Unlike his six brothers, Claude Darwen initially resisted pursuing a career at
The Bowen Independent which had been founded by his father,
William Henry Darwen (q.v.). However after undertaking a variety of jobs including mango slicing and salt shovelling, Darwen joined the
Independent in 1931. In 1950, after the death of his brother,
Ron Darwen (q.v.), he became printing manager, a role which he later passed on to his nephew,
Neil Carvolth (q.v.).