Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Claude Dennis was born in 1886 in Gladstone, South Australia. He was the son of James Dennis (father), and Kate Francis Dennis (nee Tobin; mother). Claude was the youngest of three boys. His older brothers’ names were Clarence Michael James Dennis and Francis Dennis, born in 1876 and 1880. His family was Roman Catholic, and of Irish descent, migrating to Australia during the initial period of settlement.

His father had been married previously to a woman named Mary Anne Cronin. There were two children from this marriage, Antoinette who died in 1865 and Michael John who died in 1867, both at the age of 10 months old.

In 1883 Claude’s father, James Dennis, took the family to Gladstone, where he ran the Gladstone Hotel. In 1890 they moved again, this time to Laura where James became the publican of the Beetaloo Reservoir Hotel.

Claude’s mother died in 1890, aged thirty-nine. At the death of his mother, Claude was raised by his aunts in Mintaro. His father then died in 1910. Both Claude’s mother and father were buried at the West Terrace Cemetery in Adelaide.

Clarence Dennis, Claude’s brother, known as C.J. Dennis, was a very well-known Australian poet (and author), who wrote many famous poems in his time. He was especially known for his humorous poems, including ‘The Songs of a Sentimental Bloke’ which sold 65,000 copies in its first year, 1916. He became the most well paid poet in Australian history by the following year. Clarence intended to join the war along with Claude, however he was unable to serve with him as he was rejected for ‘active service’.

Claude attended Christian Brothers’ College along with his two brothers, and later, became a motor mechanic.

When Claude enlisted in the army, he was 28 years old (and 1 month). His military records describe him as 5 feet tall, 100 pounds (in weight), with a medium complexion, grey eyes, and black hair. At the time, Claude was not married.

Claude’s unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board the HMAT A60 Aeneas on the 30th of October 1917. He was enlisted in the 5th Pioneer Battalion, Reinforcement 10 (as a private) which was an infantry and light engineer reinforcement. They were employed to construct road works, dig communications trenches, insert tracks, build saps, and extend ‘light rail’ systems. They often completed their daily duties under gun fire. His reinforcement fought almost exclusively on the Western Front, in France. Claude and his reinforcement fought in the Second Battle of Villers-Bretonneux, the Battle of Amiens, the Battle of Peronne Somme, and the Battle of St Quentin Canal.

The Battle of Amiens, in which Claude was involved, commenced on the 8th of August 1918. This Battle was part of the Second Battles of the Somme. Ten Allied divisions made a surprise attack on the Germans, progressing rapidly eastward, capturing hundreds of German prisoners, and regaining ground lost in previous battles earlier that year. This battle was the beginning of several battles up to November 1918 which came to be known as the Hundred Days Offensive. This battle was a significant event, changing the course of the war, shifting the troops eastward and out of the trenches.

Claude survived the war without being significantly wounded during his time of service. He returned to Australia after the war. When he returned, a military doctor assessed his health. It was noted that he had varicose veins prior to the war which he stated were feeling worse afterwards (1919). He also complained of deafness in both ears, which may have resulted from exposure to artillery explosions and gunshots.

After the war, Claude lived in South Australia, initially in Norwood, and later on in Myrtle Bank. In 1928, he married a woman named Ann Brookes, in Norwood. There is no evidence to suggest Claude had children.

Claude died on the 5th of July 1959 at the age of 73 years old. There is no information confirming the cause of his death, however, based on his age, it could reasonably be assumed that it would have been relating to old age, and possibly illness. He was buried in Cheltenham Cemetery, in Adelaide, South Australia.