CLUETT, Charles Major

Charles was born in 1889 at Child Okeford, Dorset, England, the fifth child of Matthias and Louisa Cluett. He left England for Australia at the end of 1910 and was working as a Farmhand at Delungra, west of Inverell NSW when he enlisted for War service in January 1916. With several other recruits he was given a farewell at Delungra and presented with the Inverell Medal and a silver matchbox.

He was one of the Second Contingent of Inverell's Kurrajongs which left for the Narrabri Camp on 29 February 1916. Charles became a member of the 33rd Battalion, B Company which sailed from Australia on HMAT A74 Marathon on 4 May. The Battalion completed further training at Salisbury Plain, England, prior to going to France in November as part of the 3rd Division. He was wounded during the Battle of Messines, then Killed in Action on 15 July 1917 and buried at Bethlehem Farm West Cemetery, Messines, Belgium.

At his home town of Child Okeford in England, his name is recorded on the Roll of Honour and the War Memorial. His name is also on the Honour Roll at St. Mary's Church, Sturminster Newton.

In Australia, Private Charles Cluett is remembered at Inverell where his name is inscribed on the Honor Roll and Cenotaph. He was one of the 215 men for whom a memorial tree was planted in Kurrajong Parade in 1919. At Delungra his name is recorded on their Honor Roll.