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Australia

Previously served two years with C Company 2nd Battalion, Riverton, and one year Riverton Volunteer Force

Born: 24 Jan 1876, Auburn, South Australia
Married: 14 Dec 1912, at Magill, South Australia
Children: 1914 to 1915, 2 daughters
Died: 9 Aug 1938, at home in Magill, South Australia

CASTINE Claude C – Early 1900’s went to the Boer War with SA Contingent 2nd SAMR
Lance Corporal Claude Clement CASTINE 2nd South Australian Mounted Rifles
Claude operated his gunsmith business in a basement, Hindley Street, north side, close to Bank Street.

"RIFLE SHOOTING. FAREWELL TO MR. CASTINE.
At the Selborne Hotel on Tuesday evening a number of riflemen assembled to bid good-bye to Mr. C. C. Castine, who for many years has been well known in rifle circles. Colonel Lee, the district commandant, presided over a large attendance. Mr Castine has been connected with the staff office for seven years, and has also filled the position of secretary to the District Rifle Clubs' Association. He has now decided to take up farming pursuits at Kangaroo Island. During his connection with the association Mr. Castine has proved himself popular among his fellows. Many letters, which were read by Lieutenant Billin (secretary of the 6.A.N.R.A), testified to the guests good qualities, and regret was expressed that he was leaving. He was wished success in his new sphere. As a mark of the esteem in which he was held by his comrades of the Adelaide Rifle Club, he was made the recipient of a j double-barrelled gun. The whole of the rifle clubs in South Australia are also combining to present Mr. Castine with a testimonial." - from the Adelaide Advertiser 25 Nov 1908

"MR. C. CASTINE Rifle Association Secretary

ADELAIDE, Tuesday. 9th August 1938

After a short illness, Mr. Claude Castine (secretary of South Australian Rifle Association and one of the State's most prominent riflemen) died at his home in Ellis street, Magill, today. Mr. Castine, who was 62, had been secretary of the association since 1928, when he succeeded Mr. F. S. Bleechmore. "Mr. Castine did some wonderful work for the rifle clubs in South Australia," said Brig.Gen. Dean (president of the rifle association) today. "He was a most thorough secretary and a fine soldier. All riflemen will be sorry to hear of his death." Serving with a South Australian contingent during the Boer War, Mr. Castine rose from the ranks and won a commission. Returning to Adelaide, he joined the Defence Department in 1903 and, taking over part of the organisation of the rifle clubs' office at Keswick, began his long association with riflemen in the State.

FARMED FOR FEW YEARS

He stayed at Keswick until about 1910, when he took a farm on Kangaroo Island. Just before the war he returned to Adelaide and opened a gunsmithing business. Upon the war's outbreak he rejoined the Defence Department as a rifle expert, and served on the clerical staff of the ordnance office at Keswick until the war finished. He then began his business again, and after many years as an active member of the rifle association was appointed secretary. Mr. Castine was also secretary of the No. 1 (Metropolitan) District of the Rifle Clubs' Union. He has represented South Australia in interstate rifle matches, and was a particularly reliable team shooter. After farming, the late Mr. Castine joined the Government's surveying department and helped to open up the original village settlements along the Murray, including Kingston and Pyap. He later went on an expedition to the West Coast, surveying the area around Darke's Peak, and up to Coondambo and Williams Creek. He served with the South Australian contingent in the South African War and on his return joined the staff of the Rifle Club Office at Keswick in 1903. He was there until 1910, when he began farming at Kangaroo Island. Later he returned to Adelaide and began business as a gunsmith. During the Great War he served on the clerical staff of the Ordnance Department, being ineligible for active service because of the loss of an eye in South Africa. He was secretary of the South Australian Rifle Association from 1928 until the time of his death, and an active member of the Adelaide Rifle Club. Mr. Castine was rifle shooting correspondent for "The Advertiser." - from the Port Pirie Recorder 10 Aug 1938

Information courtesy of Judith Prior