The sadness of this story is that not only did Edward Claude Perkins lose his life as an under age soldier, but equally, a mother and father were reminded of their son’s death and sacrifice till the time of their own deaths. Claude’s brothers and sisters also grieved for a longer period.
Contents
The Department of Defence Correspondence
When Claude passed away, the activities and correspondence that occurred between the Department of Defence and the Claude’s mother Mary is both interesting, sad and insensitive.
It provides insight into understanding the social fabric of family units, assumed guardianship, and recognition of paternal guardianship vs maternal guardianship.
The main points to observe are the correspondence that identifies the beneficiaries of the medals. It seems the will had no relative specifically nominated to receive the medals, see the letter on the 09 December 1921.
My great great grandmother Mary was not allowed to receive the medals as she was not consider the closest blood relative to Claude.
The father was considered to be the closest blood relative, something that would not stand up to scrutiny in this day and age! Mary had to write to the Department of Defence to confirm that his father was alive and lived at that address.
Other correspondence of significance is the request to Department of Defence to have a few words placed on his permanent headstone.
There is no sign that this request was processed, however go the page “Visiting the grave” you’ll see what was written on Claude’s headstone.
For further information about Claude’s official records and correspondence go to the official records page here.
The Sydney Morning Herald
Claude was dearly loved by his parents Tom and Mary and by his elder sisters and brothers, Maude, Ida, Elizabeth and William and Herbert.From 1916 through to 1937 the family paid for a small ad in the “Family Notices” section to remember Claude. No doubt the Sydney Morning Herald assisted this process and sent reminder notices about the previous years advertisement, however, it served the purposes for people to remember loved ones.
Claude’s parents passed away in 1929 and 1930. After this period his sisters and brothers paid for a small notice and as the years rolled on the notice was rolled into one which include Claude, his parents and later his older brother Herbert’s death.
| Year Published | Text | Page Identifier Date | Article Identifier |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1916 | PERKINS -Killed in action in France. Nov 8, Pte. E. C. Perkins (Claude), youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. T.H. Perkins Rendova 72 Catherine Street, Leichhardt. Until the day dawns. PERKINS.-Killed in action in France, Nov 8. Pte. E. C. Perkins (Claude), youngest brother of W.H. Perkins H.T. Perkins, Mrs. A.C. Burgh, Mrs. W H. Herrington, and Mrs. P. Rich, A young life nobly ended. | 05 December 1916 | 05 December 1916 |
| 1917 | PERKINS -In memory of our darling son Claude (Private) E C Perkins killed in action In France November 8 1916, aged 16 years 8 months. Tis only till the day breaks And all shadows flee That our dearly loved ones Face we cannot see Inserted by his sorrowing parents PERKINS- Killed in action France November 8 1916 Private Edward Claude Perkins He rose responsive to his country's call, Inserted by his loving brother and sister in law Will and Cecelia PERKINS-In loving memory of our dear brother Private (Claude) Perkins, killed in action. France November 8 1916 Somebody had to stand in front so he did Somebody had to bear the brunt the brunt, so he did. There's many a heart like ours that's sore But somebody had to pay the score so he did Inserted by his loving sister and brother in law Ida and Percy Rich also nieces and nephews PERKINS-A loving tribute to the memon of Private E C Perkins (Claude) killed