[1] Born in Bowraville, New South Wales Elias followed his older brother Leaton to an education at St Joseph's College, Hunters Hill.
Leaton had played in the school's first XV rugby side in all three of his senior years from 1926 to 1928[2] and Clyde, a giant of a lad, emulated that feat.
Clyde played schoolboy rugby in the open division in all five of his years at St Joseph's starting at aged 14 in 1928.
[6] The NSW Police Rowing Club was formed in 1933 and erected a shed on Blackwattle Bay.
[9] Elias rowed on after the Olympics and in 1937 made state selection in the New South Wales men's eight which contested and placed second in the King's Cup at the Interstate Regatta.