No.202498, Private, George CLARKE
Aged 27
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George Clark born in Higham (registration in all probability Newmarket Q3-1889 3B:524) the son of Eliza CLARKE
1891 census...Aged 1, at Wellington Street, Newmarket, with his mother Eliza Clarke [40], single, charwoman, born Higham and his sister Emily CLARKE [14] born Pontefract, Yorkshire. 1901 census...Aged 9, at Turf Tavern Passage, Newmarket with his mother Eliza [49], now recorded as widow, both recorded as born in Higham. 1911 census...Aged 21, a servant with Charles and Sarah Jennings (grocer/butcher) and their children Evelyn, Raymond, Allan and Charles, in Moulton. He was taken from the orphanage by Charles Jennings of Bridge Farm, and worked in the butchery business, living at Bridge Farm. His Army records give his sole legatee as Allan JENNINGS. |
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He enlisted in Cambridge, whilst resident in Bury St Edmunds ("Soldiers Died"). During the 3rd Battle of Ypres, the 184th Infantry Brigade, which included the 2nd/4th Royal Berkshires, attacked enemy defences at Wieltje in 22nd August 1917. The 2nd/4th Royal Berks, in support of the Bucks and Oxon, were tasked with mopping up the enemy positions around the strong points. 13 platoons were detailed to follow the front waves and capture or contain strongpoints such as Pond Farm, Somme, Schuler and Hindu Cottage so that the main assault could carry on knowing their back was covered. Much of this was accomplished successfully albeit with casualties. At Hindu Farm a Private Pike of 'A' Company found himself completely alone outside the strongpoint and shot and wounded a German who emerged, whereupon the other 18 inhabitants surrendered. Pike had them disarm and then stayed on guard over them for 2 days until relieved. CWGC records that the Battalion had 86 killed and only 6 of these have an identified grave, the rest are named on the Tyne Cot memorial.
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