Military History

Cleverly was made Transport Officer for voyage to England.
Embarked Fremantle per HT ‘Surada’ for England 22.9.1916.
Roll Rank 2nd Lieutenant.
Roll Unit 15th Reinforcement 28th Battalion.
Cleverly disembarked at Plymouth the 15th Reinforcement 28th Battalion 21.11.1916. After a short period of intensive training, he proceeded overseas to France 12.12.1916. He was taken on strength with 28th Battalion 18.12.1916 and promoted to Lieutenant 1.1.1917. The 28th Battalion endured the harsh winter of 1916-17 on the Somme, engaged in trench warfare (Australian War Memorial 28th Battalion). Cleverly contracted influenza and was admitted to hospital 27.3.1917. He rejoined his Battalion 5.4.1917 as they fought with the Allies to penetrate the Hindenberg Line. Cleverly was wounded in action  at Norieul, with a gunshot wound to his thigh 3.5.1917. He was transferred by the 6th Field Ambulance to the No 3 Casualty Clearing Station, then to the No. 2 Red Cross Hospital. Cleverly was invalided to England and admitted to the 3rd London General Hospital 14.5.1917. He was discharged 3 weeks later and marched in to Perham Downs 6.8.1917. Cleverly embarked for France 3 weeks to join his Battalion 27.8.1917 and was taken on strength with the 28th Battalion 5.9.1917. He fought at the battle of Menin Road and was wounded in action (2nd time). He received a severe gunshot wound to face and at the base of skull 10.10.1917. He was transferred by the 7th Field Ambulance to the 3rd Casualty Clearing Station in Belgium. Cleverly Died of Wounds received in action at the Casualty Clearing Station 11.10.1917. He was buried at Nine Elms British Cemetery, SW of Poperinghe, Plot 4, Row H, Grave 1.
Final Rank Lieutenant 28th Battalion.
Medical Condition Deceased, KIA.
Awards and Medals British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Notes  Harry Cleverly married Amy Marion Kendall on 22.4.1916 prior to embarkation. After his death Cleverly’s widow, Amy Marion remarried  Mr Kendall of 12 Victoria Street Guildford, WA.  All mail was directed c/- Mr W. Traylen, 12 Victoria St Guildford, WA. The name Cleverly is spelt both with a  two and three 'e's
Cleverly had three brothers who served in WW1, Corporal Tom (KIA) Lance Corporal George Cleverley, Steve Cleverly returned, he also had siblings Fanny, Jack and Charlie.

Dead did you say. Nay only heaven speed
Just safe in God’s home port they are, not dead.
Lost did you think. How can such lives be lost.
Gathered up his jewels rare of cast.
Gone , Nay just waiting on God’s wide shoreline.
The coming of life’s vessels just yours and mine
(West Australian Newspaper , In Memoriam 11.10.1918)

Photos Cleverley W.R J. Photograph sourced and reproduced from the  Daphne Gill Collection courtesy C. Warren
          HMAT 'Surada'. Photographer unknown. SLNSW image a639566
             Australian Artillery passing through a captured section of the Hindenburg Line, Oct. 1918. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM E03506
             Menin Road. Soldiers marching to the front 1917. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM E0464
             Nine Elms Military Cemetery, Thelus, France. Photograph source CWGC

Information Source
AWM E03506. Australian Artillery passing through a captured section of the Hindenburg Line, Oct. 1918. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collction of the Australian War Memorial
AWM E0464. Menin Road. Soldiers marching to the front 1917. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
Australian War Memorial Embarkation Roll- Henry Cleverly
Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour- Henry Cleverly
CWGC. Nine Elms Military Cemetery, Thelus, France. Photograph source CWGC website  http://www.cwgc.org/find-a-cemetery/cemetery/30201/NINE%20ELMS%20MILITARY%20CEMETERY,%20THELUS
Daphne Gill Collection. Cleverley W.R.J.   Photograph sourced and reproduced from the  Daphne Gill Collection courtesy C. Warren
NAA: B2455, Cleverly H A
SLNSW a639566 . HMAT 'Surada'. Photograph sourced from the State Library of New South Wales HMAT 'Surada'. Photographer unknown. SLNSW image.
West Australian Newspaper
Wesley Honour Roll Fallen


50 Second Ave, Mt Lawley, WA. (Wife)

Associated Images