The AIF Project

Clarence Roy THORSEN

Regimental number425
Place of birthKadina South Australia
ReligionSalvation Army
OccupationMiner
AddressKadina, South Australia
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation19
Next of kinMother, Mrs E Thorsen, Kadina, South Australia
Enlistment date17 June 1915
Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll9 June 1915
Rank on enlistmentDrummer
Unit name32nd Battalion, B Company
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/49/1
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Adelaide, South Australia, on board HMAT A2 Geelong on 18 November 1915
The 32nd Bn (Headquarters, Signallers, A, B, C, and D Companies) 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.
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from
The 32nd Bn (Headquarters, Signallers, A, B, C, and D Companies) 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.
Regimental number from Nominal RollCommissioned
Rank from Nominal RollLieutenant
Unit from Nominal Roll8th Light Trench Mortar Battery
FateReturned to Australia 8 May 1919
Medals

Military Medal

'During operations at POLYGON WOOD - East of YPRES - from 26th/30th September 1917, Sergeant THORSEN rendered most valuable service in establishing forward dumps for Stokes Shells under heavy enemy barrage fire. He organised and led ammunition parties carrying Stokes Shells to the forward Trench Mortar emplacements in the captured position, and there established dumps, and during the action maintained the supply of ammunition for the guns, enabling several counter attacks on the right flank to be repelled. On several occasions he safely led his carrying parties through heavy enemy barrages.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 31
Date: 7 March 1918

Date of death3 April 1971

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