Second Lieutenant Richard Stanley Clarke

[MaryA]

From the CWGC site
CLARKE, R S

Rank:
Second Lieutenant
Date of Death:
04/10/1918
Regiment/Service:
Machine Gun Corps (Infantry)

47th Bn.
Awards:
M C
Grave Reference
VI. C. 17.
Cemetery
VIEILLE-CHAPELLE NEW MILITARY CEMETERY, LACOUTURE
Additional Information:

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Medal Index Card on Ancestry shows he was first with the Denbighshire Yeomanry, 5266, reaching rank of Acting Colour Sergeant, then in Machine Gun Corps, 52724 with same rank before being commissioned into the MGC on 2 March 1918. First name Richard. He had a Military Cross, but this will be on a separate MIC, held at the National Archives.

ADDED:In 1911 he was 26, an insurance clerk and son of a doctor living at 94 Durning Road. He was one of 9 children, two of whom had died. Full names Richard Stanley Clarke.

ADDED LATER:
Gazette entry for his MC traced - will add it later.
D

[daggers]

Here is the citation for the Military Cross from the London Gazette supplement, 11 Jan 1919, page 612.

"Temp/2nd Lieutenant Richard Stanley Clarke, 47th Battn., MG Corps.
For conspicuous gallantry while in command of four guns when the enemy counter-attacked and pushed back the infantry on the left, his guns were left out in front. Though he had two guns knocked out, he stuck to his post and collected and brought back some of the infantry to the line of his two remaining guns. By his courage and leadership he materially helped to keep the left flank of the line intact."

I hope there might be a press report of this action and award.
D