In action November 8, 1916 aged 16 yeas 8 months Always lovingly remembered Inserted by his sister Maude, brother in law Alf, and niece Gwenneth Burgh PERKINS- Killed in action in France November 8 1916 Private Edward Claude Perkins beloved cousin of Eva Lovell. He heard the call, And answered nobly, PERKINS -In loving memory of our dear brother Private E C (Claude) Perkins killed in action in France, November 8, 1916. Midst the battles awful dire, With firm resolve to die or win, Our hero fell and so we mourn. Inserted by I. and W. Hcrrington | 08 November 1917 | 08 November 1917 |
| 1918 | PERKINS.-In memory of our darling youngest son, Claude, Private E. C Perkins, killed In action inFrance, November 8, 1916, Two long years since our great sorrow fell; We miss him more than words can ever tell. Inserted by his sorrowing parents. PERKINS.-In loving memory of my dear brother. Prlvate Claude Perkins. 17th Battalion, A.I.F.. killed in action France, November 8. 1910. Inserted by his loving sister and brother-ln-law, Ada and Percy Rich, also Kathleen, Phyllis. Beryl, Claud, and Jean. PERKINS.-In loving memory of our dear Claude, killed in action, Noiember 8. 1910. Not lost, but gone before. Inserted by his loving brother and sister-ln-law, Will and Cecelia, also nieces and nephew. | 08 November 1918 | 08 November 1918 |
| 1922 | PERKINS.-In loving memory of our darling son and brother, Claude E. C. Perkins, killed In action in France, November 8, 191B. Inserted by his sorrowing parents, M. J. and T. H. Perkins | 08 November 1922 | 08 November 1922 |
| 1923 | PERKINS -In loving memory of our darllng youngest son and brother, (Claude) E C. Perkins, killed In action, France, November 8, 1918. Only a step removed; We're soon again shall meet Our own, our dearly lovel, Around our Saviour's feet. Inserted by his parents, sisters, and brothers | 08 November 1923 | 08 November 1923 |
| 1924 | PERKINS -In loving memory of our darling son, Claude Perkins, 17th Battalion, killed in action November 8, 1916. Too dearly loved ever to be forgotten Inserted by his sorrowing parents. | 08 November 1924 | 08 November 1924 |
| 1925 | PERKINS.-In loving memory of our darling son. Claude, killed in action, France, November 8, 1910. Inserted by his sorrowing parents, sisters, and brothers, Rendova, Catherine Street, Leichhardt. | 08 November 1925 | 08 November 1925 |
| 1926 | PERKINS - In loving memory of our darling son Claude E.C.Perkins killed in action France, November 8 1916 Inserted by his sorrowing parents Rendova Catherine street, Leichhardt | 08 November 1926 | 08 November 1926 |
| 1927 | PERKINS.-In memory of our dear son. Claude E. C. Perkins, killed in action, France, November 8, 1916. Never forgotten by his parents, sisters, and brothers. | 08 November 1927 | 08 November 1927 |
| 1928 | PERKINS -In loving memory of our beloved son and brother, Claude E. C. Perkins, killed in action November 8 1916. Inserted by his sorrowing parents. | 08 November 1928 | 08 November 1928 |
| 1929 | PERKINS.-In loving memory of our dear son, Claude, killed In action, France, November 8, 1916. Inserted by his sorrowing parents | 08 November 1929 | 08 November 1929 |
| 1929 | PERKINS - The Relatives and Friends of Mrs. MARY JANE PERKINS are kindly invited to attend the Funeral of her late beloved HUSBAND Thomas Henry to leave her residence Rendova 72 Catherine street Leichhardt THIS (Thursday) MORNING at 0 30 o clock tor Church of England Cemetery Rookwood Motor runeral WOOD COFFILL LIMITED Motor Funeral Directors PERKINS-The Relatives and Friends of MAUDE and ALF BURGH, WILL, and CECELIA PERKINS, ELIZABETH and WILL HERRINGTON, HERBERT and ALICE PERKINS and IDA and PERCY RICH and FAMILIES are kindly Invited to attend the Funeral of their late beloved FATHLR and GRANDFATHER Thomas Henry Perkins, to leave Rendova 72 Catherine street Leichhardt THIS (Thursday) MORNING at 9. 30 for Church of England, Cemetery Rookwood WOOD COFFILL LIMITED PERKINS- The Relatlves and Friends of GWEN and HARRY MUNDY are kindly Invited to attend the funeral of their late beloved GRAND FATHER Thomas Henry Perkins, to leave Rendova 72 Catherine street Leichhardt THIS (Thursdav) MORNING at 9.30 for Church of England Cemetery Rookwood by road Motor Funeral. WOOD COFFILL LIMITED | P26 December 1929 | P26 December 1929 |
