Robert Clyde Gracie (Uncle Spid)

Spid was born in Aratapu on 8 August 1918. He was the fourth surviving son of Arthur and Minnie Gracie and second youngest in the family. Born Robert Clyde, he used the name Clyde but was known to friends and family as “Spid”. This was short for “spider”, as he was tall and of lean build. Spid was about six years old when the family moved from Aratapu down to Auckland. His grandparents’ house had been extended to accommodate the large family, but things were still pretty cramped. He was allocated a couch in the kitchen to sleep on, with brother Harry (Bunny) taking another couch. The plus side of this arrangement was that the wood range was in the corner of the kitchen and it would have been the warmest room in winter.

Spid was not much of a scholar and was know to wag a bit. The headmaster apparently said he was wasting his time at school, so Nana organised an apprenticeship with local builder John Hall and Spid went to work for him.

He was very keen on dance bands and would go to the local dances with brothers Len and Bunny, although he never actually learned to dance himself. There is no mention of any girlfriends, but given that Spid was a tall, dark and handsome lad, as well as a bit of a character, I think he may have just played this one close to his chest.

World War 2 started in September 1939 and it was just a matter of time before Spid was called up. Following basic training, he and Len sailed together for the Middle East in 1941. They were both destined to serve with 24 Battalion in Egypt against Erwin Rommel’s renowned Afrika Corps in the battle of El Alamein, although not in the same units.

 


 
On Tuesday 21 July 1942, the second battle of El Alamein commenced with an attack against the Germans. Unfortunately the armour supporting the infantry was late arriving and 700 allied soldiers were killed. Spid may have been wounded initially, but the next day, a little over two weeks short of his 24th birthday, he died. At around the same time, his older brother Len was badly wounded and evacuated to the rear. Mum was working at Greenlane Hospital when she was told. My cousin Bev was at Nana's house in Glenfield when the news was delivered, and she can remember Nana and Aunty Margie crying quietly, and not understanding what was wrong.
While stationed in Cairo, Spid had a souvenir photograph taken at Studio Victory in Maleka Farida St., across the road from the NZ Services Club. No doubt many Kiwi servicemen did the same.

On leave with a couple of mates in Beirut Final leave to NZ 1942 Spid's grave in Egypt
 
Spid was buried in the Commonwealth Cemetery in Egypt. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission lists him as Clyde Gracie. His name is displayed at the Auckland War Memorial Museum.