Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of John Clark a journeyman baker, born 1859 in Inglesby, Lincolnshire and his wife Mary E. Clark, born 1864 in South Witham, Lincolnshire. George William was born in the 1st quarter of 1890 in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, in April 1891 the family home was at 11, Queen Street, Melton Mowbray. In March 1901 George was residing in the family home at 27, Queen Street, Melton Mowbray, together with his parents and siblings, Mabel Annie, born 1893 and John, born 1894, both his siblings were born in Melton Mowbray. In April 1911 George was employed as a boot maker and was residing in the family home at 27, Queen Street, Melton Mowbray, together with his father, a baker, his mother and siblings, John and Bernard, born 1907 in Melton Mowbray. George was officially recorded at birth with the surname spelling of Clark, however the surname spelling of Clarke is used extensively, both by George and other members of his family.
George attested into the Army on a Short Service engagement (For the Duration of the War.) on the 8th May 1915 in Melton Mowbray. He gave his home address as 27, Queen Street, Melton Mowbray, his age as 25 years and 124 days and his trade or calling as shoe maker. He confirmed that he was unmarried. He gave his father, John Clarke of 27, Queen Street, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 8 inches in height and he had a chest measurement of between 33 and 35 inches. His record of service began when he joined the Depot of the King’s Royal Rifle Corps at Winchester as a Rifleman, service number R/12647 on the 11/5/15. Posted to the 5th Battalion King’s Royal Rifle Corps on the 14/5/15. Charged at Sheerness with the offence, that whilst on active service absent off pass from tattoo 8/8/15 until tattoo 9/8/15, sentenced to an admonishment on the 10/8/15. Posted to the 1st Battalion King’s Royal Rifle Corps on the 29/3/16. Embarked from Southampton to join the British Expeditionary Force in France on the 31/3/16. Landed Rouen on the 1/4/16. Joined the 2nd Infantry Brigade Depot at Rouen on the 1/4/16. Proceeded to join the 1st Battalion King’s Royal Rifle Corps, in the field on the 5/4/16. Joined the 1st Battalion King’s Royal Rifle Corps, in the field on the 6/4/16. Charged with the offence, that whilst in the field, being dirty on guard mounting, i.e. having a dirty shrapnel helmet cover, sentenced to one extra guard on the 15/5/16. Admitted to Hospital on the 3/6/16. Rejoined the 1st Battalion King’s Royal Rifle Corps, in the field on the 5/6/16. Admitted to the 100th Field Ambulance in the field, suffering from scabies on the 9/11/16. Discharged to 1st Battalion King’s Royal Rifle Corps, in the field on the 11/11/16. Killed in action on the 14/11/16. During his period of service he had qualified as a Machine Gunner in the Battalion, he was awarded the British War and Victory medals.
A letter dated as being received by the Army Pay Office, Winchester on the 20th January 1917 reads as follows:-
Regtl Paymaster
Sir
If you have my son Rfm G. Clarke 1 Batt K-R-R R/12647 Pay Book in your possession would you kindly forward it on and if he has any back pay credited to him as we are in need of it and his personal effects.
Yours
J. Clarke.
George’s surviving service documents are in poor condition, and much of the finer detail relating to the period of time that he spent in the Army, is either illegible or missing, hence the sparse overall description of his military and personal family history.
The War Diary records: 14 Nov-16 – TRENCHES NORTH OF BEAUMONT HAMEL. The Battalion attacked MUNICH TRENCH at 6.00am. The detailed account is attached.
During the attack Lieutenant The Honourable F. S. TRENCH was badly wounded in the chest and arm by a shell and died of wounds a day or two later. 2nd Lieutenant’s T. U. ROYDEN and R. F. LOWNDES were killed, both whilst standing up directing the fire of the men. The latter met his death in a most unfortunate manner, falling face downwards into a shell hole half full of water after being hit. His orderly tried to rescue him, but was himself hit and had not the strength left to pull poor LOUNDES out of the water, and consequently he was drowned. Lieutenant J. H. T. LIDDELL was also badly hit in the legs and arms.
Casualties for the day – Officers:- 2 killed, 3 wounded.
Other Ranks:- 17 killed, 109 wounded (1 remaining at duty), 12 missing.
REPORT OF OPERATIONS 14th, NOVEMBER, by
1st Battalion King’s Royal Rifles.
