Geoffrey James CLARKE

CLARKE, Geoffrey James

Service Number: N130769
Enlisted: 12 August 1940, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales
Last Rank: Private
Last Unit: 58/59 (amalgamated) Infantry Battalion AMF
Born: Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia, 18 February 1916
Home Town: Wagga Wagga, New South Wales
Schooling: Wagga Wagga Public School, New South Wales, Australia
Occupation: Hairdresser
Died: Killed in Action, Bougainville, Solomon Islands, Pacific Islands, 6 June 1945, aged 29 years
Cemetery: Port Moresby (Bomana) War Cemetery, Papua New Guinea
Plot C1, Row b, Grave 17 Roll of Honour Wagga Wagga
Memorials: Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Wagga Wagga Cenotaph
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World War 2 Service

3 Sep 1939: Involvement Private, N130769
12 Aug 1940: Enlisted Wagga Wagga, New South Wales
12 Aug 1940: Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, N130769, 58/59 (amalgamated) Infantry Battalion AMF
6 Jun 1945: Wounded Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, N130769, 58/59 (amalgamated) Infantry Battalion AMF, Bougainville, Killed in Action - Private Geoffrey Clarke was killed while attacking a Japanese position on the banks of the Hari River, Bougainville. He was buried at Mamagota Junction beneath a temporary cross and reburied at Port Moresby War Cemetery on 27 August 1945

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Biography

58/59 Bzttalion

Rank - Private

Son of James and Margaret Winnifred Clarke, of Wagga Wagga, New South Wales

Biography contributed by Ant McLean

Geoffrey "George" James Clarke

On 6 June 1945 Private George Clarke was killed while attacking a Japanese position on the banks of the Hari River, on Bougainville.

George was a Militia soldier from Wagga Wagga and had been a hairdresser before he was called up.

He was buried at Mamagota Junction beneath a temporary cross made from bush timber and the lid of a biscuit tin. His mates were not even sure how to spell his name.

George Clarke was reburied in Port Moresby War Cemetery on 27 August 1945.

The cross and biscuit tin grave marker made by George's mates is now on display inside the  Australian War Memorial in Canberra.

Geoffrey James Clarke was just one of 1,219 Australians killed in the  island campaigns.

Courtesy Australia War Memorial 

 

 

   

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