Desmond7 Posted 21 April , 2005 Share Posted 21 April , 2005 If anyone has a pic of this man I'd love to hear from them. Des Dr. Thomas Clarke of Liverpool, formerly of Ahoghill, has been notified that his son 2nd Lt. R. S. Clarke MGC was killed in action on the morning of 5th October 1918. Captain Cyril Lane states that on the morning the deceased was killed, the infantry were held up and suffering heavy casualties from enemy machine gun fire at close range. 2nd Lt. Clarke took forward his guns got them into action and succeeded in silencing one enemy gun before being killed by a sniper. 2nd Lt Clarke had received the Military Cross for his bravery at the Somme. Ballymena Observer January 3, 1919 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staffsyeoman Posted 21 April , 2005 Share Posted 21 April , 2005 Not a pic but from my H&A database CLARKE RICHARD STANLEY T/2/LT MC LG 11/1/19 p.612 47 BN CIT T./2nd Lt. Richard Stanley Clarke, 47th Bn., M.G. Corps. For conspicuous gallantry while in command of four guns. When the enemy counter-attacked and pushed back the infantry on the left, his guns were left out in front. Though he had two guns knocked out, he stuck to his position, and collected and brought back some of the infantry to the line of his two remaining guns. By his courage and leadership he materially helped to keep the left flank of the line intact. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desmond7 Posted 21 April , 2005 Author Share Posted 21 April , 2005 Staff - thanks v. much ... does this indicate that he got a posthumous 'bar' to the Somme MC? If I'm reading the abbreviations at the top right??! Cheers for that one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staffsyeoman Posted 21 April , 2005 Share Posted 21 April , 2005 Nope, it was a first award. 'Cit' is the note I put for a published citation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desmond7 Posted 21 April , 2005 Author Share Posted 21 April , 2005 Cheers. What's H&A?? And do you know if he was born Ballymena/Ahoghill or born in Liverpool after his father moved over there? Many thanks, Des Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stebie9173 Posted 21 April , 2005 Share Posted 21 April , 2005 Akkk! This is the second time I've "recommended" this site tonight. I found it totally blind on Google. It purports to sell newspaper articles at £4 a pop. http://www.lightage.demon.co.uk/GREATWARINDEX.htm R S Clarke, MGC, MC appears in the list twice, but whether there is a photo, I don't know (or even whether this is the same man). It may just be his MC Gazette from the London Gazette. I have no idea what quality information is supplied. Just a heads up. Caveat Emptor, Buyer beware, and all that. Up to you, really. Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desmond7 Posted 22 April , 2005 Author Share Posted 22 April , 2005 Cheers Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JulianB Posted 22 April , 2005 Share Posted 22 April , 2005 Looks as though it was the "second" battle(s) of the Somme - ie March 1918 to me. You might have to look up the Bn War Diary. J Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desmond7 Posted 22 April , 2005 Author Share Posted 22 April , 2005 Doh! Why didn't I think of that!!! Well played that man. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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