Brisbane aboard the ‘Sea Spray’ for Morotai, where the unit was based, until 5 June when they embarked Morotai aboard the cargo ship SS ‘Simon Bamburger’ for Labuan, in North Borneo. 1 RSU Operations Record Book (Op Rec Book) reported the ship was overcrowded and an outbreak of dysentery occurred. Their first campsite was temporary as the Japanese were still occupying the area. 15 August the Op Rec Book records the announcement of the Japanese surrender. The war in the Pacific was over. All ranks were granted two days stand down leave. 10 October 1945 Clem was transferred to 77 Squadron – RAAF, which at that time were operating P-40N Kittyhawks. The squadron had arrived in Morotai in April 1945, having served in New Guinea since November 1943.
16 December 1945, Clem volunteered for service in the RAAF for the Japanese Occupation Forces and was posted to Number 81 Fighter Wing, based at Bofu, Japan – a former kamikaze base. 81 Squadron had, two months earlier, re-equipped with P-51D Mustangs. He returned to Australia 18 April 1947 and was discharged from the RAAF at Laverton 20 June 1947.
Clem married Jean Irene Chambers (nee Harvey) 27 July 1961. He was stepfather to Jean’s daughter from her previous marriage to Jack Chambers.
Clem died 13 August 2014, aged 89 years of age. He was cremated at Enfield Memorial Park but at the time of publication there is no details of where he was laid to rest.
Excerpt taken from book "Diggers From the Dust" (2018) Di Barrie and Andrew Barrie
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