Harold Ernest Clark (1884 - 1917)

Born 24 Jan 1884 in Norwood, South Australia, Australia

Ancestors

Died 3 Mar 1917 at age 33 in Warlencourt-Eaucourt, Pas-de-Calais, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France

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Biography

Harold Clark was born in the Colony of South Australia (1836-1900)

Harold Clark is an Anzac who served in World War One.

Sergeant Harold Clark served in the Australian Imperial Force in World War I
Service started: 29 Mar 1915
Unit(s): 27th Infantry Battalion
Service ended: 03 Mar 1917

Sergeant Harold Clark was Killed in Action 3 March 1917 during World War I.

Harold Clark was awarded the British War Medal, Victory Medal and the 1914-1915 Star.

Harold Ernest Clark was born in Norwood, South Australia^{[1] [2]} He attended the State School, Port Pirie, South Australia. ^[2]

Harold, married Constance Elizabeth Gray on 28 September 1911 in Adelaide, South Australia.^[3]

Harold Ernest Clark served in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) in World War 1 and attained the rank of Sergeant.

His enlistment date was 29 Mar 1915.

His next of kin on enlistment was: Mother, Mrs E Clarke, Booran Road, Glen Huntly, Victoria.

When he enlisted, his address was Adelaide, South Australia

His occupation when he enlisted was Bank manager.

His unit was: 27th Battalion, C Company.

His Regimental Number was: 986.

Harold's unit departed Adelaide on 31st May 1915 aboard AHMAT A2 Geelong. This voyage continued from Fremantle, Western Australia on the 6th of June 1915.

War Service details: Harold was a Sergeant 27th Battalion (Infantry). He served in Egypt and Gallipoli where he became ill with jaundice and paratyphoid. On 9th February 1916 he embarked in Malta to return to Australia to recuperate. He was admitted to No. 7 A.G. Hospital, Keswick on 4th April 1916.

Harold was a genuinely religious man and a Sunday School teacher and church worker. At time of enlistment he was residing at Rose Park and was connected with the Congregational Church and acted as assistant superintendent of the Sunday School. He spent some time in Mount Barker, where he was very popular, both in the office and as a citizen.

After his recuperation in Australia he re-embarked at Adelaide on 24th June 1916 on A45 Bulla to England where he had a short stay at Salisbury Plain where he was able to meet his two brothers who were at the front at the time of his death.

Note: The Troopship HMAT A45 Bulla started life as the SS Hessen, a captured German vessel recommissioned and renamed Bulla and given the designation A4. She was manned by Australian officers and crew for four voyages with artillery and medical staff to Egypt or Europe, a voyage as a troop ship in early 1917, and one as a cargo ship without passengers.

On 9th September 1916 he proceeded to France and rejoined his Battalion on 16th September 1916 in Belgium.

He took great interest in public and church matters, and was, at the time of his death , still connected with the Mount Barker Baptist church. He was a fine stamp of a man, and his many friends will deeply regret to hear of his death. ^[4]

Killed in Action 3 March 1917, Warlencourt, north of Albert, Somme, France. ^[2]

Harold was buried in Warlencourt British Cemetery, Warlencourt-Eaucourt, Departement du Pas-de-Calais, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France.^[5]

Sources

1. ↑ * Birth: "Australia, Birth Index, 1788-1922"
   South Australian Births, Index of Registrations 1842 to 1906; Page number: 466; Volume Number: 320
   Ancestry Record 1778 #5499462 (accessed 25 April 2024)
   Harold Ernest Clark born on 29 Jan 1884, child of Samuel Clark & Ellen Fieldwick, in Norwood..
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2} World War 1 Service: Veteran Details for Harold Ernest Clark for Service with the Australian Imperial Force (AIF). Regimental Number: 986; Rank: Sergeant; Unit: 27th Battalion, C Company; Enlistment Date: 29 Mar 1915; Killed in Action 3 March 1917 Link to UNSW AIF Project Record: accessed 25 Apr 2024
3. ↑ Marriage: "Australia, Marriage Index, 1788-1950"
   Australia, Marriage Index, 1788-1950; Lehi, UT; Australia, Marriage Index, 1788-1950; Page number: 905; Volume Number: 248
   Ancestry Record 1780 #5261773 (accessed 25 April 2024)
   Harold Ernest Clarke marriage to Constance Elizabeth Gray on 28 Sep 1911 in Adelaide, South Australia.
4. ↑ "THE ROLL OF HONOR." The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1931) 26 March 1917: 8.
5. ↑ Burial: "Global, Find a Grave® Index for Burials at Sea and other Select Burial Locations, 1300s-Current"
   Find A Grave: Memorial #56568480
   Ancestry Record 60541 #4115616 (accessed 25 April 2024)
   Private Harold Ernest Clark burial (died on 3 Mar 1917) in Warlencourt British Cemetery, Warlencourt-Eaucourt, Departement du Pas-de-Calais, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France. Born on 29 Jan 1884.