Born in the year 1893 in Laighmains, Ochiltree, Ayrshire, Scotland. David arrived in Australia at the age of 19 years. He was a farm labourer of 21 years and 9 months old when he enlisted on the 20th October 1914. His next of kin was his father, James. His parents were James and Jane Clement, of Ailsa View, Hollybush, Ayrshire, Scotland. Native of Ochiltree, Ayrshire.
David was assigned to the 14th Battalion
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| 3rd reinforcement, 14th Australian Infantry Battalion |
David’s will shows that N.L.Orford holds £20 for him. The Orford family is associated with Brighton.
Norman Leslie Orford was the proprietor of the Brighton Southern Cross in 1919, a paper his father owned.
Norman
Leslie Orford married Jane Cavanagh who was born in Scotland. Jane’s father, John Cavanagh lived all his life in Scotland. Her mother is Helen Gibson McAughtrie (1839 - 1860). Her aunt is Agnes McAughtrie (1838 - 1914). Agnes married Robert Clement. They have at least 11 children, one of whom is James. James has a son, David Purdie Clement. David Purdie Clement’s Service Record shows Ochiltree as his place of birth, and James as his father.
David's Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A54 Runic on
embarkation, and a little over 3 weeks after the Gallipoli landing on 25th April, 1915. 19/05/1915 Gallipoli “Killed at Courtney’s Post during the first night of counter attack to recapture a section of trench taken by the Turks. Shortly after that, Lance Corporal Albert Jacka won the V.C. for retaking and holding the trench.”
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| Shrapnel Valley Cemetery |
David's name can be found on panel 72 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial .
Reference:
- National Archives of Australia
- The AIF Project
- ANZAC Site - Shrapnel Valley
- Melton Family History Group
- Argus - 17 July 1915 (Photograph)
