REINERS, Clemens Alexander
| Service Numbers: | 5091, 5091A, S66276 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 24 December 1915, Adelaide, South Australia |
| Last Rank: | Lieutenant |
| Last Unit: | 4th (SA) Battalion Volunteer Defence Corps (VDC) |
| Born: | Renmark, South Australia , 21 July 1896 |
| Home Town: | Renmark, Renmark Paringa, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Adelaide High School |
| Occupation: | Surveyor |
| Died: | Natural causes (dementia), Adelaide, South Australia , 1978 |
| Cemetery: | Not yet discovered |
| Memorials: | Adelaide High School Great War Honour Board, Men from Renmark and District Roll of Honor Boards (4) |
World War 1 Service
| 24 Dec 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 5091, Adelaide, South Australia | |
|---|---|---|
| 25 Mar 1916: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 5091A, 10th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Shropshire, Adelaide | |
| 25 Mar 1916: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 5091A, 10th Infantry Battalion, Enlistment/Embarkation WW1 | |
| 7 Oct 1919: | Discharged AIF WW1, Sapper, 5091A, Corps Troop Signal Coy |
World War 2 Service
| 29 Mar 1942: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Lieutenant, S66276 | |
|---|---|---|
| 29 Mar 1942: | Enlisted Lieutenant, S66276, Volunteer Defence Corps (SA), Adelaide, South Australia | |
| 30 Mar 1942: | Involvement Lieutenant, S66276, Volunteer Defence Corps (SA), Homeland Defence - Militia and non deployed forces | |
| 25 Nov 1945: | Discharged Lieutenant, S66276, 4th (SA) Battalion Volunteer Defence Corps (VDC) |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Adelaide High School
Clemens Alexander Reiners, served in both World War 1 and 2, was born on July 21, 1896 in Renmark, South Australia to Mary Mcrobe Reiners. Before enlisting, he worked as a surveryor. At the age of 21, he stood at 5 feet, 8 ½ inches and weighed 53kg when he first enlisted in the Australian imperial Force on 24 December 1915 in Adelaide.
He was assigned the regimental number 5091A/5191. He embarked from Australia on 25 March 1916, leaving behind is mother, Mary, who was listed as his next of kin. He initially trained with the 2nd Depot Battalion in Australia, and then later served with the 10th Infantry Battalion overseas.
Clemens kept a diary, where he wrote about his everyday life in the trenches. In May 1916, Clemens arrived in Plymouth, England from Egypt and then later in February 1917, he traveled from Boulogne to Étaples, France, where he joined the frontlines. Later, he was transferred to the Battalion leader’s signals section on the 6th of March 1917.
During his time in France, Clemens had to undergo the brutal conditions of trench warfare. After fighting for a few months, he was hospitalized with trench fever in July 1917, which was a spreading disease common for the soldiers. However, he did recover and continued his service until he was discharged in October 1919.
In his diary, he writes that he served in towns of the Somme region where he travelled and fought in the Ancre River, Acheux, Forceville, Varennes, Hedauville, Senlis, Henecourt, Millencourt, Bouzincourt, Martinsart, Englebelmer, Vitermont, Mailly-Maillet, Auchonvillers, Beaumont-Hamel, Beaucourt sur-Ancre, Grandcourt, Miraumont, Courcelette, Thiepval, Mouquet Farm, Ovillers la-Boisselle, la-Boisselle, Contalmaison, Aveluy, Albert, Authuille, Mesnil, Hamel and Pozieres.
After his service in World War 1, Reiners returned to his normal life, until the outbreak of World War 2 occurred. He once again enlisted in the Australian Military Forces in March 1942, in Glenelg, SA. His rank was a Lieutenant, and his service number was S66276. His next of kin was named Elizabeth Reiners. In the time of the global crisis, he served in the defense corps, contributing with Australia’s efforts. He remained there until he was finally discharged on 25 November 1945.
Clemens lived a lengthy life of around 82 years, when he ultimately died from dementia, in 1978.
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