Jul 27, 1888

Born in Millbridge, Hastings County, Ontario to James and Mary Angeline (nee Potter) Clarke

Apr 30, 1901

He is listed on the 1901 Canadian Census as living with his uncle, Richard Tivy, in Wollaston, Township, North Hastings.

Mar 6, 1907

Richard Clarke entered the USA with his brother Garnet, at the Portal, North Dakota crossing claiming to be a farm labourer.

Nov 17, 1908

He re-entered the USA as a farm labourer at the Sweet Grass Montana border crossing and gave his destination as Great Falls, Montana.

For neither of the above entries could I find when he returned to Canada.  He is not listed on the 1911 Canadian Census.

Feb 24, 1915

Attested into the 39^th Battalion in Belleville, Ontario

Ø      Number 412201 (initially it was shown as A12201)

Ø      Next of kin given as Mrs. James Clarke, mother, Coe Hill, Ontario

Ø      Previous occupation given as Carpenter

Ø      No previous military experience given

Ø      Religion given as Church of England

Ø      Assigned to “D” Company

He gave his birth date as July 21, 1888 but his birth registration shows his birth date as being July 27, 1888 and his full name as Richard Allen George Clarke.

Jun 17, 1915

Embarked the RMS Missanabie in Montreal, Quebec

The embarkation roll shows his rank as Corporal.

Jul 4, 1915

Disembarked in Plymouth, England and the battalion proceeded to Shorncliffe for training

Sep 3, 1915

Appointed to the rank of Acting Lance Sergeant

Sep 24, 1915

The battalion moved to the West Sandling Camp to continue training.

Nov 8, 1915

Attended the Machine Gun School at Napier Barracks, in the Shorncliffe Camp

Jan 1, 1916

Appointed to the rank of Acting Sergeant

Feb 29, 1916

Sentenced to 1 year in prison by a DCM (District Courts Martial) for:

Ø      Making false statement to Military Police in order to obtain release of a prisoner from the Guard Room at Hythe

Ø      Resisting arrest by a Military Policeman

He was also reduced to the rank of Private

Jun 12, 1916

The General Officer Commanding the London District reduced the prison sentence to 6 months.

Jun 28, 1916

He was released from prison early on the condition of proceeding directly to a fighting battalion in France.

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Jun 29, 1916

Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21^st Battalion.

Jul 30, 1916

Left the CBD to join his battalion.

Aug 2, 1916

Joined the 21^st Battalion in the Chippewa Camp near La Clytte and assigned to the Machine Gun Section of “B” Company

Oct 3, 1916

While in the front line trench near the Courcelette Quarry, Private Clarke received shrapnel wounds to his back and a concussion from the explosion of an artillery shell and was removed from the line and admitted to the No. 5 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance).

Oct 4, 1916

Transferred to the No. 4 CFA for further treatment.

Oct 16, 1916

Transferred to the No. 13 General Hospital, Boulogne

Oct 18, 1916

Transferred to the No. 1 Convalescent Depot, Boulogne, for rehabilitation

Oct 29, 1916

Discharged to the Base Details at Havre.

Oct 31, 1916

Arrived at the CBD and posted to the “A” Company for those recovering from wounds and illness.

Nov 2, 1916

Left the CBD to rejoin the battalion

Nov 5, 1916

He rejoined the 21^st Battalion in the front line near Calonne

Apr 12, 1917

Admitted to the No. 4 General Hospital, Dannes Camiers diagnosed with Myalgia

Apr 20, 1917

Transferred to the No. 6 Convalescent Depot, Etaples for rehabilitation

Apr 22, 1917

Transferred to the No. 5 Convalescent Depot, Cayeux, to continue his rehabilitation

Jun 4, 1917

Discharged to the Base Depot

Jun 13, 1917

Left the CIBD and joined the 2^nd Entrenching Battalion in Hersin

Jun 26, 1917

Rejoined the 21^st Battalion in billets in the huts at Coupigny

Aug 25, 1917

Proceeded on the Machine Gun Course

Sep 8, 1917

Rejoined the battalion from the Machine Gun Course

Sep 21, 1917

Granted 10 days leave

Oct 2, 1917

Rejoined the battalion from leave

Nov 24, 1917

Appointed to rank of Lance Corporal

Dec 24, 1917

Promoted to rank of Corporal to replace L/Cpl Wotherspoon, 60101, who had reverted to the rank of private.

Apr 1, 1918

Appointed to rank of Acting Lance Sergeant with pay

Apr 2, 1918

Promoted to rank of Corporal to replace Cpl Marshall, 124037, who had been promoted.

Jun 5, 1918

Appointed to rank of Lance Sergeant to replace Cpl Marshall, 124037, who had been promoted.

Aug 27, 1918

Promoted to the rank of Sergeant to replace Sgt Galbraith , 59348, who had been killed in action

Oct 11, 1918

During the 21^st Battalion’s advance on Avesnes-le-Sec on the German Marcoing Line, Sergeant Clarke was killed in action.

Niagara Cemetery
Iwuy France

Following the war the British War Medal, Victory Medal, Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny), Scroll, and Memorial Cross were sent to his mother, Mrs. Mary Clarke, Coe Hill, Ontario.