Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Charles Herbert Clatworthy, known as Charlie, was born on 4th March 1888 at Townsville QLD the eldest son of Dr Herbert and Alice Clatworthy.  His younger brother Frank was born in 1891.  Charlie’s father had a medical practice at Charters Towers until 1903 when the family moved to Brisbane.  Charlie attended the Brisbane Grammar School and also the Sydney Grammar School.  After matriculating in 1907 he went on to study medicine at Sydney University.  He graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine (MB) in 1911 and later a Master of Surgery (ChM) in 1914.  While at the University Charlie won his Blue playing Rugby Union.  He also participated in athletics and rowing.  In 1913 he was a resident doctor at the Brisbane General Hospital & Childrens’ Hospital in Queensland.

In April 1914 Charlie was appointed Assistant Health Officer for Brisbane, a position he held for 5 months.  In August 1914 he was appointed Medical Officer (MO) for Gladstone Hospital.  On 14th October 1914 Charlie married Stephanie Alexandra Raff at St Matthew’s Church Sherwood, Brisbane.  After their honeymoon they moved to Gladstone where Charlie had bought a medical practice. 

Charlie and Stephanie welcomed a son, John Hope, born on 7th February 1916 at St Helen’s Hospital in Gladstone QLD. 

Charlie resigned as MO in November 1917 to enlist for WW1 and was appointed Honorary Captain with the Australian Army Medical Corps (AAMC) Reserve for the district of Queensland.  The family moved to Kangaroo Point in Brisbane where in mid-February 1918, aged 30, Charlie applied for, and was granted, a commission.  He enlisted on 18th February 1918 with the rank of Captain and was assigned to the AAMC General Reinforcements.  He’s described as being 5ft 8ins tall with a dark complexion, blue eyes and dark hair. 

Charlie embarked from Sydney on 22nd March 1918 on HMAT Runic and disembarked at London, England, on 24th May 1918.  He proceeded to the AAMC Training Depot at Parkhouse Camp on the Salisbury Plain then to No. 3 Command Depot at Hurdcott Camp in early June 1918.  On 13th June 1918 Charlie embarked for France from Folkestone and was attached to the 2nd Australian General Hospital at Wimereux.  Two weeks later he was posted to the 2nd Field Ambulance (2nd FA) at Bouzincourt then in mid-September was attached for 4 days to the 1st FA at Buire.  He re-joined the 2nd FA at Brusle then was detached for duty as MO to the 2nd Tunnelling Company at Friville-Escarbotin in late October 1918.  He was with them when the end of the war was declared on 11th November 1918.  Four days later he proceeded to the Australian Reinforcements Camp at Miannay then re-joined the 2nd FA at Bohain on 19th November 1918. 

Charlie remained with the 2nd FA until March 1919 when he took leave to Paris.  In early April 1919 he received orders to report to the Director of Medical Services (DMS) in London.  After disembarking at Folkestone on 6th April 1919 he reported to the AIF Headquarters in London.  In late April he proceeded for duty as MO to No. 1 Group at Longbridge Deverill Camp.  He remained there for 3 months before relinquishing that role to proceed to Tidworth Camp to await being returned to Australia.  He embarked from Liverpool on 9th August 1919 on HMAT Ceramic as MO for the voyage and disembarked at Sydney on 3rd October 1919.  He then travelled by train to Brisbane arriving the next day.  His appointment was terminated on 27th October 1919. 

After the war the family moved to Artarmon in NSW where Charlie went into partnership with his father.  The surgery was located in his father’s home at 2 Jersey Street and it was called “Chatham”. 

On 19th May 1921 Charlie and Stephanie welcomed their daughter, Stephanie. 

After Charlie’s father died at “Chatham” in June 1926, he continued the practice until the 4th January 1930 when Charlie himself died at “Chatham” after a long battle with long cancer.  He was 41.  His funeral was held on the 6th January before he was cremated at Rookwood Memorial Gardens & Crematorium NSW.

Charles Herbert Clatworthy was awarded for service in WW1 the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.   

Respectfully submitted by Sue Smith 5th September 2023.