Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of John Clarke, a brick maker, born 1856 in Loughborough, Leicestershire and his wife Lucy Maria Clarke (nee Voysey, married on the 21st November 1885 in the Parish Church, Prestwold, Leicestershire), born 1865 in Dawlish, Devon. John was born on the 11th May 1897 in Loughborough, his siblings were, Charles William, a brick maker’s labourer, born in the 3rd quarter of 1887, Mary Jane, born in the 1st quarter of 1890, Selina, born in the 4th quarter of 1891, Lucy Maria, born in the 2nd quarter of 1893and Rose, born in the 1st quarter of 1895, all his siblings were born in Hoton, Leicestershire, in March 1901 the family home was at 118, Station Street, Loughborough. In April 1911 John was a schoolboy and was residing in the family home at 43, Ratcliff Road, Loughborough, together with his father, a builder’s labourer, his mother and siblings, William, a builder’s labourer, Lucy, a domestic servant, Rose, a domestic servant and Nellie, a schoolgirl, born 1902 in Loughborough. John also had the following siblings, Joseph, born 1888, Arthur, born 1900 and Gertrude, born 1903, they were all born in Loughborough.
John enlisted/attested into the Army Reserve (Special Reservists) on the 10th December 1913 in Loughborough, and was allotted the service number 11309. He gave his place of birth as Loughborough, Leicestershire and age as 17 years 214 days. His marital status was given as unmarried and his trade or calling as wheelwright.
His medical examination took place in Leicester on the 11th December 1913 and recorded his apparent age as 17 years 214 days, that he was 5 feet 5⅜ inches in height, weighed 125 lbs, had a chest measurement of between 33½ and 35½ inches, his complexion was described as fresh, he had blue eyes and his hair colour was sandy and his physical development was described as good. The following distinctive marks were noted, tattoo marks right forearm, indistinct figure of soldier. He gave his religion as Church of England.
He gave his next of kin as his father, John Clarke, mother, Lucy Clarke, brother, William Clarke, 13, Morley Street, Loughborough.
During his period of military service, the following events of note occurred: -
Posted. To 3rd Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 10/12/13.
Commenced. Drill training. 10/12/13.
Attained the age of 18 years. 11/5/14.
Mobilised. 4/8/14.
Posted. To 3rd Bn. Leicestershire Regt. 8/1/15.
Appointed Lance Corporal (unpaid). 8/1/15.
Appointed. Lance Corporal (paid). 11/1/15.
Reverted. Own request. 1/2/15.
Transferred. To 1st Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 23/2/15.
Embarked. Southampton. 23/2/15.
Landed. Rouen. 24/2/15.
Joined. 1st Bn. Leicestershire Regt. In the Field. 4/3/15.
Wounded in action. Gunshot wound, back. In the Field. 10/12/15.
Admitted. To 18th Field Ambulance. In the Field. 20/12/15.
Admitted. To 10th Casualty Clearing Station. In the Field. 21/12/15.
Transferred. To 12th Ambulance Train. In the Field. 21/12/15.
Admitted. To 1st Canadian General Hospital. 22/12/15.
Transferred. To 6th Convalescent Depot. 10/1/16.
Joined. 61st Infantry Brigade Depot. 24/1/16.
Classified “A” at 61st Infantry Brigade Depot. 1/2/16.
Joined. 1st Bn. Leicestershire Regt. In the Field. 17/2/16.
Reported sick. In the Field. 26/2/16.
Admitted. To 17th Field Ambulance. In the Field. 26/2/16.
Transferred and Admitted to Divisional Rest Station. 28/2/16.
To Duty. 5/3/16.
Re-joined. 1st Bn. Leicestershire Regt. In the Field. 5/3/16.
Wounded and remained at duty. In the Field. 2/6/16.
Admitted. To 17th Field Ambulance, wound left forearm. In the Field. 3/6/16.
To duty. 9/6/16.
Re-joined. 1st Bn. Leicestershire Regt. In the Field. 9/6/16.
Killed in action. In the Field. 15/9/16.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 10/12/13 – 22/2/15. 2 years 75 days.
Expeditionary Force, France. 23/2/15 – 15/9/16. 206 days.
Total Service. 2 years 281 days.
