SKELLY, Clyde
| Service Number: | N243493 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 18 September 1941, Crookwell, NSW |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 3 Infantry Battalion AMF |
| Born: | Crookwell, NSW, 18 February 1913 |
| Home Town: | Laggan, Upper Lachlan Shire, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Wool Presser, Potatoe Digger |
| Died: | Killed in Action, Papua, 8 November 1942, aged 29 years |
| Cemetery: |
Port Moresby (Bomana) War Cemetery, Papua New Guinea B8 A 1 |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Crookwell War Memorial, Kokoda Track Memorial Rose Garden, Laggan Memorial Tablet |
World War 2 Service
| 3 Sep 1939: | Involvement Private, N243493 | |
|---|---|---|
| 18 Sep 1941: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, N243493, 3 Infantry Battalion AMF, Crookwell, NSW |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Faithe Jones
Son of Francis and Mary Ann Elizabeth Skelly, of Laggan, New South Wales.
HIS DUTY NOBLY DONE
CLYDE SKELLY
The second son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Skelly to die on active service, Clyde, was killed in action in New Guinea early on Sunday morning, November 8th. Like his brother, Bert, whose death on October 18th has already been recorded in this journal, Clyde was an enthusiastic sportsman, and for many years competed successfully in tennis, cricket and hockey, being always regarded as a clean and fair player.
The eldest enna of a family of eleven Clyde early learned the discipline associated with the task of assisting to rear younger brothers and sisters, acquiring in consequence an extraordinary degree of unselfishness which he steadily maintained even throughout his army career. Known as a man of industry and agreeableness, he was constantly in demand for seasonal employment, and was widely respected by the many who utilised his services.
Joining the Laggan Branch of the Holy Name Society at its inception in 1934, Clyde was au exemplary member, and discharged with great fidelity and personal credit the duties of Prefect. It was therefore fitting that when, death claimed him on the Papuan battlefield, he should receive the last rites of the church he had served so well, and be buried by a chaplain, Father Glover, whom he had well known during the latter's curacy in Crookwell during the year 1932.
In a letter just received by the ''bereaved parents,' the platoon commander said : "Clyde died exactly as did Bert 20 days earlier, doing his duty bravely to the end. He was operating a machine gun. We did not expect the enemy to attack until an hour after dawn, but he came two hours earlier. Clyde was killed instantaneously. He was buried with the full rites of his church just where he fell, and so passes with his brother Bert, two men of whom we were very proud, and mourned by every member of the battalion."
The post-war civic life of the district will be impoverished by the loss of heroic lads like Clyde, whose service and sacrifice even imto death entitle them to rank with pride of place among the noblest benefactors of humanity.