CLUNES, Gordon

CLUNES, Gordon – A Southern Downs Veteran

CONFLICT : WWI
SERVICE NO : 21198
RANK : Gunner
UNIT : 7th Field Artillery Brigade
ENLISTMENT DATE : 19/10/1915
AGE : 23
PLACE OF ENLISTMENT : Toowoomba, Queensland
PLACE OF BIRTH : Dalveen, Queensland
RELIGION : Church of England
OCCUPATION : Labourer / Engine Driver
DATE OF DEATH : 19/01/1968
PLACE OF BURIAL : Plaque Queensland Garden of Remembrance

MEMORIALS : Dalveen WWI Honour Boards, Stanthorpe Soldiers Memorial Rolls of Honor, Swan Creek 2021 World War 1 1914-1918 Honour Board, Warwick St Mark’s Anglican Church Honour Roll

View Veteran’s Service File : CLUNES, Gordon

NOTES :

Gordon Clunes was born in Dalveen and was one of four boys and four girls born to William and Maria Clunes of Dalveen. Amongst the earliest settlers to the district, the family lived at their property Gordon Bush. All of the children attended the Dalveen State School.

Gordon’s brother Reginald Clunes 2494 was the first of the Clunes brothers to enlist on May 6, 1915. Next was Sydney Clunes 2243 who enlisted on September 2, 1915 followed by Gordon 21198 on October 19, 1915.

The Daily Mail published the following report on March 5, 1917: Mr. W. Clunes, of Dalveen, has been advised by the military authorities that his son, Gunner Gordon Clunes, was admitted to the Lakenbam Military Hospital on 10th ultimo, suffering from gunshot wounds in the arm and thigh.

Thankfully all three of the Clunes brothers returned to Australia at the conclusion of the First World War. The Warwick Daily News reported on the Welcome to Dalveen Returned Soldiers on May 16 1919 where each returned man was presented with a gold pendant on behalf of the people of Dalveen and district.

Gordon and Gladys Jessie Boyce married in 1931 and the couple lived at Ascot in Brisbane. Gordon worked at the Customs House in Brisbane.

Read about Southern Downs Military History here.