John Clark (Clarke)

The Battalion arrived at Le Havre on the 14/08/1914 as Army Troops. On the 05/09/1914 they were part of the 1st Brigade, 1st Division. On the 18th September the Battalion took part in the Battle of Epehy. John received his wounds at the Battle of the St. Quentin Canal which was a phase during the Battles of the Hindenburg Line : 12th September - 12th October 1918. A series of very large scale offensive operations that advance to and break the Hindenburg Line system. Carried out by the First, Third and Fourth Armies these victories rank among the greatest-ever British military achievements. The German Army fights on but it is increasingly clear that their ability to do so is declining fast. Canadian, Australian, New Zealand and United States Divisions all play key parts. SEE PHOTOS x 11 FOR THE BATTALION WAR DIARY SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 1918. The War Diary for casualties in September 1918 states - Officers Killed 4, Wounded 6, Other Ranks Killed 39, Wounded 194, Died of Wounds 13, Gassed 39, Missing 3. John is listed as CLARK on the Coatbridge Memorial but CLARKE on the 1911 Census, his Grave and from the CWGC. Many thanks to Michael Small who provided the 1911 Census Record and information. See photos for John's Medal Index Card, the 1911 Census, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls, his CWGC Grave Registration x 2, his Headstone Report, Tincourt New British Cemetery, the Cameron Highlanders Cap Badge, John's Pension Records x 2 and the 1st Division Order of Battle x 12 (the Division John was with when he died).