On the 13th November, in accordance with orders received, the Battalion moved from BERTRANCOURT to proceed to the Assembly trenches. The column started at 2.05am. At 4.55am its head arrived at the junction of ELLIS SQUARE and CHEEROH AVENUE, and at 5.40am the whole Battalion was assembled in its first Battle position in CHEEROH AVENUE. At Zero (5.45am) the Battalion moved into the trenches allotted to it viz., TAMPIN, ELLIS SQUARE EAST and ELLIS SQUARE CENTRAL, (both the latter NORTH of ROMAN ROAD). Headquarters were established in ELLIS SQUARE CENTRAL with the Headquarters of the 23rd ROYAL FUSILIERS. Further orders were there awaited. At 10.25am The Commanding Officer was summoned to Brigade Headquarters where the situation was explained to him. It appeared that the 5th Brigade and the right Company of the right Battalion of the 6th Brigade had reached their objective (the GREEN LINE) but that the remainder of the 6th Brigade and the 3rd Division, on their left, had been unsuccessful and were back in their original trenches. Consequently it would probably be necessary for the 1st ROYAL BERKSHIRE REGIMENT, supported by our Battalion, to pass through the 6th Brigade and attack that portion of the GREEN LINE allotted to the 2nd Division which had not yet been captured. The Battalion was therefore ordered to be ready for an immediate move. The Commanding Officer and the Adjutant then proceeded with the Brigadier and the Brigade Major to the Headquarters of the 6th Infantry Brigade in VALLADE TRENCH to discuss arrangements. It there transpired that the 3rd Division had been ordered to re-form and to move forward again to the attack of SERRE in conjunction with the proposed attack of the 2 Battalions of the 99th Infantry Brigade, and further that General DALY had informed the 2nd Division that another frontal attack on these positions would be fruitless on account of:-
1 Heavy Machine Gun fire from SERRE.
2 Strength of enemy wire.
3 The impossibility of arranging a satisfactory barrage in view of the fact that some portions of the left Battalion of his Brigade, was still in front of our lines and that its position was unknown.
General DALY advised that it was better to enlarge the gap already made by the 5th Brigade in the enemy trenches rather than risk with a frontal attack another rebuff on the left section of the Division’s front.
After telephonic communications with the Division this plan was adopted and General KELLETT decided that, owing to the present disposition of the Brigade in the trenches, the attack should be carried out by the 22nd ROYAL FUSILIERS supported by a composite Battalion, under Lieutenant Colonel H. A. VERNON, D.S.O., consisting of 2 Companies of the 23rd ROYAL FUSILIERS and 2 Companies of the 1st Battalion KING’S ROYAL RIFLE CORPS, (Two, Companies of the 23rd ROYAL FUSILIERS had already reinforced the 5th Brigade). The attack was ordered to be carried out as soon as possible, and Lieutenant Colonel H. A. VERNON, D.S.O., was summoned to join the conference at the Headquarters of the 22nd ROYAL FUSILIERS, WHITE CITY. Preliminary plans for the attack were discussed and the conference adjourned to the 5th Infantry Brigade Headquarters, also at the WHITE CITY, to make final arrangements. There they were informed that this attack was cancelled as it was necessary for a defensive flank to be formed immediately by a Battalion of the 99th Infantry Brigade in order to protect the left of the forward position now held by the Division. The defensive flank was to face NORTH and the Brigade ordered the 22nd ROYAL FUSILIERS to carry out this operation. Simultaneously orders were received that 2 Battalions of the 99th Brigade were to form up behind the 5th Brigade and pass through them to the attack and capture MUNICH TRENCH. The attack was to be carried out as soon as possible. The Brigade decided that this attack should be carried out by the 1st ROYAL BERKSHIRE REGIMENT and the 1st KING’S ROYAL RIFLE CORPS. On the suggestion of the Commanding Officer the Brigade represented to the Division that the lateness of the hour (3.00pm), and the present disposition in the trenches of the Battalions concerned, made it desirable that the attack should be postponed to the following morning. This suggestion was accepted. The conference dispersed. At about 7.00pm the Commanding