World War I Victoria Cross Recipient. Born in Winford, England, he served in the British Army during World War I as a Sergeant Major in the 15th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers. He was awarded the VC for his bravery during the attack at Happegarbes, France, on November 2, 1918. His citation reads “When in command of a platoon, he led his men forward with great determination, and, on being held up by heavy machine-gun fire, rushed forward through a thick, strongly held ridge, captured in succession four machine guns, and single-handed bayonetted the crews. Later, he led the remnants of his platoon to the capture of three machine guns and many prisoners. In the later stages of the attack on the same day, when his platoon was held up by enemy machine guns, he successfully led a Tank against them over very exposed ground. Continuing the attack on 3rd November, after capturing many prisoners and gaining his objective, he organised his line most skilfully and held up the enemy. On 4th November, in the attack on the Oise-Sambre Canal, under heavy fire from the Canal bank, he rushed forward with a Lewis gun team in the face of an intense barrage, brought the gun into action, effectively silenced the enemy's fire, thus enabling his company to advance and gain their objectives. Throughout the whole of these operations Sjt. Clarke acted with magnificent bravery and total disregard of personal safety, and by his gallantry and high sense of duty set an inspiring example to all ranks”. He was awarded the Victoria Cross by King George V at Buckingham Palace in February 1919. He died at age 54 from pneumonia in Rochdale, England, and his Victoria Cross medal is on display in the Lord Ashcroft Gallery at the Imperial War Museum, London, England.
World War I Victoria Cross Recipient. Born in Winford, England, he served in the British Army during World War I as a Sergeant Major in the 15th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers. He was awarded the VC for his bravery during the attack at Happegarbes, France, on November 2, 1918. His citation reads “When in command of a platoon, he led his men forward with great determination, and, on being held up by heavy machine-gun fire, rushed forward through a thick, strongly held ridge, captured in succession four machine guns, and single-handed bayonetted the crews. Later, he led the remnants of his platoon to the capture of three machine guns and many prisoners. In the later stages of the attack on the same day, when his platoon was held up by enemy machine guns, he successfully led a Tank against them over very exposed ground. Continuing the attack on 3rd November, after capturing many prisoners and gaining his objective, he organised his line most skilfully and held up the enemy. On 4th November, in the attack on the Oise-Sambre Canal, under heavy fire from the Canal bank, he rushed forward with a Lewis gun team in the face of an intense barrage, brought the gun into action, effectively silenced the enemy's fire, thus enabling his company to advance and gain their objectives. Throughout the whole of these operations Sjt. Clarke acted with magnificent bravery and total disregard of personal safety, and by his gallantry and high sense of duty set an inspiring example to all ranks”. He was awarded the Victoria Cross by King George V at Buckingham Palace in February 1919. He died at age 54 from pneumonia in Rochdale, England, and his Victoria Cross medal is on display in the Lord Ashcroft Gallery at the Imperial War Museum, London, England.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
Inscription
V.C.
Gravesite Details
Interred with his brother-in-law, Air Mechanic 2nd class, Fred Butterworth IRVINE who died from tuberculosis, contracted whilst on active service in Egypt. He died on July 10th 1918.
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