| 1929 | PERKINS.-December 24, 1929, at his residence, Rcndova. Catherine-street, Leichhardt, Thomas H., beloved husband of Mary Jane, and fond father of Maude, Will. Elisabeth, Herbert, Ida, and Claude (killed In action, late A.I.F.), late of Bowral. Peacefully sleeping. | 28 December 1929 | 28 December 1929 |
| 1930 | PERKINS -In loving memory of our dear son Claude killed In action France November 8 1916 Inserted by his sorrowing mother | 08 November 1930 | 08 November 1930 |
| 1930 | PERKINS.-The Relatives and Friends of Mr. and Mrs. A. BURGH, Mr.- and Mrs WILLIAM PERKINS, Mr. and Mrs. WILLIAM HERRINCTON, Mr. and Mrs. H. PERKINS, Mr. and Mrs. P. RICH, and FAMILIES, aro invited to attend the Funeral of their beloved MOTHER and GRANDMOTHER. Mary Jane Perkins; to leave her residence, 72 Catherine-street. Leichhardt, THIS TUESDAY, at 2.15 p m., for Church of England Cemetery, Rookwood, section 8. By road, motor funeral | Sydney Morning Herald, 02 December 1930 | Sydney Morning Herald, 02 December 1930 |
| 1930 | PERKINS -In loving memory of my dear uncle who departed this life December 24 1929 God s greatest gift remembrance Inserted by his loving niece Eva PERKINS-A tribute of love to the memory of our dear father Thomas H Perkins passed away December 24 1929 also our beloved mother Mary J Perkins passed away December 1 1930 and our brother Claude killed In action in France Novembcr 8 1916 Reunited Inserted by Maude, Will, Elizabeth, Herbert, and Ida. PERKINS-In loving memory of our dear father and grandfather Thomas Henry who departed this life December 24 1929 aged 70 years As we loved you so we miss you Inserted by his loving son and daughter In law Will and Cecilia also grandchildren Marjorie, Sylvia and Russell. Brighton le Sands December 24 1929 Today recall sad memories Of a loved one gone to rest | 24 December 1930 | 24 December 1930 |
| 1931 | PERKINS-In memory of Claude our brother killed In action (Flers) November 8 1916 son of the late T H and M J Perkins Reunited | 08 November 1931 | 08 November 1931 |
| 1932 | PERKINS-In loving memory of Claude our brother killed In Action, Flers, November 8 1916 Son of the late T H and M J Perkins Reunited. | 08 November 1932 | 08 November 1932 |
| 1933 | PERKINS -In loving memory of Claude our Brother killed In action Flers November 8 1916 son of the late T H and M J Perkins. Reunited. | 08 November 1933 | 08 November 1933 |
| 1934 | PERKINS.-In loving memory of Claude, our brother, killed In action, Flers, November 8, 1916. Son of the late T. H. and M. J. Perkins. | 08 November 1934 | 08 November 1934 |
| 1935 | PERKINS -In loving memory of Claude our brother, killed In action Flers November 8 1916 son of the late T H and M J Perkins Leichhardt | 08 November 1935 | 08 November 1935 |
| 1936 | PERKINS-Memory fadeth never and love en dureth ever of our loved parents and brothers, who passed on. mother, December 1. 1930; father, December 24 1929; Herbert, April 23, 1933; Claude (killed in action), November 8. 1916. Inserted by Maude. Will. Elizabeth, and Ida. | 05 December 1936 | 05 December 1936 |
| 1937 | PERKINS -An everlasting memory of love to to our parents and brothers: mother December 1 1930: father December 24 1929: Herbert April 23 1933: Claude (killed In action) November 8 1916. Ever dear to Maude, Will, Elizabeth and Ida. | 01 December 1937 | 01 December 1937 |
