Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Clarrie was the only son of Robert Hurtle Palmer and Laura Palmer of Koolunga. He was married to Doris Violet (nee Lawry). Clarrie and Doris had 4 children and at the time of his enlistment their ages were: Lyall Robert 17 years, Ronda Vera 15 years, Jesse Eileen  12 years and Gwenda Doris 11 years old.

Before his enlistment Clarrie had spent 12 years employed as a grader operator and road contractor with several years employment with the Redhill District Council. Perhaps it was an advertisement in the Advertiser that was the incentive for Clarrie to make an application for service as a grader operator in the Royal Australian Air Force. His application was lodged on 27th May 1942. Having been preselected for service Clarrie was requested to attend a final interview and medical examination at No.5 Recruiting Centre in King William Street. Issued with a return rail warrant and carrying the required references he attended the interview on 9th June 1942. The following day Clarrie enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force Reserve. It would have been very disappointing for Clarrie to be informed that he was considered unsuitable as a power grader operator due to his inexperience. Obviously the grading equipment used by Clarrie in the Koolunga district was not of the type utilised by the air force. With his application to be a power grader operator rejected Clarrie was requested to report, with his luggage,  to the RAAF Recruiting Centre for enlistment as a Trainee Group 5 on 21st July 1942. At 38 years of age Clarrie enlisted in the RAAF and with the rank of Aircraftman1 was mustered as a Trainee Group V. He was posted to 4 School of Technical Training, Adelaide, where he undertook trade testing. Judged suitable for further training Clarrie was posted to 1 Recruit Depot at Shepparton, Victoria. Having been judged suitable to be trained as a Drill Instructor Clarrie attended No.40 Drill Instructors Course from 4th October to the 11th November 1942. Clarrie passed the course scoring 67% for weaponry, drill and fieldcraft, 54% for law and 69% for administration. The following day Clarrie was promoted to Corporal.

On 15th November 1942 Clarrie, now a Drill Instructor,  was posted to No.1 Initial Training School at Somers, Victoria for 6 days. Here, on the south eastern corner of the Mornington Peninsula, aircrew students were inducted into the RAAF and trained in many topics including mathematics, navigation, law and administration, signals, medical, physical training, science, armament, gas defence and hygiene.

 On 21st November 1942 Clarrie was posted to the staff of 7 School of Technical Training at Geelong, Victoria. This would be Clarrie’s posting for the next 29 months. The headquarters of 7STT were in the Victoria Hotel, Malop Street, Geelong. The building was also used for staff accommodation and as the officers and sergeant’s mess. Dormitories for the trainees were located at the Albert Coffee Palace and Ashly Hall.

Clarrie was granted his first 4 day home leave from 4th January 1943 to 7th January with 2 days travel time on the 3rd and 9th. His second home leave was 5 months later from 31st May to 2nd June. On his return from that leave he was promoted to Acting Sergeant but a month later reverted to his previous rank of Corporal. On August 1st 1943 Clarrie was promoted to Temporary Sergeant, a rank he would retain for the remainder of his service.

PALMER: On August 10 at Koolunga.

Laura, beloved wife of Robert Palmer,

and loving mother of Edna (Mrs.R.Chivell,

Whyalla) and Clarrie (RAAF). Age 73 years 

Clarrie was immediately granted leave, albeit 4 days, to attend his mother’s funeral at Koolunga and over the next 19 months would be granted 7 more 4 day home leave with 2 days travel time.

Clarrie’s only son Lyall, who had now turned 18, enlisted in the RAAF on 21st December 1943.

In January 1945 7STT moved to a nearby site at North Shore, Victoria. With the defeat of Nazi Germany imminent and the Japanese being pushed back to their homeland, Clarrie was transferred to a new posting on the staff of 4 School of Technical Training in Adelaide.  On 4th July 1945 he applied for discharge and this was recommended. In preparation for discharge Clarrie was posted to 4 Personnel Discharge Station in Adelaide on 23 July 1945 and was finally discharged on 1st August.