The Soldier's Details

Clancy was admitted to 2/10th Australian General Hospital suffering from shell shock and leg wound 11 Feb 1942.  He was discharged to unit 20 Feb 1942.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On 8 August 1945, the Soviet Union declared war on Japan and the following day launched a massive offensive into Japanese occupied Manchuria.

The Japanese held POWs at two sites in Manchuria. The largest camp was Hoten, three miles northeast of Mukden, in an industrial area adjacent to main rail line leading to city of Harbin.

Clancy was with first group, arriving  Mudken on Remembrance Day (formerly Armistice Day) 1942, included about 1,400 Americans (from the Philippines and in very poor condition- some being survivors of the Bataan Death March), 81 British, 3 New Zealanders and 16 Australians.

In the Australian group there were 5 West Australians. They were Corporal James Clancy 2/4 Machine Gun Battalion, Cpl Jim Scott, L/Cpl RG Mitchell, L/Cpl HG “Judda” Bee all of the 2/4 Reserve Motor Transport Company, Driver R Menzies AASC. In April 1945 another West Australian Chaplain The Rev Thomas Bindeman joined them. The Senior Australian and only Australian officer with the 1942 party was Captain (Medical Officer) Des Brennan

 

 

 

 

For more information read “Korea – Destination for Ted Roots, Jack Taylor, Jim Clancy, Bill Gray and Hubert ‘Dutchy’ Holland”

 

Jim Clancy was born in Wagin in 1918 and enlisted on 1 August 1940 later joining 2/4th Machine Gun Battalion.  During battle to save Singapore Jim was admitted to hospital on 11 February suffering from shell shock and a leg wound.

Jim Clancy was to be wounded again by allied bombing in Manchuria. Des Brennan valued him and regarded him as a stabilizing influence in the Hoten Camp, Manchuria.

Please read further about Hoten Manchuria.

 

Jim was one of four children born to Peter Patrick Clancy and Catherine Hayes.  Jim’s older brother John Michael was born Ballarat, Victoria  in 1915. The Clancy family moved to WA from Victoria before the birth of Jim in 1919.  Younger sister Laura Jane was also born Wagin about 1923 and passed way in 1932 aged 9 years.

Jim’s brother John also enlisted with AIF WX16107 and returned to Australia.

Returning from war Jim married Dorothy Irene White.  He was successful in applying for a War Service Farm in 1949.

A similar scheme was established after WW1.

 

 

 

 

Jim and Dorothy farmed at ‘Ingadoone’ Bindi Bindi during 1954-1958 and in 1963 Electoral Roll they are residing Applecross, however Jim’s occupation is recorded as farmer.

Bindi Bindi is located between Moora and Wongan HIlls in WA’s wheatbelt country.

The following was included in the Bindi Bindi news – Midlands Advocate Newspaper 1951.

 

 

Jim’s father Peter Clancy died Fremantle 1959 and his mother Catherine died in 1978.

In 1980 Electoral Roll Jim and Dorothy are residing Safety Bay.

Jim passed away 14th October 1989.

In the Borehole Bulletin January 1990, a letter received from Dorothy Clancy of 15 Carribean Drive, Safety Bay was printed.

Dorothy wished to express her thanks for 2/4th for their attendance and condolences received for Jim’s funeral.  Gordon Lynam, Les Cody and Alf Worth were part of the cortege escort.

Jim’s request to have his coffin draped with Battalion Colours was greatly appreciated.   Being on dialysis machine every Monday and Thursday prevented him attending 2/4th meetings and events, however Dorothy wrote Jim was always proud to have served with 2/4th and took great interest in Borehole Bulletin’s news.

Please read Boys from Wagin where Clancy enlisted.