CLOWE, Clarrie

Clarrie "Mick" Clowe was a centre half-back who came from Carlton where he played 12 games in 1920 and 1921. A flour miller by trade he had begun his football career with VFA club Brunswick before moving to Carlton in 1920. His late start (aged 27) was due to his service in World War I.

He enlisted on 19th August 1914 and was assigned to the 7th Infantry Battalion. By the end of April 1915 he was fighting at Gallipoli and, after the withdrawal, was on the Western Front. His leadership qualities were soon recognised and he rose from corporal in December 1915 to sergeant a year later. In 1917, he was promoted in the field to 2nd Lieutenant after the bloody but victorious Battle of Menin Road. He later graduated from the Officer Training Unit and spent the next few years in a range of training roles, including a stint at the 8th Corps Pigeon School. He returned home at the end of 1918.

After two years with Carlton, he joined Essendon where he played five games in late 1922.

Clowe died on 10th October, 1980.