Clarence Clifford Hunt

Rank: Private

Service Number: 2364

Units Served: 12th Battalion

Personal Details: Clarence Clifford Hunt was born on the 13th of November 1893 at Curramulka, South Australia. He had a fair complexion, blue eyes and brown hair. He weighed 166lbs and was 5’ 9 ½” tall. Clarence was the 4th of 5 children and the 3rd son of Thomas and Elizabeth Hunt. He never married and was a farmer before the war. He classified himself as a Methodist.
Enlistment Details: He enlisted on the 22nd of March 1915 in Adelaide and was posted to the 7th Reinforcement of the 12th Battalion as a private at the age of 21.

Details about his role in War: He embarked from Adelaide aboard the H.M.A.T ‘Kanowna’ on the 23rd of June 1915. He was admitted to hospital in Egypt with Influenza on the 15th of September 1915 and was discharged to duty at Zeitoun two days later. On the 19th of September 1915 he joined the M.E.F ex Zeitoun 8th Reinforcements, and was taken on strength in the 12th Battalion in Gallipoli on the 28th of September 1915. Clarence was charged with manslaughter on the 26th of October 1915 but was found Not Guilty. In October 1915 he caught dysentery and was transferred to Malta, where he also caught tonsilitus. He was transferred again to Egypt and was almost sent home due to his condition. He re-joined the unit in Serapeum on the 18th of March 1916 and joined the B.E.F where he disembarked aboard the ‘Corsican’, arriving in Marseilles, France where he fought until his death. The month that he died, his Battalion captured the significant town of Pozieres. Clarence died of wounds on the 27th of July 1916.

Age at Death: 22

Cemetery or Memorial Details: Puchevillers British Cemetery, France.

Interesting Material: Clarence was charged with manslaughter in late 1915 due to an incident with a comrade. Essentially, Clarence had pointed a gun at this man, believing it was not loaded. He was found Not Guilty. His younger brother, Ivan Cecil Hunt, also went to war, however Ivan died from illness in Sri Lanka. On Clarence’s mother’s headstone is a small acknowledgement to the brothers, as they both lie overseas.