Officer attended Brigade Headquarters to discuss plans for the attack. Operation Orders were issued by the 99th Brigade at 10.00pm. Under these orders, the Brigade (less 22nd ROYAL FUSILIERS) were to pass through the 5th Brigade on the GREEN LINE and capture and consolidate MUNICH TRENCH from Q.6.a.6.0 to K.36.c.2.5 and form a defensive flank facing NORTH from the latter point along the Communication Trench running from MUNICH TRENCH to SERRE TRENCH at K.35.d.5.8. The attack was to be carried out by the 1st KING’S ROYAL RIFLE CORPS (on the right) and the 1st ROYAL BERKSHIRE REGIMENT (on the left), with the 23rd ROYAL FUSILIERS in support, 2 Companies of the last named supporting the 1st KING’S ROYAL RIFLE CORPS and the 1st ROYAL BERKSHIRE REGIMENT were to be formed up on the GREEN LINE in readiness for the attack at Zero minus 1 hour. The objective was MUNICH TRENCH from Q.6.a.5.0 to the trench junction on WAGON ROAD at K.36.c.2.6. The dividing line between the Battalions in the attack was a line drawn from Q.5.a.8.0 to Q.6.a.3.9 (inclusive to the 1st KING’S ROYAL RIFLE CORPS). A defensive flank was to be formed by the 1st ROYAL BERKSHIRE REGIMET along the Communication Trench parallel to and NORTH of LAGEE ALLEY K.36.c.2.6 to the GREEN LINE at K.35.d.4.9. The orders issued to Company Commanders by the Officer Commanding 1st KING’S ROYAL RIFLE CORPS were as follows:-
Companies would move at 1.00am from their assembly trenches in TAUPIN AND ELLIS SQUARE in the order “C,” “A,” “D,” 1 sub-section of the MACHINE GUN CORPS “B” and the Headquarters Lewis Guns, along ROMAN ROAD to the 6th AVENUE down the Old British Line. The right of “C” Company was to rest on NORTH STREET and the left of “A” Company on 6th AVENUE. These two Companies were to move forward to the GREEN LINE and as soon as they were clear of the Old British Line their positions there were to be taken up by “D” and “B” Companies. The MACHINE GUN CORPS sub-section was to be with the rear wave of “D” Company, and the Headquarters Lewis Guns, under 2nd Lieutenant R. F. LOWNDES, were to be with the rear wave of “B” Company. The attack formation was to be 4 waves, each of 2 half Companies. All were to be in position behind the GREEN LINE at Zero minus 1 hour, the left flank to direct. Battalion Headquarters were to be in WHITE CITY. At 1.00am Companies commenced to move in accordance with orders. Some delay occurred in 6th AVENUE owing to other troops being in the trench and it was 5.55am before all the assaulting waves were in position for the attack. The leading wave was about 200 yards in front of the GREEN LINE. (This position was taken up in order to conform with the position taken up by the left Battalion of the Brigade). In the meantime Battalion Headquarters left ELLIS SQUARE at 2.15am and was established in WHITE CITY at 3.15am. At 5.00am our Artillery barrage commenced and the waves advanced to the attack. It was dark and subsequently misty; even at 7.30am it was only possible to see for a distance of about 150 – 200 yards. None of the Officers or N.C.O.’s had ever seen the objective or the ground over which the attack was being made and added to these difficulties the Artillery barrage on our right flank was 100 yards in advance of that on our left. It is therefore not surprising that the attack lost direction. It first moved in a South Easterly direction and afterwards in a North Easterly direction and at about 6.30am two simultaneous attacks were delivered each from the SOUTH, one on LEAVE AVENUE and the other on NEW TRENCH, both of which were captured. These attacks are described below.
[1] Attack on LEAVE AVENUE – 4 Officers and 80 N.C.O.’s, and men attacked this trench from the South at 6.30am, captured it, and proceeded with its consolidation under the impression that they were in MUNICH TRENCH. Bombing posts were established on the Eastern and Western flanks, the Eastern post being about 80 yards short of the junction of LEAVE AVENUE with MUNICH TRENCH. When it was discovered that the trench was not MUNICH TRENCH a bombing attack on that trench was at once organised. This attack did not succeed because.
[a] Our Artillery barrage continued to rest on MUNICH TRENCH and LEAVE AVENUE, being especially severe at the junction of the two trenches.
[b] The party was heavily sniped from MUNICH TRENCH.
