South Warwickshire Family History Society War Memorial Transcription Project

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The Fallen Men of South Warwickshire - World War One


Sergeant 241532 Victor Frederick CLARKE DCM - 2nd/8th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment

Died of Wounds on Sunday 18th November 1917 aged 22


Military History

     
Theatre of War Medals Commonwealth War Grave or Memorial
France & Flanders British War & Victory Medals Duisans British Cemetery
     
Arrived in Theatre Medal Citation (if app) SWFHS Area Memorials
After 1 January 1916 ~ Studley War Memorial
     
Action, Battle or Other Reason Killed Date and Place Enlisted  
Local Actions near Arras Nov/Dec 1915 in Reddich  
     
Place of Death Previous Regiments or Units Other War Memorials 
8th Casualty Clearing Station at Duisans ~  
     

Citation for Distinguished Conduct Medal

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in leading his party in a raid into the enemy trench and attacking and killing two parties of the enemy. He then got his men on to the enemy parapet and drove back a counter-attack across the open. When seriously wounded he re-organised his party
and handed over to his corporal. (Gazette)


Circumstances of Death

Victor is listed as dying of wounds on 18th November 1917. He is buried at Duisans British Cemetery which was used for burials by the 8th Casualty Clearing Station. We believe that Victor was wounded during a raid on enemy lines on 15th November. The 2/8th Battalion war diary for the period 13th to 19th is transcribed below - please note that the Report mentioned on the 15th is not in the war diary file.

France – 13 Nov 1917: Working parties – Musketry & training

France – 14 Nov 1917: Working parties – Musketry & training

Frampoux – 15 Nov 1917: Working parties – Musketry & training. Raid on enemy trenches east of Fampoux. See Operations Order No 28 also copy report on raid [NB – neither the Order nor the Report are found in the diary].

Killed OR 3; missing OR 1; wounded 2/Lt F.W. Fry & 10 OR (1 at duty). 10 to CCS.

France – 16 Nov 1917: Working parties & Musketry meeting. 1 OR to CCS. Lt R.B. Forsyth taken on strength of Battn having been noted as gone to England in error by base.

France – 17 Nov 1917: Musketry meeting

France – 18 Nov 1917: Church Parade

France – 19 Nov 1917: Working parties. Brigade Boxing Comp, Pte Clarke won heavy weight competition. Prizes in Musketry Best Rifleman section; Best rifle grenade section; Best L.G. section; Best Sniper section Officer Individual Lt Brown.

Sgt Clarke died of wounds.



 Personal & Family History

 

Birth Date/Place Baptism Date/Place
Apr Qtr 1895 in Redditch         02 Jun 1895 in Redditch
   
Parents Names Abode
Albert (deceased) and Lucy Clarke Littlewood Green, Studley                  
   
Schools Colleges
  ~
   
Address History Employment History
1895 - 2 Lodge Road, Redditch 1901 - School age
1901 - 4 Sumner Street, Upper Ipsley 1911 - Fishing reel maker  
1911 - Littlewood Green, Studley  
1915 - Littlewood Green, Studley