Mar 4, 1883

Born in Sutton, Surrey, England

Nov 9, 1914

Attested into the 21^st Battalion CEF in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Number 59162 (temporary number 1049)

Ø  Next of kin given as Mrs. Whatman, 202 Edenborough St., Peterborough, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Teamster

Ø  Previous military experience given as 57^th Regiment, Peterborough Rangers, Canadian Militia

Ø  Religion given as Church of England

Ø  Posted to “E” Company

o   This was later reorganized into “C” Company

The battalion trained in the Kingston area through the winter with headquarters in the Kingston Armouries

Nov 24, 1914

Served temporary duty with the 21^st Battalion’s Military Police in Kingston

May 6, 1915

Embarked the RMS Metagama in Montreal, Quebec

May 15, 1915

Disembarked in Devonport, England and the battalion proceeded to the West Sandling Camp, near Hythe, Kent to continue training

Jun 22, 1915

Returned to duty from Regimental Police and posted to “B” Company

Sep 14, 1915

Embarked the St. Seiriol in Folkestone

Sep 15, 1915

Disembarked in Boulogne, France and the battalion proceeded to St. Omer

Nov 2, 1915

While the battalion was in Division Reserve and billeted in the town of La Clytte, Belgium, Private Clark was on a work party in Kemmel, carrying lumber when he fell and injured his lower back.  He reported the incident, but remained on duty as it was felt the injury was not severe

Nov 4, 1915

Admitted to the No. 4 Canadian Field Ambulance with a sore back, but the diagnosis read Lumbago

Nov 8, 1915

Transferred to the Division Rest Station to continue his recovery

Nov 14, 1915

Transferred to the No. 2 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station) for treatment and the diagnosis was changed to read Myalgia

Nov 15, 1915

Transferred via the No. 7 Ambulance Train and admitted to the No. 13 Canadian General Hospital in Boulogne, France where the diagnosis was changed to read Rheumatism

Nov 16, 1915

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Anglia as a stretcher case

While crossing the English Channel, the hospital ship was blown up by a mine and sunk.  Somehow Private Clark made it out of his lower deck bunk and was able to abandon the ship before it sank, likely assisted by the heroic medial staff and crew.  He was picked up by a passing vessel and taken to England.

The final death toll is unclear, with the number ranging from 134 to 168.  The ship is now designated as a war grave.

An actual photo of the sinking of the Anglia

Nov 17, 1915

On arrival in England he was admitted to the 5^th Northern General Hospital in Leicester

Nov 26, 1915

Transferred to the 39^th Reserve Battalion for pay purposes while in hospital

Feb 15, 1916

Transferred to the CCAC (Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre) for pay purposes while in hospital

Mar 21, 1916

Able to get up and about with the aid of crutches but complains of pain in the lower lumbar area of spine

Mar 24, 1916

Transferred to the Shorncliffe Military Hospital and the diagnosis was changed to read VDH (Valvular Disorder of the Heart) and Bronchitis

Apr 6, 1916

Transferred to the Canadian Granville Special Hospital in Ramsgate as a “stretcher case”.  Patient sleeps poorly with bad dreams of the trenches, has a poor appetite and suffers from headaches

Sep 12, 1916

Discharged from the Granville Hospital and reported to the Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre

Sep 16, 1916

Attached to the CDD (Canadian Discharge Depot) in Bath pending return to Canada

Oct 1, 1916

Embarked the SS Olympic in Liverpool

Oct 5, 1916

Disembarked in Halifax, Nova Scotia and proceeded to the Quebec City Discharge Depot

Oct 17, 1916

Medical Board in Quebec City notes

Ø  Suffers from Myalgia in left hip and leg

Ø  Pain is worse in damp weather

Ø  Has difficulty walking

Ø  Trouble began when he fell on his back in the trenches

Ø  Board recommends treatment in a nursing home

Oct 18, 1916

Admitted to the Elmhurst Convalescent Home in Kingston, Ontario

Feb 26, 1917

Medical Board at the Elmhurst Convalescent Home notes

Ø  Patient is well nourished but nervous

Ø  Complains of pain in left hip and knee

Ø  Walks with a limp and uses a cane

Ø  Left leg is shorter than the right

Ø  No problem with right leg

Ø  Patient wishes to be discharged so he can “get to work”

Ø  Board recommends that he be discharged from the CEF with a 50% disability to be reassessed in 3 months

Mar 28, 1917

Discharged from hospital and the CEF

Aug 27, 1917

Medical Board in Peterborough, Ontario recommends he be reattested and sent to hospital for further treatment

Leonard Clark proceeded to Kingston and was admitted to the Elmhurst Convalescent Home to be treated as an out-patient

Oct 23, 1917

Leonard Alfred Clark signed another set of Attestation Papers in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Number 59162

Ø  Next of kin given as Nellie Edith Clark, wife, 264 Wolfe St., Peterborough, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Teamster

Ø  Previous military experience given as 57^th Regiment Peterborough Rangers for 1 year and 21^st Battalion for 3 years

Ø  Religion given as Church of England

He continued his treatment as an out-patient of the convalescent home

Nov 16, 1917

Admitted as a full-time patient in the Elmhurst Convalescent Home

Nov 20, 1917

To be treated as an out-patient of the convalescent home

Jan 21, 1918

Admitted as a full-time patient in the Elmhurst Convalescent Home

Feb 6, 1918

To be treated as an out-patient of the convalescent home

Apr 18, 1918

Admitted as a full-time patient in the Elmhurst Convalescent Home

May 11, 1918

Discharged from hospital and the CEF in Kingston

Ø  Rank on discharge Private

Ø  War Service Badge Class “A” issued

Ø  War Service Badge Class “B” issued

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge Peterborough, Ontario

Following the end of the war the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at 5 North Place, Swan Lane, Whetstone N20, London, England

The Wall of Honour in Peterborough, Ontario lists the names of all
who served from the community