Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Early Life

Tennyson George Clarke, the patriotic World War I veteran, was born in the town of Norwood, Adelaide, South Australia in 1895. He lived at 40 George Street, Norwood with his Mother, Mrs L.M Clarke. His marital status was single and he had no children. His occupation was a student but he had also worked at Eyes & Crowle for 3 years.(1) Eyes & Crowle was a motor engineering company located in Pire Street, Adelaide CBD.(2) Before departing for war, Tennyson had experienced previous Military service. He served for 5 years in Senior Cadets- 2 years in old scheme and 3 years under Compulsory Military Training scheme.(3) Senior Cadets consisted of Australian boys aged 14-18 years old.(4)

Physical Description

Tennyson had a dark complexion, blue eyes and black hair. He weighed 134 lbs (60.8kg) and had a chest measurement of 34 inches (86.4cm). He was quite short, measuring at 5 foot 4 inches (164.6cm).(1) According to the pictures of Tennyson on the RSL Virtual War Memorial Website, he had a few distinguishing features including his distinct philtrum (groove in the middle area of the upper lip), his very thin lips and his receded hairline.(5) These distinct features made him the unique man that he was.

Enlistment

During 1914, when official recruitment for the Australian Expeditionary Force commenced, many Australian men were rushing to enlist. This was because of the propaganda, the extra money, the adventure, the act of being a man/hero, to fight for their people, be proud of themselves and of course, to be patriotic. Being only 19 years and 4 months old, Tennyson was enlisted on 20 August 1914 at Morphettville, Adelaide, South Australia. He was given the service number, 183, and the rank, sergeant.(1) He was assigned to the 10th Infantry Battalion and gave the role of next of kin to his Mother, Mrs L.M Clarke.(3) During his enlistment, Tennyson was examined for medical purposes. He did not have any medical diseases/conditions, he could see the required distance with both eyes, he had healthy lungs, a healthy heart and the free use of all his joints and limbs. As he passed all the medical tests, he was considered fit for active service.(1) Before Tennyson’s embarkation, he was given a rate per diem of 10 shillings and 0 pence.(6)

World War I Service

With mixed feelings of nervousness and excitement, Tennyson boarded the ship, HMAT Ascanius A11 which was filled with his battalion (the 10th Infantry Battalion).(1) The ship embarked from Outer Harbour, South Australia on 20 August 1914 at 4.30pm with a total amount of 1004 people.(7)

On 25 August 1914, the ship arrived at Fremantle, Western Australia. On 31 August 1914, the 11th Infantry Battalion boarded the ship. The ship then departed Fremantle, bound to sail to Egypt.(7)

On 6 December 1914, the ship arrived at Alexandria, Egypt where Tennyson and his battalion were then sent into camp at Mena, near Cairo. The battalion underwent desert training in January and February 1915.(7) Tennyson’s daily rate excluding deferred pay (after embarkation) was 8 shillings and 6 pence.(6)

On 24 April 1915, Tennyson and his Battalion embarked for Gallipoli. At approximately 4.30am on 25 April 1915, the 10th Battalion was one of the first units to come ashore at Anzac Cove. The Battalion was heavily involved in establishing and defending the front line of the ANZAC position and served there until the evacuation in December 1915.(7) On 4 August 1915, during the Gallipoli Campaign, Tennyson was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant.(8)

After the withdrawal from Gallipoli, Tennyson and his battalion returned to Egypt.(7) In Ismailia, Egypt, Tennyson was promoted to Lieutenant. Shortly, on 26 February 1916, he was transferred to the 50th Infantry Battalion.(8) Approximately half of the battalion’s recruits were soldiers who were previously in the 10th Infantry Battalion, the other half were fresh reinforcements from Australia. The Battalion became part of the 13th Brigade of the 4th Australian Division and was named "Hurcombe's Hungry Half Hundred", by its first CO, Lieutenant Colonel Frederick Hurcombe.(9)

On 1 April 1916, in Serapeum, Egypt, Tennyson was promoted to Captain.(8)

After arriving in France on 11 June 1916, Tennyson and his battalion fought in their first major battle at Mouquet Farm between 13-15 August 1916.(9) Unfortunately, the battalion suffered heavily, however, Tennyson was still unwounded.(1) The battalion took part in another assault launched there on 3 September 1916. They then saw out the rest of the year alternating between front-line duty, and training/labouring behind the line. This routine continued through the miserable winter of 1916-'17.(9)

Early in 1917, the battalion participated in the advance that followed the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and attacked at Noreuil on 2 April 1917. Later that year, the focus of AIF operations moved to the Ypres sector in Belgium. There the battalion was involved in the battle of Messines between 7 and 12 June.(9) In this battle, Tennyson was wounded. On 8 June 1917, he had severe gunshot wounds on his right arm and left leg. On 12 June 1917, Tennyson was admitted to the 3rd London General Hospital.(1)

