John William Clark
In 1911 he was an office boy.
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
John William Clark was born in 1897 at Nottingham, he was the son of William a gas labourer for the corporation and Elizabeth Clark née Williamson and the brother of Harriet, May and Fred Clark 538 Berridge Road West, Hyson Green, Nottingham.
His father William was born in 1856 at Nottingham, his mother Elizabeth Williamson was born in 1859 at Nottingham, they were married on 29th Mrch 1879 at St Leodegarius Church, Basford, they went on to have 10 children, sadly 3 were to die in infancy or early childhood.
In the 1911 census the family lived at 10 Enfield Street Basford Nottingham at which time William 55 yrs was a gas labourer he is living with his wife Elizabeth 52 yrs and their children, Harriett 19 yrs a slip winder, May 16 yrs a tailoress John William 14 years of age and an office boy also for the corporation. and Fred 11 yrs a scholar.
John attested on 28th August 1914 he gave his age as 18 years and 267 days and that his occupation was that of a clerk. He served on the home front from 28th August 1914 until 21st August 1915. .He joined the British Expeditionary Force on 27th August 1915. and served on the Western Front until 8th November 1917 during which time he was awarded the Military Medal on 1st January 1917. He was promoted to Corporal on 9th May 1917 . His service record shows he then served in Italy from 9th November 1917 he returned to France on 25th August 1918, he was killed in action on 23rd October 1918 during heavy Gemrna shelling whilst the battalion was moving forward for the attack at Fontaine-au-Bois, France.
Buried : Highland Cemetery, Le Cateau, France. Plot 8. Row D. Grave 10.
He was awarded the Military Medal, London Gazette 9.12.1916., “On October 1st 1916, in front of Flers Le Sars, for conspicuous gallantry. This N.C.O. prior to and during the attack after repeated attempts eventually established communication between O.G.2 and Battalion advanced Headquarters. The wires were broken repeatedly by shell fire and this N.C.O. acted as runner from his company Headquarters on O.G.1. He laid a completely new wire in O.G.2 Early in the morning of the 2nd October 1916 it was entirely due to his perseverance and good work that communication was established"
additional research and information Peter Gillings
Photo of John William Clark
Clark John William grave at Highland Cemetery, Le Cateau, France courtesy of 'Len' and find a grave website