He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
The War Diary records: 15 Sep-16 - Battalion moved into its attack position during the night and were finally settled down and ready to attack by 4.30am. 2nd Lieutenant DAVIES attached Q 6th Division. The Commanding Officer decided to attack with “D” and “B” Companies in the front line, with “D” on the left and “B” on the right. “A” and “C” Companies formed the second line, with “A” on the left and “C” on the right. Two Lewis Guns accompanied each Company, and two were left in reserve with Battalion Headquarters. Two Bombing Squads of ten each were also formed in each Company. These squads carried the full amount of bombs, while every man also carried two Mills No.5 bombs (one in each pocket). The fighting strength of the Battalion going into action was 23 officers including (the Medical Officer and Chaplain) and 643 other ranks. About 5.50am two enemy aeroplanes appeared above us, but did not stay long. About this time also, a Tank was noticed on our right moving quietly up to the enemy’s front line. On arriving there he immediately opened fire with his machine guns, enfilading the German trench on either side. He was very heavily fired on by the enemy’s machine guns which apparently had no effect as he still continued his movements and firing. Nothing further happened till ZERO (6.20am) when the attack commenced. The leading Company’s at once advanced at the walk in from lines 30X entrance between lines. A heavy machine gun fire was immediately opened by the enemy from about T.15 b 0.4. The Support Companies followed on in the same formation 300X in the rear of the last wave of the leading Company. Battalion Headquarters moved immediately in the rear of the last wave of Support Companies. The mist and smoke was terribly thick, and allowed no observation by the Support Company’s and Battalion Headquarters as to what was exactly happening to the leading Companies. Owing to this (mist and smoke) a slight error occurred in direction. The right and left under orders to keep in touch with units attacking on our right and left, moved with these units thereby causing a small gap near our centre. This was immediately filled up by Support Companies. The Artillery barrage opened too late to do any harm as the whole of the Supports had crossed the road moving due south from GINCHY (the place where the barrage was directed) before the barrage commenced. Battalion Headquarters had by this time moved into a shell hole about T.14 b 7.4. Throughout the advance the Battalion suffered very heavily from Machine Gun fire. The Battalion had not gained its objective line held up by very heavy fire, and the very strong and undamaged wire of the trench leading from the North West corner of the Left Quadrilateral (a strong point hitherto unknown). “A” Company immediately entrenched itself on a small ridge about T.14 b 9.6 to T.14 b 8.2. Efforts were made to locate the exact positions of “B,” “C” and “D” Companies. It was found that “B” and “C” were entrenched about T.14 b 7.7. had lost very heavily while unsupported. “D” Company had lost very heavily also and the remainder (“D” Company) were still advancing with the GUARDS and occupying shell holes between our new position and the German wire ( a few of the latter came in under the cover of darkness). Good communication was kept with the contact aeroplane by means of flares and groundsheets throughout the day. Great difficulties were experienced in keeping track with Brigade Headquarters owing to the impossibility of using means of wired signalling, and the heavy barrage kept up throughout the day making it impossible for a runner to succeed in getting through. And then later Private PARRY (“A” Company) did excellent work in getting through and returning safely to us, thus three times saving the day, he was finally detained by Brigade Headquarters after a fourth journey. Throughout the day the trenches were improved, and by night everyone had more or less good cover. “A” Company, “B” Company and Headquarters were subjected to heavy shell fire throughout the day. “B” and “C” Company were moved up to where our new line was continued to the right and left. The night was quiet except for heavy sniping in front of “C” Company and its attack on one line of trenches and a communication trench (in course of construction) line carried without any serious opposition. These were occupied by the 9th Bavarian Regiment. No prisoners were taken. Casualties, 2nd Lieutenant J. C. WEBB, 2nd Lieutenant J. G. KENNEDY and Lieutenant A. H. PINDER were all killed. 2nd Lieutenant F. B. STEVENSON, Captain H. PICKBOURNE, 2nd Lieutenant H. A. GRAVES, 2nd Lieutenant W. BLACKLOCK, Captain G. H. SALMON, Lieutenant J. H. JOHN and 2nd Lieutenant R. PICKERSGILL were all wounded. Captain C. W. HERBISON, 2nd Lieutenant G. H. GRISTWOOD, 2nd Lieutenant J. BURNETT and 2nd Lieutenant J. G. GARDNER were all wounded and subsequently died. Other Ranks, “A” Company 23, “B” Company 35, “C” Company 23 and “D” Company 27 were killed. “A” Company 36, “B” Company 69, “C”. Company 56 and “D” Company 60 were wounded. “A” Company 5, “B” Company 11, “C” Company nil and “D” Company 16 missing in action.