Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Name: Clarence Roy Thorsen
Service Number: Lieut / 425
Place of Birth: Kadina
Date of Birth: 8 June 1896
Place of Enlistment: Keswick
Date of Enlistment: 9 June 1915
Age at Embarkation: 19
Marital status: Single
Next of Kin: Mother – Mrs Elizabeth Thorsen, Kadina
Occupation: Miner
Religion: Salvation Army
Rank: Drummer 32nd Battalion, B Company.
West Adelaide Football Club involvement:
Clarence played 7 games for WAFC in 1922. He made his debut on 6 May 1922.
Biographical details:
Clarence was the son of Thomas Thorsen and Elizabeth Templer. His unit embarked on two ships. The National Australian Archives war service record for C.R. Thorsen states, “The 32nd Battalion embarked from Adelaide, South Australia on two ships, HMAT A2 Geelong, on 18 November 1915, and HMAT A13 Katuna on 24 November 1915. The Embarkation Roll does not distinguish between these ships, and it is therefore not possible from the Embarkation Roll to ascertain on which ship an individual embarked.”
Clarence was absent from all parades on 20 December and had to forfeit 7 days’ pay. His unit was sent to France on 6 July 1916, with Clarence transferring to the 8th Light Trench Mortar 32nd Battalion on 25 July. He was again absent without leave on 7 and 8 August and fined a day’s pay. He attended Trench Mortar School in the field on 18 September. Clarence sustained a gunshot wound to the back and neck during action in France on 3 May 1917 and treated at the No.3 Casualty Clearing Station, and the General Hospital at Rouen, with his mother being advised on 19 May. He rejoined his unit from hospital on 8 July and was shortly after promoted to Staff Sergeant. He was then granted leave in Paris on 14 September. On 5 October he was selected to attend No.4 Officers Cadet Battalion.
On 31 October 1917 Clarence was awarded the Military Medal for “bravery in the field.” The award was published in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette Number 66 of 2 May 1918.
Two weeks after his return to France from leave, Clarence was seconded for duty from 32nd Battalion to the 8th Australian Light Trench Mortar on 24 May 1918. He returned to Australia on RTA Devantia on 7 March 1919 and was discharged on 12 August 1919. Clarence died on 3 April 1971.
Source: NAA; B2455; Thorsen C R; Barcode 8390557.