CLUNES, Reginald

CLUNES, Reginald – A Southern Downs Veteran

CONFLICT : WWI
SERVICE NO : 2494
RANK : Private
UNIT : 56th Battalion
ENLISTMENT DATE : 6/05/1915
AGE : 22
PLACE OF ENLISTMENT : Liverpool, New South Wales
PLACE OF BIRTH : Dalveen, Queensland
RELIGION : Church of England
OCCUPATION : Labourer
DATE OF DEATH : 20/02/1987
PLACE OF BURIAL : Mt Thompson, Queensland

MEMORIALS : Dalveen WWI Honour Boards, Stanthorpe Soldiers Memorial Rolls of Honor

View Veteran’s Service File : CLUNES, Reginald

NOTES :

Reginald 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.

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 Clunes 21198 on October 19, 1915.

An article in the Warwick Examiner and Times in July 1915 reported:
FOR THE FRONT. Dalveen is adding to her quota of those volunteering for active service. Mr. Reg. Clunes, son of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Clunes, of Gordon Bush, has already left, for the front by the Orsova; whilst … Congratulations to all these young men.

Reginald and Margaret Elsie Turnbull married on November 15, 1919 and the couple lived at Fairfield in Brisbane where Reginald worked as a carpenter.

On September 30 1941, Reginald once again joined the Australian Defence Force during the Second World War. He served on the home front and was discharged on October 19, 1945.

Read about Southern Downs Military History here.