Sunday 7 October 2012

Private John Carton Clarke



Today 1916 Private John Carton Clarke was killed in action during the battle of the Somme.  He was born in Castlerock but moved to Carrickfergus presumably seeking employment.   He enlisted in Carrickfergus aged 15 and less than a year later was killed.  His body, like so many others, was never recovered - he is remembered in name on the Thiepval Memorial Pier and Face 8C, 9A and 16A.  When I first discovered details of Private Clarke it was of special interest given the Regiment he enlisted with, 9th Battalion - Royal Fusiliers - City of London Regiment.  As of yet I have been unable to find out why he joined this particular regiment but I continue to search for information.  Details of the attack in which John Clarke was killed are in the remarks section below.  

JS


NAME; Clarke, John Carton  
Rank: Private 
SERV. NO; 23278
UNIT/SERVICE; Royal Fusiliers – City of London Regiment
REGIMENT; 9th Battalion
BORN; Castlerock – Londonderry - 1897
LIVED; Carrickfergus
ENLISTED; Carrickfergus 1915
FATE; Killed in Action – France and Flanders – 7th October 1916 aged 19
CEMETERY; Body Never recovered
CHURCH;
MEMORIAL; Thiepval Memorial (France) – Pier and Face 8C, 9A & 16A
REMARKS; Son of W. T & Genna Clarke of Castlerock Derry. 9th Battalion Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) was in 18th (Eastern) Division involved in the attacks in October 1916 on the stubbornly defended and vital position of and around the Schwaben Redoubt. On 7th October there was a determined counter-attack by the Germans to recapture the Redoubt.  It appears Private Clarke was killed during this assault.

9th Battalion City of London Regiment

Cap Badge of the Royal Fusiliers
 

Parents: W. T. and Genna G. M. Clarke, of Castlerock, Co. Derry.

Copyright ©2012: http://www.forces-war-records.co.uk/ViewRecord/1708349?reference=arrowLinks
Parents: W. T. and Genna G. M. Clarke, of Castlerock, Co. Derry.

Copyright ©2012: http://www.forces-war-records.co.uk/ViewRecord/1708349?reference=arrowLinks
Parents: W. T. and Genna G. M. Clarke, of Castlerock, Co. Derry.

Copyright ©2012: http://www.forces-war-records.co.uk/ViewRecord/1708349?reference=arrowLinks



1 comment:

  1. J C Carton also features on my blog. See http://northernbankwarmemorials.blogspot.co.uk
    For further details. Feel free to use my information to update yours. Regards, Gavin

    ReplyDelete