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War Memorial
Australia

Cleve was the youngest son of Robert and Clara Hedwig Bertha Windebank. He was part of a large family including, Olga Love, Ivy Grace, Rex Ferdinand, Faith Ruby, Paris Claude, Donald Clyde, Mavis Cora and Laurie Norman Price. Robert’s parents were among the early pioneers of South Australia, and he grew up at Hamilton, an agricultural area in the Mount Lofty ranges near Kapunda on the Adelaide to Burra road, where he was a mixed farmer. For 13 years he was also the clerk of the District Council of Hamilton and the Pound Keeper. Cleve was born in this town on the 7th November 1914. While the family was living at Hamilton, Cleve’s older sisters wrote to the Daily Herald column for children, headed by ‘Remus’. In one missive in September ‘15, Faith described fund raising efforts for those who were wounded during the Great War. She also described Australia day celebrations where her father drove her, Glory, Alice Paris, Myra, and two other brothers to a combined school event where the children ‘had to march up and salute the flag’. Sporting events followed before a concert and dance followed. She added “The proceeds amounted to £370. Don't you think Hamilton and Marrabel did well for such small townships?” Then shared that “The wattle trees and almond trees are coming out in blossom, which looks beautiful.”
The family then moved to Morgan where his father was again involved mixed farming. With Cleve aged four, in 1919 the family made a further move to Clarendon, in the picturesque southern Adelaide Hills, known for their quality crops and market gardens. This is where Cleve spent most of his formative years, becoming involved in the local Methodist Church and attending the small semi-rural school.
Cleve had just turned 19 when his 76-year-old father died on the 11th January ’34 in the Adelaide Hospital. Three years later, Cleve’s youngest sister, Mavis married Laurie Corbett who chose Cleve to be his best man. Their mother took on the traditional role and walked Mavis down the church aisle. By that time also, Cleve was making his mark as a talented and reliable defensive footballer. In media reports he was lauded for his timely saves in the last line of defence and his clear judgement in then directing the ball to his forward lines. In his last season for Kangarilla in the 1940 Grand Final against Milang, he was praised for shining in defence and contributing to his team’s 5th Premiership.
War then intervened. Aged 25, Cleve enlisted on the 13th July ’40 becoming SX8850 in the 2/48th Battalion. A Millicent man, Gerald Bellinger also 25, enlisted on the same day as SX8878. They were two of a group of many local young men who had headed to Adelaide to undergo medicals and await their call to go into camp. Their early days were spent in the cold of the Pavilions, now part of the Royal Adelaide Showgrounds, before the new enlistees headed to Woodside for their preliminary training.
Following pre-embarkation leave Cleve and his fellow 2/48th Battalion, boarded the Stratheden for the Middle East, on the 7th November 1940 and disembarked on the 17th December. His 2/48th Battalion completed a few months training in Cyrenaica before going to Tobruk at the start of April 1941 where the dust, flies, heat, minimal water supplies and constant bombardment were quite a challenge to these fresh new enlistees. Cleve was to become one of the now famed Rats of Tobruk in a battalion which was to be highly regarded and decorated. Unfortunately, whilst in the Middle East Cleve contracted an inflammation of the bile duct and soon after, hepatitis but eventually recovered.
Early in February ’42 Cleve spent time in the 9th Infantry Special group before then returning to the 2/48th. In July that year his Battalion was in conflict for the strategic Point 69. John Glenn in Tobruk to Tarakan described how ‘Considerable enemy activity had been noticed on a spur between two wadis well forward of Post S25.’ Orders were given for the mortars to engage. ‘Sergeant Harry Heath and Corporal Bet Polkinghorne moved forward to the Wadi Sehel and selected the position for the observation post and the mortar placement. Privates Carroll and Windebank carried an 81 mm Italian mortar in during the night and were ready by dawn. The first round was right on target and soon the area was obliterated.’ By October that year, probably his poor diet or the heavy lifting of the equipment he had undertaken, contributed to him developing a painful hematoma but within a week was able to return to his battalion.
Cleve was finally able to depart the Middle East, arriving back in Australia via Melbourne. Following leave back home, he then travelled to Queensland to train for jungle warfare, against a totally different enemy and in very different conditions. Inevitably, he contracted malaria but recovered to be sent to New Guinea. An arm laceration in April of ’45 was treated before he was again able to re-join his battalion and heading to Tarakan. With the war still being fought, Cleve learnt of the death of his 74-year-old mother in June that year at his sister’s home in Dulwich. Clara was buried with Robert in the Clarendon and Kangarilla Cemetery. Promoted to Sergeant, Cleve soon after gained his discharge in November that year having served and survived 1957 days of warfare.
Cleve and Patricia Mahoney, of Millicent announced their engagement in October ’47. In December Pat’s friends organised a pre-wedding gift evening where presents, dancing and games were enjoyed by the couple. Peace soon brought with it many weddings. Cleve and Pat married in January ’48 at St. Alphonsus Church, Millicent on January 5, at 2.30 p.m. with Cleve choosing Gerald Windebank as his best man. Gerald had enlisted with Cleve, and both survived the war. Laurence, Cleve’s brother was groomsman. The newlyweds held their reception at Atwell's cafe, before being entertained at the home of the bride's parents.
Post war, Cleve joined the RSL at Millicent. 1946, being the 28th anniversary of the armistice that ended WWI 1914-18 was observed throughout the Empire as "Remembrance Day," in honor of those whose lives had been lost in both wars. At Millicent commemorating services were held in all churches on Sunday, while the public observance of Remembrance Day was organised by the local sub-branch of the returned soldiers' league. At 11 a.m. many ex-soldiers, including Cleve, assembled at the Cross of Sacrifice in the memorial gardens, placing wreaths at the base of the cross. It was a time to remember those in his battalion who had become close friends but not returned home.
Pat and Cleve welcomed their first daughter, Judy in March ’49. They later had a second daughter Ann and Patricia quickly became involved in the local community and the girls’ education. This included being Secretary of the Mothers and Babies, President of the Convent Welfare Club and Vice President of the Social Committee for St. Alphonsus' Church. In ’54, as President of the latter, Patricia was instrumental in organising a miniature Debutant Ball in the St. Alphonsus Hall. Little Ann was one of two small flower girls to present posies to the past and new presidents. Both Cleve and Patricia were passionate about their golf playing and were quite successful in this sport. In 1950, Cleve was one who scored less that par and also won the B Grade Competition.
Aged 67, Cleve died on the 10th February ’82. He was buried in the Millicent Cemetery. He had never collected his war medals and it was not until after his death that his wife and daughter, Judy applied in July ’91 to receive these and Cleve’s war record. At that stage, Judy was researching her father’s role in the 2/48th for a school project. The 1939/45 Star, African Star, Pacific Star, Defence Medal, War Medal and Australian Service Medal eventually were forwarded to the family.
Aged 88, Patricia died 2013 and is interred with Cleve.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.