The Soldier's Details
- Surname:
- Hellmrich
- First Name:
- Leslie Clive
- Nick Name:
- Clive
- Rank:
- Private
- Regimental #:
- WX8638
- Classification:
- Driver
- Company:
- 'A' Company, 5 Platoon
- Enlisted:
- 18.10.1940
- DOB:
- 31.03.1910
- Place of Birth:
- Bunbury, Western Australia
- Father's Name:
- John Mathieson Hellmrich
- Mothers's Name:
- Hester Hellmrich
- Religion:
- Church of England
- Pre-war Occupation:
- Truck Driver
- Memorial:
- Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, Plot 1, Row B, Grave 62, Age 33.
- Singapore:
- Selarang Camp and Barracks Changi
- Force:
- 'F' Force Thailand
- POW#:
- 1/8005 and 1/291
- Cause of Death:
- Malaria, Beri‐Beri and Dysentery
- Place of Death:
- Kanchanaburi
- Date of Death:
- 22.12.1943
- Buried:
- Grave No. 62, Kanchanaburi
General Description
‘Clive’ Hellmrich was a talented sportsman, in particular Australian Rules Football. He was a left footer and prior to enlisting in October 1940 he played 10 games for Swan Districts Football Club in 1934 and 1935; scoring total of 11 goals and 2 points. Clive shared roving duties with Ron Badock in the 2/4th footy team. Read further about 2/4th Football team.
He enlisted AIF Oct 1940 later joined 2/4th MGB’s ‘A’ Coy No. 5 Platoon as a Driver under Commanding Officer Lt. Walton and Lt Learmonth.
As a POW at Singapore Clive met up with his brother Noel.
Clive was Taken on Strength 2/6th Field Park Company on 5.1.1943 to join his older brother Noel. Noel survived being a POW and was liberated.
Selected with ‘F’ Force he travelled to Thailand. He died of malaria, beri-beri and dysentery at Kanchanaburi on 22nd December 1943 aged 33 years and was buried there.
Funeral Service conducted by Major Cordingley.
Read further about ‘F’ Force
Below: 2/4th men of F Force. Compiled by Harold Cowie.
Clive was married with a young son whom they named Geoffrey Clive.
Kanchanaburi War Cemetery.
During Oct 1945 the Hellmrich family received the tragic news of Clive’s death. He had died of malaria, beri beri and dysentery at Kanchanaburi Hospital 22 Dec 1943 aged 33 years having been evacuated from the railway.
Clive Hellmrich’s name is included on the Midland WW2 Memorial
Clive Hellmrich was from a family of talented sportsmen.
Clive was born in 1910 to John Mathieson Hellmrich (Snr) and Hester (nee Weaire) who married Perth 1895. He was the youngest son of 8 children.
John Mathieson Hellmrich (Snr) died in 1928 and Clive’s mother Hester died in 1933 at Midland.
Clive’s older brother b. 1895 enlisted June 1915 WW1 aged 19 1/2 years. John Mathieson (Jnr) known as ‘Syd’ to his family, Service No. 4526 fought with 51st Battalion was promoted Lt Corp France 12 Jan 1917. He Died of Wounds 4 Apr 1917 and was buried at Pozieres aged 21 years.
Above: Record of ‘Syd’ Hellmrich’s war injuries – included GSW lacerations to right arm and leg, GSW upper and lower extremeities of abdomen.
Below: Mary Anne Weaike died May 1949. Grandmother to Clive and mother to Hester Hellmrich.
Camp Locations:
- Selarang Barracks Changi - Singapore
- Selarang Camp Changi - Singapore
- Kanchanaburi, 50k - Thailand
