Anzac
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Australia’s Fighting Sinclair
sons of the empire
1914- 1918
In 1915 four brothers Clarence Fredrick, Raymond, Cyril and Clair Sinclair enlisted to take part in World War 1. They were the son’s of William James Sinclair, of Tyringham NSW. William Sinclair married Esther Edwards and had 13 children including unnamed twins that died in infancy. When Esther died in 1889, William remarried the following year to Jane Hiscox and had a further 11 children. Of the 24 children 4 boys went to war during WW1, as did two Kirby Brothers. Charles Parker Kirby was the husband of Ileene Sinclair. A further son Karl joing in WW2 together with many grandchildren.

Clarence Frederick Sinclair


1887-1918

Quartermaster – Sergeant Clarence Fredrick Sinclair (2476- 19th Batalion) was the youngest son from William’s first marriage to Esther. He enlisted at Dorrigo in July 1915. Clarence sailed for Egypt, where he arrived at the end of 1915, and proceeded to France. He was wounded in France Feb 1916 and rejoined his unit in October 1916. The following day he suffered wounds in action. Promoted to temp sergeant Dec 1916.  Seven months later in May 1917 he was again wounded in action.  Sent to England to recover from thigh and arm wounds. Sergeant Sinclair proceeded back to France from Sth Hampton to his station at Sandhill camp, Long ridge December 1917. On January 1918 he was wounded and again in April of that year. Clarence participated in Battles at Poziers, Armentieres, Baupaume, Messines, Bullecourt and Polygen Wood. On the 20th July he was detached for duty with the American units, however on 17th of August 1918, Clarence Fredrick Sinclair’s luck and life came to an end when he was reported missing and confirmed “Killed In Action”. A heroic innings from a brave Soldier and Son of Australia. His body was never recovered from the French battlefields in the Somme. He is remembered along with 10,682 other diggers with no known graves at Villers Bretonneux memorial. The remembrance wall stands on a hill overlooking the fields where they fought so bravely. The residences at the village of Villers - Bretonneux, remember and honour the Australian diggers like Clarence Sinclair who came and died for their freedom. Life sooner than honour left these sons of the empire.

Raymond Sinclair

1893-1971

Sergeant Raymond Sinclair MM, DCM,(3912- 13th Batalion) was one of the 11 children from William Sinclair’s second marriage to Jane Hiscox. He enlisted at Dorrigo in 1915, and was attached to the 4th Machine Gun Company. He sailed for Egypt, and was there for a few months before he embarked for France. He went straight into action at Pozieres, and Fleurbaix, and later the battles of Armentieres, Baupaume, Bullecourt, Polygon Wood, and the 1918 offensive. Raymond was fortunate and returned to Australia. He received the Military Medal(M.M.) and the Distinguished Conduct Medal(D.C.M.) as a result of his military service.He lived a long and fruitful life marrying Angelina Mary Donoughue after his return from the war. They had the following children; Angelina Victoria Sinclair B1923 to 1923 died less than one year of age. Laurel Rae Sinclair 1927, Colleen Dawn Sinclair 1929, Gloria Olive Sinclair 1934, Clarice Heather Sinclair 1934. Raymond died 17 May 1971 in Coffs Harbour, NSW, at 77 years of age. Raymond’s wife Angelina died in 1987 aged  87 years.

For further information on Raymond Sinclair


1898-1961
2nd Lieutenant Clair Sinclair (2096-2nd Field Squadron), enlisted September 1915 at the age of 17 and went into camp at Holdsworthy. He was attached to the first field squadron Anzac mounted division and sailed for Egypt in February 1916. He trained there for some time and then went into action in Palestine, taking part in the battles of Gaza, Beersheba, Jerusalem and Jericho. He was promoted to corporal in June 1916. He joined the Australian Flying Corps in Egypt and after graduating as a pilot in May 1919 was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant. He left Egypt for Australia in July 1919 on board the “Oxfordshire”.  After his return home, he married Amanda Donoghue. They had 4 children, Amanda Sinclair, Mildred Sinclair, Lindsay Sinclair, and Carlyle Sinclair. Clair died in 1961.

For further information on Clair Sinclair

Charles Parker Kirby

1890-1917

Brother in-law, 2nd Lieutenant Charles Parker Kirby (104-33rd Battalion), was married to their sister Ileene Sinclair. They had one son, Charles Kirby in 1916. Charles joined the 33rd Battalion AIF in Rutherford NSW on the 17th September 1915 and was promoted to corporal on the 14 Feb 1916. On the 29 April he was promoted to acting Sergeant and to Sergeant on the 4th May 1916. On the 4th Aug he was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant while still in England. On the 22 nd Feb 1917 he was wound in action and died the next day, 18th February 1917 in France - from gunshot wounds, at 26 years of age. He was buried in the Bolougne Eastern Cemetery, Pas de Calais France, Grave Ref No VII. B 13. The widowed Mrs Ileene Sinclair Kirby remarried in 1933 to Darwin Dawson.

The information & photos are based on the book "Australia's Fighting Sons of the Empire" published by Palmer & Ashworth in 1920.


Australian Fighting Sinclairs World War 2
Many of the Grandchildren fought in World War 2 and some lost their lives.

    Name                                                KIA                                        Parents
Private Archibald FrederickSinclair     28/5/1941           Sidney Gordon & Ellen Sinclair
Private Stanley Heston Sinclair                                      Sidney Gordon & Ellen Sinclair
Private Ivor McDougall Sinclair            9/4/1945            Ernest Crisp & Alice Flora Sinclair
Private Cyril Francis Sinclair                                         EdwinWard & Mary Alice Sinclair
Lance Corporal Harold Edward Sinclair                         EdwinWard & Mary Alice Sinclair
Sergeant  Karl  Sinclair  ;  ;                                          William James & Jane Sinclair
Private  Claude James  Sinclair                                       Herbert Henry &Eileen (Duffy) Sinclair
Warrant Officer (RAAF) Clarence Frederick  Sinclair      William James Jnr &Mary (Cartwright) Sinclair
Corporal  Cyril Lachlan  Sinclair                                    Francis Gerald & Sophia (Chelman) Sinclair
Sergeant  Clarence Frederick  Sinclair                           Francis Gerald & Sophia (Chelman) Sinclair
Private  Russell  Ellis                                                        James Ellis & Dorothy Sinclair
Private  Tim  Ellis                                                             James Ellis & Dorothy Sinclair

Since 3rd Sept 2002

Last Updated 10th February 2004

Copyright © 2000 Barry Sinclair,

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