William Frederick Clark MC (1892 - 1918)

Ancestors

Biography

Lieutenant William Frederick Clark MC was born in 1893 at Marrickville, New South Wales (Australia). He was the eldest son of Theodore Clark and Elizabeth Lockridge.^[1]

Marriage. In September 1915, William married Margery Ethel Henlen at the Tabernacle, Enmore, New South Wales. The newspaper account of their wedding said William was the eldest son of the late Theodore Clark and Mrs Clark, of "Neston", Dulwich Hill and was to soon leave for active service. Margery was the only daughter Mr. and Mrs. F. G. Henlen, Stanmore, late of Bathurst. Their marriage was registered Newtown, New South Wales. ^[2][3]

Military Service. On 1st February 1916, William applied for a Commission in the Australian Imperial Force. He said he was aged 23 years and one month, being born 16th December 1892. HIs previous service was as a Corporal with the Senior Cadets, Sydney Grammar School, and also as A/Corporal D. Coy, 2nd Battalion A.I.F. His present employment was as Branch Manager, Marcus Clark & Co., Ltd. He was married and lived at Stanmore, New South Wales. ^[4]

On 6th September 1916, William completed his attestation form to enlist in the Australian Imperial Force for service overseas during the First World War. He was allocated to the 55th Australian Infantry Battalion, part of the 14th Brigade of the 5th Australian Division, and attained the junior officer rank of Lieutenant. (see NAA: B2455, CLARK W F Page 57 of 100).^[5] The battalion entered the frontline trenches for the first time on 12th July 1916 and fought its first major battle at Fromelles a week later. After a freezing winter manning trenches in the Somme Valley, in early 1917 the 55th Battalion participated in the advance that followed the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line. It's next battles were the second battle of Bullecourt, France and at Polygon Wood, Belgium. With the collapse of Russia in October 1917, a major German offensive on the Western Front came in late March 1918 and the 14th Brigade took up positions to the north of Villers-Bretonneux.^[6]

It was here at Villers-Bretonneux that William was killed in action, on 17th April 1918 at France. William Frederick Clark's name is located at panel 160 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra and at Aubigny British Cemetery, Aubigny, Picardie, France.^[7] He was awarded the Military Cross (MC) for gallantry in the field, gazetted in London 6th April 1918.^[8]

A pension was granted to his widow and their son, William Anthony Frederick Clark. (see NAA: B2455, CLARK W F Page 58 of 100)

Sources

1. ↑ Birth Index New South Wales Birth Index #21792/1893
2. ↑ Marriage Index New South Wales Government. Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages. (Marriage search accessed 27 Nov 2022 : 1915 Marriage Registration, William F CLARK & Margerie E HENLEN, Newtown 9593/1915
3. ↑ Wedding 1915 'Wedding', National Advocate (Bathurst, NSW : 1889 - 1954), 10 September, p. 3. , viewed 27 Nov 2022, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article158154828
4. ↑ Military Service National Archives of Australia. First Australian Imperial Force Personnel Dossiers, 1914-1920: RecordSearch'’ NAA: B2455 NAA: B2455, CLARK W F 100 pages, (digitised item accessed 27 Nov 2022) Clark William Frederick : SERN LIEUT : POB Sydney NSW : POE Warwick Farm NSW : NOK W Clark Margery Ethel
5. ↑ Australian War Memorial nominal roll: Lieutenant William Frederick Clark; accessed 19 Oct 2019
6. ↑ Australian War Memorial unit record: 55th Australian Infantry Battalion; accessed 19 Oct 2019
7. ↑ Australian War Memorial roll of honour: Lieutenant William Frederick Clark; accessed 19 Oct 2019
8. ↑ Australian War Memorial honours and awards: Lieutenant William Frederick Clark; accessed 19 Oct 2019