Hero Clarence North

Service Number 1914

Unit: 5^th Australian Pioneer Battalion

Hero Clarence (Clarrie) was a Great uncle of Garry North, a friend of mine who was the Principal of Lobethal Primary School. Hero was born in Colton (near Elliston) on July 23^rd  1895 . He was the grandson of George Tramountanas, the first Greek settler in South Australia.  George changed his last name to ‘North’ because when he came to Australia he was made fun of due to his last name. Tramountanas: meaning North Star.  Hero was a single 20 year old labourer when he enlisted in Adelaide on March 15th 1916. He was assigned to the 2nd Reinforcements of the 5th Pioneer battalion.  He sailed on the HMAS Aeneas on April 11th 1916, arriving in Egypt on the 15th May to commence training. During his time in Egypt he was charged at Zagazig with being on a railway without a ticket and without having a pass. He was given 7 days Guard duty as a consequence. 

 On 21st June he left Egypt on board the "Ivernia" arriving Marseilles, France on the 29th. From here they travelled to inland France by train where he began fighting in the Battle of the Somme.

On the 4th November 1916 near Guedecourt, he received gunshot wounds to the chest and was immediately rushed to Heilly Hospital, and died the next day of wounds, on November 5th.  He was buried at the Heilly Station Cemetery, Mericourt-L’Abbe, in France