The German Army launched a major offensive on the Western Front at the end of March 1918. Tennyson and his division (the 4th division) were arranged to defend positions south of the River Ancre in France. At Dernancourt, France, on 5 April, the 50th Battalion assisted in the repulse of the largest German attack mounted against Australian troops during the war. The German threat persisted through April, and on 25 April 1918, Tennyson and his battalion participated in the legendary attack to dislodge the enemy from Villers-Bretonneux.(9)

On 8 August 1918, Tennyson and his battalion joined the final Allied offensive of the war around Amiens and continued fighting until 18 September when they fought their last battle of the war against the Hindenburg "Outpost Line", forming the divisional reserve.(9)

As the war ended, it was time for Tennyson to return back to Adelaide. He embarked U.K on January 1920, on the ship HMS Mantua.(1)

Tennyson’s date of termination of appointment was 1 March 1920.(1)

Honours and Awards

On 20 October 1916, Tennyson was awarded the Military Cross. He was awarded this cross ‘for conspicuous gallantry in action. He made most valuable reconnaissances obtaining most important information. Later, he conducted several units to the front trenches under very heavy fire, displaying great courage and determination.' Tennyson was awarded and promulgated 2 mentions in the 'London Gazette' No. 31089 (31 December 1918) and No. 31448 (11 July 1919). He was also awarded and promulgated 2 mentions in the 'Commonwealth Gazette,' No. 61 (23 May 1919) and No. 124 (30 October 1919).(3)

His Anzac Spirit

Based off of evidence from the sources, I can draw conclusions that Tennyson George Clarke was a very patriotic, courageous, genuine young man, enlisting himself to fight for his country and people. All of these remarkable qualities really show his strong ANZAC spirit.

He was very brave and was awarded a Military Cross for his great courage and determination, as well as many mentions in despatches.(3) He fought in 4 different countries, showing his ANZAC spirit and momentous courage. He had also fought in the well-known Gallipoli campaign alongside many other ANZACs.(1)

The ANZAC Experience

Tennyson was an ANZAC. ANZACs or Australian New Zealand Army Corps, enlisted themselves because of the adventure, to see the world, propaganda, to be a hero, patriotism, the money, mateship and many other reasons.

Gallipoli was the first real war experience for Tennyson and the Anzacs. They were excited for an adventure and to serve their country, little did they know how horrific it was going to be. By the battle’s end, they had experienced things they could not have, nor would have wanted to imagine.(10)

At Gallipoli, Tennyson and the Anzac's had to struggle with the environment, establishing their “homes” in rugged cliffs and on narrow unprotected beaches. They experienced extreme weather. It was not uncommon for the summer heat to reach 40 degrees. Winds along the Gallipoli Peninsula were strong. As the weather turned the Anzacs had to endure rain and snow and the resulting mud and flooding of their trenches.(10)

Receiving supplies of all kinds was always a concern, as they had to be shipped in. Water was scarce and strictly rationed. Their diets consisted mostly of bully beef, hard biscuits, jam and tea. Lack of sanitation in the heat caused a prolific outbreak of disease. Men suffered from dysentery, gastroenteritis, typhoid fever, pneumonia and cholera.(10) Fortunately, Tennyson did not experience any of these diseases.(1)

Amongst this experience, many Anzacs, including Tennyson kept their Anzac spirit. They built a reputation for being honest and brave fighters. Bonds were formed between them as they built reliance on each other.

Death

According to the RSL Virtual War Memorial Website, Tennyson died on 3 June 1985 from natural causes. His grave is currently at Centennial Park Cemetery located in Pasadena, Adelaide, South Australia.(8)

Footnotes

1. National Archives of Australia, NAA: B2455, CLARKE Tennyson George, https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Gallery151/dist/JGalleryViewer.aspx?B=1970191&S=1&N=38&R=0#/SearchNRetrieve/NAAMedia/ShowImage.aspx?B=1970191&T=P&S=5

2. Trove National Library of Australia, EYES & CROWLE LIMITED PIRIE STREET, https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/59132337

3. The AIF Project, Tennyson George CLARKE, https://www.aif.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=54542

 4. State Library of South Australia, Children and World War 1: Cadets, http://guides.slsa.sa.gov.au/c.php?g=410371&p=2794665

5. RSL Virtual War Memorial, Pictures of CLARKE, Tennyson George, https://rslvirtualwarmemorial.org.au/explore/people/66614

6. Australian War Memorial, FIRST WORLD WAR EMBARKATION ROLL, Tennyson George Clarke, https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R1897343

7. AWM- Unit Diaries, AWM4 Subclass 23/27 - 10th Infantry Battalion, https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C1339170

8. RSL Virtual War Memorial, CLARKE, Tennyson George, https://rslvirtualwarmemorial.org.au/explore/people/66614

9. AWM- Unit Diaries, AWM4 Subclass 23/67 - 50th Infantry Battalion, https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C1339165

10. The Anzacs of Gallipoli, What did they experience at Gallipoli? https://www.anzacsofgallipoli.com/what-did-they-experience-at-gallipoli.html