Nambour RSL Honours ‘forgotten’ Anzac hero
From left, Lex Nosworthy, Nambour RSL Sub-Branch President Kim Symmons, Secretary Steve Pallot and Nambour RSL Pastor Kerry Evans attended Quota Park Nambour on April 4 in a ceremony to honour Claude Nosworthy and his plaque installation.
Claude Nosworthy
We will remember him:
Claude Bonner Nosworthy was an Anzac veteran who survived the campaigns in Gallipoli, the Middle East, and the Western Front during World War I. However, tragedy struck in 1922 when he died while attempting to rescue swimmers caught in a rip at Maroochydore.
An inquiry revealed the cause of death as a broken neck. He was buried in the Nambour Cemetery. Regarded as a local hero, a substantial monument was erected for him, subscribed by returned soldiers and the local community.
Claude will now be remembered alongside his fellow servicemen with a new plaque at Memorial Park.
The photograph is believed to have been taken in Egypt post-Gallipoli – Claude and his mate, in front, are in fresh Lighthorse / Artillery gear (post-Gallipoli), whereas younger brother Ralph and his friend at rear appear to be in Artillery / Infantry dress. At this time, younger brother, Ralph (Ralph Collins Nosworthy, 8984), who had enlisted in the 2nd Division Ammunition Column (2 DAC), was in Egypt January-March 1916, for training and bound for France, so this picture could only have been taken over this time. Notable is the more knowing look on the faces of the men in front who had evidently seen action, whereas the cheerful newcomers at rear are yet to do so.
Now the Nambour RSL is rejuvenating the memory of one the long-forgotten hero with the installation of a plaque in Quota Park Nambour. In addition, Claude’s great nephew, Lex Nosworthy will give this year’s Anzac Day Dawn Service.
“He did his time, he served for the full length of the Gallipoli campaign in the Middle East and the Western Front, and survived unscathed, which was in itself a miracle,” said Nambour RSL Secretary Steve Pallot.
“Then he tragically drowned attempting to save some struggling bathers. And the next day was the day that he was meant to tie up the ownership of a block of land. He was getting married and going to settle down. So he’s gone through the whole of the First World War pretty much unscathed, only for his life to be taken in an accident where he was trying to save others.
“Claude was obviously very well thought of within the community. Because back in 1922 the community and the Nambour Sub-Branch paid for the memorial down at the Nambour Cemetery. It’s still there but it’s not in real good condition. And so that’s why we took upon ourselves to advise Lex that we’d be happy to put in for a new plaque, at least, to put on the wall for him.”
Mervyn Claude Nosworthy, born in 1929, is Claude’s nephew and namesake (being the eldest son of Claude’s youngest brother, Mervyn Ernest Nosworthy). He is pictured at Claude’s gravesite at Nambour Cemetery. The Nosworthy family is deeply appreciative of the guidance, support and interest from the Nambour RSL in Claude’s story and for recognising him on the Nambour Wall of Remembrance in 2023.
Lex said he was extremely proud of his great Uncle. “He landed with the Second Light Horse in Gallipoli from early May through to the evacuation. He joined the artillery in Egypt. In April 1916, like many of the Light Horse men, he joined 5th Division (Artillery) Ammunition Column destined for France, variously as driver and gunner. As the guns and wagons were hauled by teams of horses, experienced horse-handlers were essential to keep the artillery working. From mid-1916, 5th Divisional artillery supported operations at Fromelles and Flers, and the Somme area generally, and then the major Australian operations over 1917 and 1918.
“So it was quite remarkable that he survived really. And it’s been a story that’s been forgotten even by parts of his family. So when this opportunity came up to tell his story, I feel very proud to be able to do that – privileged.”
‘Come and help get these women out’
A news report in the Nambour Chronicle in 1922 said the last words Nosworthy, then 31, was heard to say were “Come and help get these women out” to his mate Dave Barclay, a fellow returned serviceman. They were resting on the sand when Nosworthy noticed two ladies and a man in difficulties some distance away.
Local subscription for the substantial memorial was raised from community and returned diggers. Claude was clearly regarded a local hero, both for his wartime service and the selfless manner of his death. Unfortunately, the grave has since turned to disrepair.
The report said Nosworthy was the eighth man to enlist in Queensland and survived right through the war without a wound “though in the thickest of it whenever the chance occurred”.
“He was claimed to have been the man who was the longest serving of the whole army on Gallipoli. On the evacuation he came away with the last batch. In France he went into the last big push with his home leave docket in his pocket and came away without most of his mates. After such a death-defying record it is a remarkable instance of fatalism that he should have met death so suddenly.”