Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Clarence Moss Ward was one of the six surviving children of William James Hurtle Ward and Martha Ross. He was born on 24 February 1912 at Terowie where his father was a check porter with the South Australian Railways. Clarrie’s siblings were Herbert Cuthbert 1893, Winifred Mary 1894 died at 5 months, Ina Mary 1896, Doris Lilah 1898, Reginald George 1902, Alma Dulcie 1910, and Edwin 1914 who died at birth.

Clarrie’s formative years were spent in Terowie where he attended the local school until just prior to his intermediate examinations. His mother Martha died in 1920 when Clarrie was just eight years old and his father William, in 1928, when Clarrie was sixteen. It is most likely that Clarrie joined the South Australian Railways as a porter shortly after his father’s death.

23 year old Clarrie married 21 year old Audrey Millicent Jacobs at the Methodist Church in Brompton on 14 December 1935. Their first child, Graham John, was born at New Mile End on 1 November 1939 and a daughter, Helen Raelene, was born on 29 December 1944.

With the outbreak of World War Two the Australian Government utilised manufacturing plants in three states to produce Bristol Beaufort Bombers for the RAAF. In Adelaide the General Motors Holden plant at Woodville and the Islington Railway Workshops were chosen. For the duration of the war the GMH plant at Woodville produced 9,590,000 pressed parts supplied as 1,694,000 sub-assemblies and 25,670 main assemblies together with 910 fuel tanks. Clarrie would have been one of the original workers employed by GMH with whom he worked for eighteen months before his enlistment.

“I am at present employed at Holdens Woodvile as a Clerk in the Beaufort Schedule Control Office, which entails various duties including cart noting out and receiving parts. I served 11 years in the SA Rlys as a Porter, and in that position I had a vast amount of invoicing and receiving of goods and also Clerical experience.”

When applying for enlistment Clarrie  was required to supply references.

Mr. Clarence Moss Ward, who is desirous of joining the R.A.A.F. has been in the employ of this company since 17th April 1941. He is at present employed as a Beaufort Schedule Clerk and carries out his duties in a reliable and efficient manner.

Yours faithfully,

GENERAL MOTORS – HOLDENS LIMITED A.M. LEMON

STAFF PAYMASTER

I have known Mr. Clarence Moss Ward for the last few years, and have always found him to be thoroughly honest and trustworthy, courteous and respectful. He has always been neat and accurate in his work, and demeanour, His character is unimpeachable and he has always lived a clean Christian life.

I have no hesitation in recommending him to any person, and will gladly personally vouch for Mr. Ward’s character.

K.J.MOFFAT

12th November, 1942

This is to certify that I have known Mr. C. Ward for the last seven years and always found him courteous and obliging in all undertakings and one that I am proud to call a friend and visit my family. He is of sober habits and generally considered a steady living man.

H.V. BARRETT

24 East Avenue,

YORK

Clarrie enlisted in the Air Force at 5 Recruit Centre Adelaide on 25 November 1942 and was immediately mustered as a Clerk Stores. The same day he was transferred to 1 Recruit Depot in Shepparton, Victoria. On 31 December Clarrie was posted to 4 Initial Training School at Mt. Bracken, Victor Harbour as a clerk. This posting would last for nearly two years until he was posted to 4 Personnel Depot at Springbank on 7 December 1944. Audrey had moved to Victor Harbour during this time to be with her husband.

The move to 4 Personnel Depot was a prelude to a transfer to Headquarters Eastern Area in Sydney where he arrived on 29 January 1945.

COMMENDATION -No. 121677, CPL. WARD C.M., CLERK STORES

1.      The abovementioned N.C.O. was attached for duty to Air Support Sections forming at STRATPINE, Q’LAND. For duty in forward areas. The Air Support Section had no equipment or accounting personnel on establishment and it was the responsibility of CPL. WARD, with the assistance of an equipment assistant, to place demands for equipment required and ensure that correct accounting procedure was followed.

2.      A report has been received from the supervising Accounting Officer in the following terms:-

“The work completed is a credit to the N.C.O. in charge, No. 121677, CPL. WARD C.M., and whilst his mustering is that of Clerk Stores he has also shown undoubted ability as a Clerk Accounts.”.

