by Gary. M. Anstey, chief researcher of the Anstey story project.
Clement Zouche Essington Anstey was born in June 1899 in Sale in Gippsland, Victoria, Australia to parents George Anstey and Harriet; he is a descendant of the Milverton Ansteys of Somerset. Clement is the brother of fellow Anstey Heroes Hugh George Essington Anstey, Muriel Fanny Essington Anstey and Alexander Gidley Essington Anstey – he grew up living in Victoria, where he was still living in c1910.
Clement signed up for active service towards the end of World War One, on 11 July 1918 in Melbourne as a Private (Service Number 68528). Due to his young age, he required both of his parents to countersign that they had no objection to his enlistment. Per his Attestation Paper, Clement was a natural born British Subject, religion ‘Church of England’, and a motor mechanic by trade. He had previous Army experience, being “S. Cadets 4 years 49A South Yarra C. Forces 1 year 19th [or 4th] Battery A. F. A. [Australian Field Artillery] Windsor“.
After a period of training at the A. I. F. (Australian Imperial Force) Depot, Broadmeadows (and 11 days in hospital with “influenza” – likely the Spanish Flu), Clement embarked at Adelaide on HMAT A36 ‘Boonah‘ on 22 October 1918 as part of the 14th General Victorian Reinforcements (‘RNFTS V‘), however less than a month later World War One ended, so the troopship ‘Boonah‘ was recalled and Clement disembarked in Australia on approximately 20 December 1918. He was discharged from the A. I. F. on 1 February 1919 and returned to live in Moe, Gippsland. Clement was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal for his services.
In March 1938, Clement announced his engagement to Lori Vinge Trevena; he was living in Manar, Kyabram at the time. A year later, on 30 September 1939, coinciding with the beginning of World War Two, they married at St Alban’s Church, Manar Kyabram (The ‘Herald‘ on 30 September 1939 reported “Anstey-Trevena: The marriage was quietly celebrated this afternoon of Lori Vinge. eldest daughter of Mr W. J. Trevena, of Loch, and the late Mrs Trevena, with Clements Zouclh, youngest son of the late Mr. and Mrs George Anstey, of “Manor,” Kyabram. The ceremony took place at St. Alban’s Church, Orrong Road. Armadale, and the officiating clergy man was Canon Baglin.“). They had at least three children together.
Clement died in 1967 in Croydon, Victoria. His wife Lori died in 2001, the ‘Herald Sun‘ newspaper reporting “ANSTEY. – Lori Binge, wife of the late Clements Zouch Anstey Loving mother of Jill, Leigh and Adrian, Nana to David, Anna and Ken. Died peacefully at Stephenson House Nursing Home, Berwick on Aug. 9, 2001, aged 98 years. For funeral details please refer Tuesdays paper.“
Anybody who would like to add anything to this biography, please contact us at research@theansteystory.com.
The Complete Anstey Story - From 1143 to Modern Times 