For these reasons and also because it was not possible to get into touch with other troops on either the North or South a withdrawal was made to the SUNKEN ROAD. This was completed at 1.30pm. In this attack 62 prisoners, including 2 Officers, were taken.
[ii] Attack on NEW TRENCH – This trench was attacked from the South (apparently by two independent parties. One party made its way to about 30 yards from the junction of NEW TRENCH and MUNICH TRENCH. The other party, when they discovered they were not in their objective, decided to make an attack on MUNICH TRENCH, and the 40 men were lined out in shell holes South of NEW TRENCH about 150 yards from and facing MUNICH TRENCH. As our barrage was still on that trench the attack was abandoned and preparations for digging in were made. As soon as the mist lifted it was apparent that the party was in an impossible position, as the party was in direct enfilade fire from the enemy and was not in touch with troops on either flank. It was therefore decided to withdraw and the withdrawal began between 9 and 9.30am, down NEW TRENCH under fire from our own Artillery. The other party already in NEW TRENCH was withdrawn at the same time. The withdrawal was effected without a single casualty. Both parties were then reformed behind the SUNKEN ROAD and after consultation with the Officer Commanding the 17th Battalion ROYAL FUSILIERS a position was taken up in the SUNKEN ROAD. At 1.30pm the party from LEAVE AVENUE joined this detachment. The Battalion then proceeded to consolidate the position: a good deep trench was dug. Two Companies of the 23rd Battalion ROYAL FUSILIERS were entrenched immediately in rear of the Battalion and at 3.00pm the 6th Battalion BEDFORDSHIRE REGIMENT and the 11th Battalion ROYAL WARWICKSHIRE REGIMENT arrived and remained in the SUNKEN ROAD. The position taken up viz., from Q.5.d.4.8 to about Q.5.a.6.5 was held until orders were received for the Battalion to withdraw to the Old British Line and occupy the line STIRLING TRENCH, GREEN STREET, VALLADE. This was effected about 5.00am on the 15th. At 3.00pm on the 17th the Battalion in accordance with orders left the trenches for MAILLY MAILLET WOOD East.
APPENDIX “A” showing the times of various events is attached.
On Friday December 1st 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL MEN IN THE CASUALTY LISTS.” - “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – MORE MELTONIANS KILLED. - RIFLEMAN G. W. CLARKE. – We are sorry to learn that Rifleman George W. Clarke, of the King’s Royal Rifles, was killed in action on Nov. 14th. The sad news reached his parents in the following letter which they received on Tuesday morning.:- “15th Nov., 1916. Dear Mrs Clarke, - Just a few lines hoping this will find you and all at home quite well. I am afraid I have some very bad news for you. Your son George was killed in action yesterday, the 14th. I can assure you everything possible was done for him by myself and the rest of his gun team. Thank God he did not suffer much, and was buried decently. Our gun officer was killed just afterwards. I am afraid I have put it in a very blunt way, but I do not quite know how to express myself. I shall be sending you on his letters and notebook, that is if I get out safely, for we are attacking again this morning and George was my chum, so I am anyhow. I have just had to dig myself in, as the Bosche shells are bursting too close to be pleasant. I will write you a letter containing more news as soon as I get out. ---- Believe me dear Mrs. Clarke, yours very sincerely, G. Payne.” Deceased was the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Clarke, 27, Queen-st., Melton Mowbray, and was 26 years of age. He served his apprenticeship with Mr. W. Leader, boot and shoe maker and repairer, Nottingham-st, and remained in his employ for nine years, afterwards working about three years for Messrs. W. Rowell and Sons. He was very keen on sport, being a prominent member of the Melton Swifts and Asfordby Football Clubs, while he also at one time played for Melton Athletic. He was also one of the best sprinters Melton has produced in recent years, and won quite a number of prizes at local events. Rifleman Clarke enlisted in the King’s Royal Rifles in April, 1915, as an infantryman, but was afterwards transferred to the machine gun section. He went out to the front last March.
On Friday December 22nd 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL MEN IN THE CASUALTY LISTS.” - The following casualties amongst local men are officially reported. All are Private’s except where otherwise shown. The town shown against each soldier’s name is the home of his next-of-kin. From Wednesday’s list:- KILLED. KING’S ROYAL RIFLE CORPS. Clarke, 12647 G. W. (Melton Mowbray).