Clarence Cecil Atkinson DCM (1915 - 1981)

Born 21 May 1915 in Kogarah, New South Wales, Australia

Husband of Clarice (Tomlyn) Atkinson — married 1935 in Hurstville, New South Wales, Australia

Died 1981 at about age 65 in Riverwood, New South Wales, Australia

Biography

Clarence Atkinson DCM is an Indigenous Australian.

Clarence Atkinson DCM is an Anzac who served in World War Two.

Clarence Cecil Atkinson DCM was born on 21st May 1915 in Kogarah, New South Wales, Australia. He was the second son of Cecil Atkinson and Eileen Lawrence. ^[1]

He gained employment as a chef. ^[2]

Clarence married Clarice Tomlyn in 1935 in Hurstville, New South Wales. ^[3] They had two children: Gwendoline and Robert. ^[2]

Clarence Atkinson DCM is a Military Veteran.
Served in the Second Australian Imperial Force 1939-1945
2/3rd Australian Infantry Battalion

On 3rd November 1939 in Blakehurst, New South Wales, Clarence enlisted in the Second Australian Imperial Force, Australia's overseas expeditionary force for the Second World War. He was allocated to the 2/3rd Australian Infantry Battalion, 16th Brigade, 6th Division, ^[4] and sailed for the Middle East on 10th January 1940.

He saw action in the advance westward into Libya (January 1941) and in Greece (April 1941). As the division formed part of the New Zealand and Australian Corps in the latter campaign, he may correctly be called an ANZAC. Clarence was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) for his 'amazing courage ... conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty' at Jebel Mazar, Syria in 1941 in taking out a Hotchkiss gun that was threatening his section. ^[5]

He later served with the 2/14th Battalion on Morotai and Balikpapan. With the war over, Clarence was discharged on 20th October 1945, with the junior non-commissioned rank of Corporal. ^[4] Following the war he was issued the campaign and service medals: 1939-1945 Star, Africa Star, Pacific Star, Defence Medal, War Medal 1939-1945 and Australia Service Medal 1939-1945.

Following the war, Clarence struggled with what we would today call PTSD and, thereby, finances. Jobs included working at a rubbish tip, concreting and as a bookmaker working from home. The family were homeless by 1949, with The Sun reporting on their predicament under the heading, 'Winner of DCM sleeps in Street'. After intervention by their local Member of Parliament, Clarence and his family were allocated a housing commission house at Charles Street, Riverwood, on the Georges River, where they remained more than thirty years. ^[2]

Aged about 66 years, he passed away in 1981 in New South Wales. ^[6] He was survived by his wife, children and grandchildren.

Sources

1. ↑ New South Wales Birth Index #15898/1915
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2} Hunter, Claire. 'Wartime Issue 95 Winter 2021: A Day in the Life'; accessed 20 Jul 2021
3. ↑ New South Wales Marriage Index #14222/1935
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1} Department of Veterans' Affairs nominal roll: NX4314 Corporal Clarence Atkinson; accessed 20 Jul 2021
5. ↑ Australian Honours: Distinguished Conduct Medal; accessed 20 Jul 2021
6. ↑ New South Wales #26859/1981