Leo Clarke
Corporal, 2nd Battalion. Eastern Ontario Regiment. C E F
- Register No.
- 218 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Corporal (register: Acting Corporal) all Corporals →
- Unit
- 2nd Battalion. Eastern Ontario Regiment. C E F (register: 2nd Battalion, CEF) all CEF VCs →
- Date of action
- 9 September 1916 on this day → all of 1916 →
- Conflict / campaign
- First World War
- London Gazette
- 26th October, 1916 on this day → all of 1916 →
- Born
- 1st December, 1892 at Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Died
- 19th October 1916 at Etretat, France. (Died on of wounds)
- Memorial / grave
- Etretat Churchyard, France and on a lamp-post* in Valour Road, Winnipeg
Digest of citation
On 9th September 1916, near Pozieres, France, Corporal Clarke was detailed with the section of bombers, to cover the construction of a " block " in a newly captured trench. Most of his party had become casualties when about 20 of the enemy, with two officers, counter-attacked. The corporal advanced, emptying his revolver into them; then he picked up two enemy rifles and fired those too. One of the officers attacked with a bayonet, wounding Corporal Clarke in the leg, but he shot him dead, and pursuing the rest of the Germans, shooting four more and capturing a fifth. the same street, and were awarded the Victoria Cross
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
CLARKE, Leo. (reg No. 218).
Corporal 2nd Battalion. Eastern Ontario Regiment. C E F.
London Gazetted on 26th October, 1916.
Born on 1st December, 1892 at Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
Died on 19th October 1916 at Etretat, France. (Died on of wounds).
Memorials at Etretat Churchyard, France and on a lamp-post* in Valour Road, Winnipeg.
Digest of Citation reads: On 9th September 1916, near Pozieres, France, Corporal Clarke was detailed with the section of bombers, to cover the construction of a " block " in a newly captured trench. Most of his party had become casualties when about 20 of the enemy, with two officers, counter-attacked. The corporal advanced, emptying his revolver into them; then he picked up two enemy rifles and fired those too. One of the officers attacked with a bayonet, wounding Corporal Clarke in the leg, but he shot him dead, and pursuing the rest of the Germans, shooting four more and capturing a fifth.
* This lamp-post is a memorial to three men, who all came from the same street, and were awarded the Victoria Cross.
* This lamp-post is a memorial to three men, who all came from
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: Etretat Churchyard, France and on a lamp-post* in Valour Road, Winnipeg
Map links open a search for the place name Alf recorded; please check opening times and exact locations before travelling. Many VC graves have since been restored by the Victoria Cross Trust.
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