Just Another Pair Of Socks

Melton District ANZACS

David Purdie CLEMENT

Personal

Born: 16 February, 1893

Birthplace: Ochiltree, Ayrshire (1901 census Scotland)Ayr, Scotland (Service Record)

Parents: James Clement, Jane Purdie married 16/12/1884 Ochiltree.
1893 record state that James is a coal miner.
1901 Scotland Census:
James Clement 38, Jane Clement 38, Mary 13, Elspeth 11, Robert 9, Davis 8, Sarah 6, James 4, Jessie 3.
Address: Laigh Ely Mains Col, Ochiltree, Ayreshire

Died: 19 May, 1915

Cause: Killed In Action

Place of death: Gallipoli, Turkey

Burial place: Shrapnel Valley Cemetery, Gallipoli Peninsula, Canakkale Province, Turkey

Awards and Honours

  • 1914-1915 Star
  • British War Medal 1914-20
  • Victory Medal
  • 1914-1918 Memorial Plaque

Battalions

14th Battalion, 3rd Reinforcement

Events

Enlistment

Regimental Service Number: 1579 previously 1513

Enlistment date: 20 October, 1914 Melbourne

Age at enlistment: 21 years 9 months

Address at enlistment: Diggers Rest

Religion: Presbyterian

Marital Status: Single

Next of kin: James Clement, Redkiln, Mauchline, Ayrshire, Scotland  06/03/1920 Aisla View, Hollybush, Ayrshire

Physical Description: Height: 5 feet 6 inches
Weight: 11 stone 6 pounds
Complexion: Ruddy
Eyes: Dark Grey
Hair: Dark Brown
Photos available in newspapers, the Australasian, 17 July 1915 page 33 and the Brighton Southern Cross.

Embarkation ship: HMAT A54 Runic.

Rank: Private

War Service Summary

David Purdie Clement would have been in the first waves of soldiers at Gallipoli. There is little in his Service Record, but he was killed within 3 months of his embarkation, and a little over 3 weeks after the Gallipoli landing on 25th April, 1915.  

War Service Commemerated

Killed in action.

Date: 19 May, 1915

19/05/1915 Gallipoli "Killed at Courtneys Post during the first night of counter attack to recapture a section of trench taken by the Turks. Shortly after that, Lance Corporal Albert Jacka won the V.C. for retaking and holding the trench." From David Johnstone, Musings from a Stonehead, Theres a broken battered body on the wire, November 9, 2008 19/12/1919    Father had received none of his personal effects or pay book, but they are recorded as being shipped to him via SS Dongarra. Effects are: 1 brown paper parcel containing wallet, cards, letters  Buried at Military Burial Ground, Monash Valley, Dardenelles Shrapnel Gully- about 400 yards S.E. of Anzac Cove AWM details: Shrapnel Valley Cemetery, Gallipoli Peninsula, Canakkale Province, Turkey Plot IV, row A, grave 2

Additional Information

06/05/192 UK Outward Passenger Lists show David Clement, farm labourer departing for Melbourne aboard Kaikoura (NZ Shipping Line)
20/06/1912  Argus: Kaikoura arrives in Melbourne, passengers include 200 farm workers  Why is David Purdie Clement recognised at Brighton, and how is he related to the Orford family?

Davids will shows that N.L.Orford holds £20 for him. The Orford family is associated with Brighton. Norman Leslie Orford is the proprietor of the Brighton Southern Cross in 1919, a paper his father owned.
Norman Leslie married Jane Cavanagh who was born in Scotland.
Janes father, John Cavanagh lived all his life in Scotland. Her mother is Helen Gibson McAughtrie (1839-1860). Her aunt is Agnes McAughtrie (1838-1914). Agnes married Robert Clement. They have at least 11 children, one of whom is James. James has a son, David Purdie Clement. David Purdie Clements Service Record shows Ochiltree as his place of birth, and James as his father.

Janes mother Helen:
Helens father John McAughtrie, born 11/08/1805, married Jean Grey Gregg at Girvan, Ayreshire on 07/08/1830. They live at:
1851 Dalmelliongton, Ayreshire
1861 Stariton, Ayreshire
1871 Ochiltree, Ayreshire. In his house are Robert and Agnes Clement with 11 children including James, aged 18 his son-in-law, daughter and grandchildren.

Jane Orfords brother is David Purdie Clements father. She is his aunt.

Sources

Aust War Memorial
Service Record
Nominal Roll
Newspapers