Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Clarence Herbert Duncan was born on the West Coast of South Australia as a twin brother to Harold Duncan. They had a total of 10 other siblings, although not all survived early childhood. The family had a farm, which Harold, Bill (William), and Mavis worked and lived on for the duration of their lives. At the time that Clarrie died, their father was in hospital in Streaky Bay, and one of his daughters was walking home from having visited him when she saw a light travelling across the water of the Bay and coming towards the shore. Soon after, the family received the news that Clarrie had been lost over in New Guinea. The family always believed that the light that was seen coming across the water to Streaky Bay was Clarrie coming home. His father died a few days later, and Clarrie's loss was felt forever more among the remaining family, particularly his twin Harold. 

Clarrie was in the 2/48th Regiment, which is Australia's highest decorated regiment of the 2nd World War. During one return back to Australian soil, family were able to see Clarrie for a short time and noted that the vibrant young man who had originally enlisted had clearly endured signnificant involvements that affected his physical and psychological wellbeing. He had clearly seen terrible things and was, naturally, affected by these. He was a young man whose life, if he'd never had to go to War, would never have participated in such experiences so their effects had impacts on his wellbeing in ways that probably did so for many others also - coming home and fitting in was difficult more difficult than being away which had become the new norm. 

Clarrie was killed when U.S. troops came over a hill and saw a Japanese tank that Clarrie was nearby to, and opened rapid fire upon all around the tank which included Uncle Clarrie. He was accidentally killed during this combat. 

Clarrie's family loved him entirely, and his family think of him and remember him with love to this day.

Commemorated at Streaky Bay Cemetery.