(SGD)   K.E. CAMPBELL  W/CDR.

for Air Commodore,

AIR OFFICER COMMANDING EASTERN AREA.

On 28 March 1945 Clarrie was transferred to 1 Personnel Depot at Ransford, Melbourne Cricket Ground. At home life was becoming increasingly difficult for Audrey and her two young children, and so Clarrie began the difficult task of applying for a transfer back to South Australia on compassionate  grounds.

12/10/45

APPLICATION FOR COMPASSIONATE POSTING

I wish to make a further application for a compassionate posting to Adelaide on Medical Grounds of my wife and two children as supported by medical certificate from Dr. Rice of Adelaide.

Since submitting my last application, my wife was advised by Dr. Shipway of Victor Harbour, to move out of Victor, because of chest trouble of my son who was constantly having attacks of Bronchitis.

My wife moved to Adelaide, but since they have been living there both the kiddies have been under medical care and the youngest child aged nine months is now to be placed in the hands of Dr. Bateman of North Terrace to ascertain her trouble, as the treatment she has been having has had no results. As stated in certificate from Dr. Rice my son has had a chronic skin disease, which has necessitated his staying away from school for the last six weeks or so.

This worry on top of all the worry my wife had while living at Victor Harbour is not giving my wife the opportunity of regaining her health, as she has been in poor health for a considerable period.

I might add that we have a Dr. and Hospital account still outstanding from Victor Harbour, and the still mounting medical expenses in Adelaide is causing my wife a terrible lot of worry and I feel that if I were posted nearer home I could share the responsibility with my wife and allow her to regain her health.

I might also add that with the continual worry of my family while I am away cannot concentrate on my work as I should, as of late there is a feeling of continual unrest and dissatisfaction in me, and if I were posted to Adelaide I could perform my duties more efficiently and at the same time relieve my wife of most of the responsibility which is normally carried by the husband.

Trusting this application will receive the utmost consideration.

5/10/45

                                                                                                   Dr. J. D. RICE

                                                                                                   LISTER HOUSE

NORTH TERRACE ADELAIDE

I have attended Mrs. C. M. Ward and two children who have been sick for some months. One child has eczema and the other a chronic skin disease. In my opinion Mrs Ward’s health would be improved by having her husband at home to help her.

J.D.Rice  MB BS

9/11/45

Mrs A. M. Ward, wife of applicant, residing at 114 Frederick Street, WELLSAND, S.A. , when interviewed, stated that since her husband’s enlistment, owing to the housing shortage, she has been forced to live in two rooms with her two children, aged 6 years and 10 months, respectively. Further, that both children were in illhealth. Graham, her eldest child, is suffering a chronic skin disease, and Helen, the youngest child, suffers elergic eczema. In addition to this, she herself has been for some months under treatment by Doctor J. RICE for Neurasthenia, a highly nervous state brought about by the constant worry and responsibility of the two children and the fact that there is no one to whom she can call upon for practical assistance. Mrs. Ward added that she has had the promise  of a Trust Home on her husband’s return to his home State.

Mrs. M. JACOBS (widow) aged 76 years, residing at PORT PIRIE, S.A., mother of Mrs. Ward, is in ill health. Mrs. Ward’s only sister, Mrs P. HARRIS of 4 North Street, HENLEY BEACH, S.A., has a small family of her own. She has no brothers.  Applicant’s parents are deceased. He has two brothers and three sisters, all married and residing in South Australia, having families of their won to care for.

Doctor J. RICE of TORRENSVILLE, when contacted, confirmed statements made by Mrs. A. M. Ward with reference to her own and her children’s present state of health. He added that he considered it essential for the well being of their future health and welfare that Cpl. Ward be posted near home.

H. G. Smith

Flight Lieutenant

ASSISTANT PROVOST MARSHAL

Clarrie was successful in his application and on 12 December 1945 was posted to 14 Stores Unit, Adelaide so he could be with his wife and children.

Clarrie was discharged  on 26 August 1946.