Clarence Howard Culpin, my second cousin three times removed, was born in 1879 in Stoke Newington, fourth of the six children of Millice & Hannah (nee Munsey). In 1881 the family lived in Church Street, Stoke Newington, and they emigrated to Australia in early 1891, settling in Queensland.
Clarence went to the Central State School in Brisbane and then the Gatton Agricultural College before settling as a farmer, showing up the electoral roll in Eumundi in 1903.
He enlisted in the Australian Infantry on 1st May 1916, at the age of 36, and embarked with the 26th Infantry Brigade on 21 October that year. He died one hundred years ago today and is buried in Dernacourt Cemetery on the Somme.
The Brisbane Courier describes the honours paid to Clarence and other Eumundi soldiers who fell.
"APPRECIATION OF SOLDIERS. EUMUNDI, October 8 (1918).
A memorial tree planting ceremony under the auspices of the Eumundi Women's Patriotic Committee was carried out last Saturday, when 12 trees where planted by the nearest relatives of 12 Eumundi heroes who have recently fallen at the Front. A procession of Boy Scouts, State school pupils, and a batch of returned soldiers marched from the State school to the School of Arts, where a large crowd had assembled. The Nambour Town Band was in attendance. Before the tree planting commenced patriotic speeches were delivered by Messrs R Warren, Jill, Sharry and Chapman (chairmen of the Marrochy and Noosa Shire Councils respectively), Rev. Jas. Moorehouse, Mr W Brookes (Maroochy Shire clerk), and Sergeant Russell. The Brisbane visitors included Dr Culpin, who planted a tree in memory of his deceased son Clarence. In the evening a sacred concert was held in the School of Arts, and was well attended. Eighteen trees in all have now been planted."
We will remember them.
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