William Clarke

William Clarke re-enlisted on 15 August 1914 for a period of 4 years. He was aged 22 years 148 days and 5 feet 7 inches. He had previously served as a special reservist in 4th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment) and discharged as 'time served'. On 1 May 1915 he was posted to the 1st Battalion in France and entered theatre on 18 May 1915 and probably arrived at the battalion on 23 May, when 114 all ranks joined. His service: 20/4/15 - 21 days Field Punishment No2 - drunkenness; 3/7/16 - 23 DRS - right knee injury - 3/7/16 to 25 Field Ambulance, then 19 FA and on 12/7/1916 back to duty. Granted leave 27/11/16 to 7/12/16 (also mentions 1/11/16 to 10/11/16) 24/1/1917 - Awarded 28 days FP No1 for drink. Later another FP for drinking. On 17th the Foresters moved by rail and road to Brandhoek (Ypres), and thence on the 19th to Wiletje, going up almost immediately from there to the front line as supporting battalion in the sector just north of Passchendaele. On the following day the battalion was holding the line and was subjected to very heavy shelling, the casualties, mainly in 'B' and 'D' companies being not far short of 90. Theroretically the Battle of Ypres was over some ten days or more, but fighting and death did not sensibly diminish' William was one 14 killed that day. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial.

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