Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Clyde was born in Balaklava on the 20th April in 1904, (although he suggested 1906 when he enlisted) to Clara and Arthur Vivian. He had a sister, Gladys.
The family lived in Owen, initially known as sheep and cattle country and on the Adelaide to Balaklava rail line. There the family was well ensconced in town life with Clara being a driving force in local entertainment, including catering and organising dances like the popular Bachelor’s Ball in the 1930’s which Clyde’s sister, Gladys also attended.
Post school, Clyde became a motor mechanic, marrying Doris Mary Vivian in the1920’s with the young couple living in Adelaide. In April ’30 26-year-old Clyde signed up for three years’ service in the Militia as number 302327 serving with the 48th Battalion. Unfortunately, the marriage floundered with Clyde moving to live at Nairne in the Adelaide Hills.
By the time WWII erupted, Clyde and Doris were living separate lives but remained married. It was an unsettling time, exacerbated by Clyde having to appear in Court in April ‘40 for failing to give way to a vehicle on his right. He was fined £2 with £1 costs. These events also probably contributed to Clyde deciding to enlist on the 29th June, 1940. He claimed to be 34 instead of 36, to enhance his chances of being accepted. He was given the number SX7219 and was allocated to the newly formed 2/48th Battalion. Initially Clyde gave Doris as his next of kin, but as he stated that her where-abouts was ‘unknown’, the army required more definitive information. Consequently, he nominated his mother, Clara in this role.
Clyde had less than a week at Wayville housed in the Motor Pavilion of what is now the Royal Adelaide Showgrounds where his ‘bed’ was straw filled hessian on wooden pallets. He and his fellow enlistees were later given kitbags on which their names were stencilled. Unfortunately, Clyde was sent to Kapara Convalescent Home to recuperate before he was able to rejoin the other new enlistees.
Following pre-embarkation leave, the enlistees then embarked on the Stratheden for the Middle East, in November, arriving on the 17th December. Unfortunately, soon after arriving, several of the battalion contracted mumps in February, including Clyde, causing him to be isolated in hospital for several weeks.
Clyde’s background as a mechanic was a particularly useful skill resulting in him being quickly graded as a Group III Driver – Mechanic in March ’41.
By September the following year, he received his first fine of 5/- for non-attendance at a Parade, but in that respect generally complied with army requirements. His skills were in constant demand over the following months, until he was able to return to Australia via Melbourne in February ’43.
Clyde exuberantly celebrated his return but then had to face two months of treatment before then training in Queensland to prepare to face a very different enemy in the humidity of New Guinea. He left Cairns, arriving in Milne Bay in August ’43. Unfortunately, carrying heavy equipment and his occupation as a mechanic contributed to on-going muscular and joint pain and inflammation in his back, called lumbar sacral fibrositis. This impacted on Clyde’s ability to carry out his regular tasks, resulting in him being put on restricted duties. He eventually returned to Australia three months later in November ’43. Back in Queensland, Clyde’s frustration was evident in the ongoing charges he accumulated for initially being absent without leave, which then escalated to ‘neglect to the prejudice of good order and military discipline’ with the inevitable series of fines and being confined to barracks. At this time his estranged wife, Doris Mary applied for and was granted a divorce, on the grounds of desertion in 1938. Clyde was still serving with the armed forces in Queensland when this legality was implemented in Adelaide.
Clyde relinquished his dual Group III Driver Mechanic status to a Group II Motor Vehicle Mechanic, his civilian-life status, then ultimately received his discharge on the 17th September ’45.
He married Alice Elizabeth, who had three children, John, Nolan and Grace. Sadly, aged just 57, Alice died in hospital in September 51. He placed a poignant tribute to her in the Advertiser. ‘VIVIAN.—On September 8, at hospital, Alice Elizabeth, dearly beloved wife of Clyde Herbert Vivian, of 338 Goodwood road, Clarence Park, and loving mother of John, Nolan and Grace. Aged 57 years. Peacefully sleeping.’
Clyde’s mother lived to see him return home from the war. She died at Owen the following year on the 25th August 1952. Again, a tribute was placed in the Advertiser. ‘VIVIAN.— On August 25. at the Hamley Bridge Memorial Hospital. Clara, beloved wife of Arthur Vivian, loving mother of Clyde and Gladys, and loving grandmother of Kevin, Brian and John. Aged 73 years.’
These two deaths severely affected Clyde who continued to work as a mechanic, but he overlooked paying his tax returns for two years. He fronted the Adelaide Police Court where he was fined a hefty £30 with £I costs for failure to lodge returns in the previous two years.
In retirement, Clyde lived at Noarlunga. Listed as being aged 71, he died on the 14th September 1979 and was buried in Centennial Park Cemetery.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.