The AIF Project

Clifton Albert SWEETNAM

Regimental number2496
Place of birthPaddington, New South Wales
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationBuilder
Address121 Paddington Street, Paddington, New South Wales
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation24
Height5' 8.5"
Weight142 lbs
Next of kinFather, Albert M. Sweetnam, 121 Paddington Street, Paddington, New South Wales
Previous military serviceNil
Enlistment date8 June 1915
Place of enlistmentLiverpool, New South Wales
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name1st Battalion, 7th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/18/2
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A67 Orsova on 14 July 1915
Regimental number from Nominal RollCommissioned
Rank from Nominal RollLieutenant
Unit from Nominal Roll53rd Battalion
FateReturned to Australia 8 April 1919
Miscellaneous information from
  cemetery records
Parents: Albert and Clara SWEETNAM
Discharge date25 July 1919
Other details

War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front

Embarked Alexandria, Egypt, 18 October 1915; joined 1st Bn, Gallipoli, 4 November 1915.

Disembarked Alexandria, 28 December 1915.

Transferred to 53rd Bn, 13 February 1916; taken on strength of 53rd Bn, Tel el Kebir, 14 February 1916.

Attached to 14th Infantry Bde, 21 February 1916.

Transferred to 14th Infantry Bde Headquarters, Canal Zone, 26 May 1916.

Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 19 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 25 June 1916.

Promoted Second Lieutenant, 26 August 1916; transferred to, and taken on strength of 53rd Bn, 26 August 1916.

On Command at 2nd Army School, Wisques, 9 September 1916; rejoined unit, 7 October 1916.

Recorded for gallantry and meritorious service in 5th Australian Divisional Routine Orders, 8 December 1916: 'He showed great coolness and courage under trying conditions, inspiring those under him when exposed to heavy enemy fire.'

On leave to England, 5 December 1916.

Admitted to No 3 London General Hospital, 16 December 1916 (laryngitis); granted extension to leave on medical grounds, 4 January 1917; discharged to France, 14 January 1917; rejoined unit, 18 January 1917.

Promoted Lieutenant, 26 January 1917.

To 5th Division School as Quartermaster, 8 May 1917.

Seconded for duty with 1st Anzac Corps School, 19 May 1917.

On leave to England, 1 October 1917; rejoined 1st Anzac Corps School, 15 October 1917.

Admitted to No 3 Australian Casualty Clearing Station, 25 June 1918 (pyrexia of unknown origin); transferred to No 42 Ambulance Train, 29 June 1918; to British Red Cross Hospital, Wirmereux, 29 June 1918; to England, 2 July 1918; to No 3 London General Hospital, 2 July 1918 (pyrexia of unknown origin); to No 5 Australian Auxiliary Hospital, Wellin, 12 July 1918 (influenza); discharged to Overseas Training Bde, 13 August 1918.

Proceeded overseas to France, 24 August 1918; marched into Australian Intermediate Base Depot, Le Havre, 28 August 1918.

Marched out to unit, no date stated; rejoined 53rd Bn, 4 September 1918.

Detached to Salvage Demonstration, 2 November 1918; rejoined unit, 7 November 1918.

On leave to Paris, 21 December 1918; rejoined unit, 11 January 1919.

Proceeded to England for return to Australia, 24 January 1919; marched in England, 31 January 1919.

Marched into No 4 Command Depot, Hurdcott, 17 February 1919.

Commenced return to Australia on board HT 'Tras-os-montes', 7 April 1919; disembarked Melbourne, 22 May 1919; discharged (appointment terminated), Sydney, 25 July 1919.

Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal

Death attributed to war service.
Date of death6 August 1939
Age at death48
Place of burialNorthern Suburbs Crematorium, New South Wales
SourcesNAA: B2455, SWEETNAM Clifton Albert

Print format    


© The AIF Project 2024, UNSW Canberra. Not to be reproduced without permission.