Military History

Prior to Embarkation Clark was promoted to Corporal 1.11.1914.
Embarked Melbourne per HMAT ‘Ceramic’ for Suez 22.12.1914.
Roll Rank Private.
Roll Unit Army Medical Corps Reinforcement.
Clark disembarked in Egypt with the Army Medical Corp Reinforcement. After a period of training in Egypt, he entrained to Alexandria, joined the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force 12.4.1915 and embarked for Gallipoli. Clark was wounded in the field in his role with the Medical Corps, receiving a gunshot wound to his left shoulder 2.5.1915. He was invalided to the Alexandria 3.5.1915. He was transferred to the Convalescent Camp at Mustafa 4.6.1915 and discharged as fit for service 29.6.1915. He marched in to the Australian Depot Stores 22.7.1915 and embarked from Alexandria per ‘Royal George’ as Storeman for England 3.9.1916. He marched in to the No.3 Details Camp at Parkhouse, England 18.9.1916. He was moved to Sutton Veny Hospital with Mumps 22.10.1916 and rejoined the 4th Training Brigade 15.1.1917. Clarke qualified 2nd class at a Rifle Course and was deemed to have fair knowledge of a Lewis Gun. He embarked at Southampton with the 4th Training Battalion for France 9.7.1917. He requested a return to rank of Private 11.8.1917 and rejoined the 16th Battalion ‘D’ Company in the field (Reported Western Mail 1.2.1918). Clark was wounded in action ( 2nd time) somewhere near Hamel on the Somme receiving a gunshot wound to his left heel/ leg, thorax and severe injury to the abdomen 16.8.1917 (Reported West Australian Newspaper 22.9.1917). He was invalided back to England and admitted to Kitchener Military Hospital, Brighton, UK 7.9.1917. He was discharged to Hurdcott with fresh scarring and incomplete extension in his left leg. Clark boarded at Hurdcott 27.12.1917 (possibly recently married). In early January he was readmitted to the Kitchener Hospital with acute abdominal pain. A laparoscopy was performed and he was diagnosed with gangrenous tissue, deemed inoperable 9.1.1918. His condition deteriorated and he died of disease the next morning 10.1.1918. His wife requested he be buried at Willesden Green Cemetery in London. The service was conducted by Rev. Tagwell and performed with full military Honours. His grave is located at Willesden New Cemetery, Willesden 17.1.1917, Grave 672, consecrated portion, section ‘K’.
Died of Disease- intestinal obstruction following wounds in active service.
Final Rank Corporal, 16th Infantry Battalion, Australian Imperial Force.
Medical Condition Deceased, died of disease arising from wounds.
Awards and Medals 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Notes Clarke married Eva Kay in late 1917 or early 1918. He rewrote his will in January 1918, leaving all his property to the aforesaid. His wife resided at 45 Ilex Rd., Willesden, London, UK.
Photos HMAT 'Ceramic'. Photographer Josia Barnes, photograph source AWM PB0284A
             Cpl. W J. Clark. Photograph source Sunday Times  15.1.1916 p17
             Stretcher bearers at Gallipoli. Photographer unknown, photograph source Western Mail 25 12 1915 p17
             Battle of Hamel. Australian and American troops dug in.1918. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced AWM E02690
             Willesden New Cemetery. Photograph sourced from Commonwealth War Graves Commission website
           

Information Source
AWM  PB0284A. HMAT 'Ceramic'. Photographer Josia Barnes, photograph source AWM
AWM E02690. Battle of Hamel. Australian and American troops dug in.1918. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced  from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
CWGC. Willesden New Cemetery. Commonwealth War Graves Commission website http://www.cwgc.org/find-a-cemetery/cemetery/42330/WILLESDEN%20NEW%20CEMETERY
Australian War Memorial Embarkation Roll- William John Clark
Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour- William John Clark
Guildford Primary School Honour Roll
Guildford War Memorial
St Matthew’s Honour Roll
St Matthew’s-Fallen
Sunday Times
NAA: B2455, Clark W J
West Australian Newspaper
Western Mail
Wise H. and Coy. Western Australian Post Office Directories.SLWA

6 Helena Street, East Guildford. WA. (Mother)

Associated Images