Military History

Embarked Albany per HMAT ‘Port Melbourne’ A16 for 23.7.1917.
Roll Rank Private.
Roll Unit 21st Reinforcements, 28th Battalion, Australian Imperial Force (AIF).
Klemm was admitted to the ship’s hospital with Acute Rheumatism. He disembarked at Liverpool 16.9.1917 and marched in to 7th Training Battalion at Rollestone 17.9.1917. He proceeded overseas to France via Southampton 22.1.1918. He disembarked at Havre and marched in to the the 6th Training Bn. at Fovant 8.11.1917.  Klemm marched into the Australian Divisional Brigade Depot (ADBD) and was transferred to 16th Battalion. 12.2.1918. His serial number was re allotted as 7084A. Klemm was taken on strength in the field 29.1.1918.  The 16th Bn. fought at Villers-Bretonneaux in April 1918. However, they had been relieved from the front line duty and were at camp at Blangey, when Klemm suffered an accidental gunshot wound to his right leg 11.5.1918. He was transferred by the 12th Australian Field Ambulance 11.5.1918, to the 5th Casualty Clearing Station and then taken to the 3rd Stationary Hospital  at Rouen 15.5.1918. Hospital Ship 'Guildford Castle' and invalided to England 16.5.1918. Klemm was admitted to Exeter Hospital with a gunshot wound to his right leg 17.5.1918. He was discharged to Harefield Auxilliary Hospital.  Klemm was deemed unfit for active service and listed for early return to Australia.
Embarked for Australia via Suez per HT ‘Czaritza’ 6.3.1919. Transhipped from Suez to Australia per ‘Dunluce Castle’ 7.4.1919.
Returned/Disembarked Fremantle 6.5.1919.
Discharged 18.6.1919.
Final Rank Private, 16th Battalion Australian Imperial Force (AIF)
Medical Condition Invalided, gunshot wound to right leg.
Awards and Medals British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Notes   HMAT 'Port Melbourne' carried Australian troops under the name of HMAT 'Star of Victoria' A16 prior to 1916
Photos HMAT 'Port Melbourne'. Photographer Josiah Barnes. Photograph sourced from AWM B0259
             3rd Command Depot, Hurdcott, near Fovant, Wiltshire 1916. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM C00610
              Rollestone, live grenade throwing practice. Photographer Dowes H. album, photograph source AWM P10688.011.002
              Australian Troops in trenches near Villers-Bretonneux May 1918. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM E04828
              No. 1 Harefield House and Hospital. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM P02402.005
              HMAT 'Dunluce Castle'. Photograph donor M. Marrinon, photograph source AWM P01114.009

Information Source
AWM B0259. HMAT 'Port Melbourne'. Photographer Josiah Barnes. Photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM  C00610. 3rd Command Depot, Hurdcott, near Fovant, Wiltshire 1916. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM P10688.011.002. Rollestone, live grenade throwing practice. Photographer Dowes H. album, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM E04828. Australian Troops in trenches near Villers-Bretonneux May 1918. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM P02402.005. No. 1 Harefield House and Hospital. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced rom the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM P01114.009. HMAT 'Dunluce Castle'. Photograph donor M. Marrinon, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM Embarkation Roll- Otto Max Paul Klemm
Guildford Primary School Honour Roll
Guildford War Memorial
NAA: B2455, Klemm O M P
Wise H. and Coy. Western Australian Post Office Directories. SLWA

72 Terrace Road, East Guildford. WA.
GTL 139 lot 22

Associated Images