Strahan, Clarence Edgar (2735)
Place of Birth: Croydon, VIC
Age: 19 years 6 months
Enlistment Details: Thursday, 27 April 1916 – Melbourne, VIC
Service Number: 2735 view online service record
Address:
447 City Road
South Melbourne, VIC
Next of Kin:
Richard Strahan (father)
447 City Road
South Melbourne, VIC
Embarkation Details:
Date: Monday, 2 October 1916
Ship: HMAT Nestor A71
Port: Melbourne, VIC
Unit: 57th Infantry Battalion – 6th Reinforcements
Fate:
KIA: Saturday, 12 May 1917
Place: France
NOK address at Embarkation: 100 Bay Street, Port Melbourne.
Private, 57 Infantry, killed in action 12 May, 1917, France, aged 20, commemorated London Cemetery and Extension, Longueval, Picardie, France.
Parents: Richard and Mrs Nellie STRAHAN, born Croydon. He enlisted as a 19-year-old driver with his address shown as South Melbourne with father at 447 City Road, South Melbourne. Brother: 1308, Pte David Richard STRAHAN, returned to Australia, 24 January 1920, father’s address on embarkation 100 Bay Street, one other brother, three sisters. Death Notices placed by friends suggest he was alternatively known as “Curly” or “Poss”.
Additional research by Brian Membrey
2 Comments
Brian Membrey
“On May 12th., ’17 we were in the Hindenburg line in front of the Bullecourt, and Strahan was in a “T” shape trench with six others when a shell exploded killing six of the seven. Strahan was killed instantly, killed by concussion. I buried him alongside the trench and noticed there was not a mark on his body. I also placed a rifle over the grave, but should say it would be almost impossible to trace now. He came over with the 6th reinf. of 57th Battn. and as we were in the same platoon, I knew him quite well by sight” Description : Height 5ft 6″, dark complexion, curly hair, freckled face. Age 21/22, great runner” (Wyeth, Cpl. W.G., 2844, 57th Battn., “A’ Coy)
Brian Membrey
STRAHAN. — A tribute to the memory of our friend, Private Clarence (Poss) Strahan of Port Melbourne, late of Croydon, killed in action in France on 12th May,
His King and country called him
The call was not in vain.
On Port Melbourne’s roll of honor
You’ll find our hero’s name
— Inserted by Mrs. J. Bishop and family, Lilydale.
STRAHAN -Killed in action on 12th May somewhere in France, Private C. E. Strahan (Curly) of 100 Bay Street, Port Melbourne.
What peaceful hours we once enjoyed
How sweet your memory still.
But you have left an aching void
The world can never fill.
— Inserted by his loving friends, Mr. and Mrs A Crawshaw.