Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Charles Clark was born 21 Sep 1905, Pontipool, Wales. I am not sure when he arrived in Australia but in 1942 he was living at Wooroolin when he enlisted in the Australian Army. His next of kin is shown as Hilda Ahern, friend, Memerambi. This is the “Mrs Ahern - Mrs Carmody” of the Memerambi Grocery Store that I wrote a story about on Kinga~all a year ago.
At enlistment Charles was sent to Boggabilla, NSW for training then back to Warwick, QLS where he completed a Stretcher Bearers Course. It seems he was transferred to many Services but by Oct 1943 he was assigned to the Australian Army Canteen Service (AACS) and spent much of his time in the Northern Territory.
An article in The West Australian 3 Oct 1940 reported on Army Canteens and Camp Social Services. Here is a small extract: “One of the busiest institutions connected with military life in Australia is the Defence Canteens Service, which provides amenities for the fighting forces in camp in Australia, on troopships and in camps overseas. Established in December, 1939, the Canteens Service has replaced the operation of camp canteens by civil contractors. The service controls all trading in the camps, but has sub-let certain rights such as the taking of photographs, the sale of newspapers and the conducting of barbers' shops. All personnel employed in the canteens service are enlisted men, the majority of whom are soldiers of the last war.”
Charles was discharged from the AACS (NT) on 18 Apr 1946 at Redbank and returned to the South Burnett. From at least 1954 to 1960 he lived at the “Wondai Hotel” then at McCord St Wondai.
Charles died in 1987 and is buried at Wondai Cemetery. His death record does not include the names of his parents but he does have a headstone and his Army records are available on the NAA website.
Lest We Forget