Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Clarence attended the Yahl Public School. After leaving school he worked on farms in the area, having a natural ability for riding and shooting. On the 8th of July 1939 at the age of 18 years, Clarence Lyall Kilsby enlisted into the Light Horse. Immediately, he was a Trooper Class A and attached to No. 1 Troop, B Squadron, 3rd Light Horse Regiment Mt Gambier. He signed up for 3 years. Trooper Kilsby attended camps at Mt Gambier Racecourse, normally for a 2 week duration and received 6 pounds for each camp plus a horse allowance.
On the outbreak of the 2nd World War, the light horse was disbanded, and Trooper Kilsby went into the C.M.F (from 18th Feb 41 to 23rd Aug 42). During this time, he completed his motorcycle course on an Ariel motorcycle, with the course taking two weeks. His service records show he had commenced fulltime war service from the 18th of Dec 1941.
On the 7th of July 1942 Clarence joined the 2nd A.I.F. and was posted to 2/1 Aust Dock Operating Coy, Australian Army Transport Corps and completed training throughout Australia, including time at No 3 Australian Army Motor Training Regiment.
On the 6th of July 1943, Private Clarence Lyall Kilsby departed Australia for Port Moresby, New Guinea, on overseas active service arriving on the 15th of July 1943. Private Kilsby was employed as an A/TG3 Stevedore at Port Moresby. Returning to Australia after all most 1 year, he arrived in Brisbane on the 1st of July 1944 and was granted recreation leave, in order to return to Kalangadoo to be married to Maude on July 19th, 1944.
After more training and reequipping Private Kilsby again left Australia, this time as part of General McCarther’s push to take back the Philippines. As noted on his service records this operation was referred to as ‘Island Hopping’. Private Kilsby arrived firstly in Hollandia on the 23rd of Jan 1945, where Australian troops were tasked to secure and repair ports and airstrips in advance of the U.S. arrivals.
Private Kilsby left Hollandia on the 23rd of Feb 1945, arriving at Morotai on the 7th of March 1945. Whilst in Morotai he had a short two week stay in the 2/5 Australian General Hospital with a leg injury. He left Morotai on the 10th of July 1945 and arrived in Borneo on the 20th of October 1945 remaining there for 3 months, until the 22nd of January 1946.
Private Clarence Lyall Kilsby returned to Australia and was transferred to Hampstead SA and honourably discharged on February 5th, 1946.
Private Kilsby had completed 1511 days active fulltime war service, of which, 734 days were spent overseas. An outstanding commitment to Australia as a solider.
Private Clarence Lyall Kilsby was awarded the following medals:
1939-1945 Star
1969=1945 War Medal
Pacific Star
Australian Service Medal
The medals are proudly worn today by his son, Gary Kilsby.
After the war, Clarence and Maude purchased a dairy farm at Glencoe East and had two children, Gary and Jennifer. Clarence was a very active member of the Glencoe RSL Sub Branch, marching in the ANZAC Day parade for many years in Adelaide.
In 1956 Clarence and Maude came to Lowan, Kalangadoo where they farmed prime livestock. Clarence was a keen member of the bowls club taking on leading roles and sitting on the committee.
Clarence was highly regarded as a farmer and was a kind hearted man who would help anyone. Clarence Lyall Kilsby passed away at the tender age of 53 years in September 1974 at Lowan. Clarence now lies at rest in the Mount Gambier Cemetery.