Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Claude Alexander Sherman SX10454.

Claude Alexander was the eldest child of Alexander and Elizabeth Sherman. With brother Bernie, and sisters Lil and Nel, the family lived at Wilkawatt in the Murray Mallee, South Australia.

Claude, a labourer, enlisted in November 1940 , and served in Syria, New Guinea and Borneo , as a member of the 2/27th , 2rd AIF .

A gunshot wound to his elbow occurred in December 1942, from which Claude recovered promptly, enabling him to re-join his unit.

His marriage to Shirley Elizabeth Gravestocks, a nurse, of Parrakie, took place in February, 1943.

First born Claudia arrived in December 1944 while Claude was serving overseas.

He was discharged in January 1946 after serving 801 days in Australia and 836 days outside.

Employment at J.W. Dawkins Newbold Stud, Gawler, was secured, until of a block of land in the Soldiers Settlement Scheme was allocated to him.

Claude and Shirley, with three daughters, Claudia, Marjorie and Nerida, travelled to the isolated Pleasant Park Settlement. An hour’s drive northeast of Mount Gambier, 9 settlers were greeted with no electricity, phones, school or roads, very little fencing or bores. However, a very closely bonded group formed, and was the basis of enduring comradeship, which served well in times of the many hardships.

Three more children were added to the Sherman family, Rosalie, Esta and Roger. Sadly Roger died in a single vehicular rollover in 1973, aged 18 ½ years.

Claude was successful wool and fat lamb grazier, retiring to Mount Gambier in his 60th year. He embraced bowls and supporting North Gambier Football Cub. He passed away in September 1998, aged 84, having suffered from ill health and poor vision for a number of years.

He is buried in the Carinya Garden Cemetery, Mount Gambier. His Official Memorial is in the South Australian Garden of Remembrance within Centennial Civil Cemetery, Adelaide.