Medal & Mortality index
The Military Cross was instituted as a Decoration on December 28th, 1914, to
reward Distinguished Services rendered by Officers of certain ranks in the army
in time of war. Bars may be added for additional acts of gallantry. Since August
1st, 1918, it has, like the D.S.O., been awarded for "services in action" only.
During the period under review the Battalion received one or two small
reinforcements of N.C.O.'s and men, and also the following officers :
18th March 1917 — 2/Lieuts. G. H. Hetley, C. A. Clarke, S. M. Williams and G. E.
Lester, and 2/Lieut. Acason (18th Londons).
Bullecourt 1917 :
Unfortunately the raid caused a certain amount of shelling on the Boar Copse
front resulting in a few casualties, among whom was Capt. Croll. This was
exceedingly bad luck and a loss to the Battalion. Croll had done excellent work
since the arrival in France of the 2/4th Battalion and had just received his
company. His wound, though not dangerous, was sufficiently severe to keep him in
England for almost a year. His company was taken over by Capt. C. A. Clarke.
#
As in the September action, particular preparation was made for the assault of
all known pillboxes by special parties, and the system of posts to be
established by each company was carefully and definitely decided beforehand. The
whole strength of the Battalion was necessary to cover the wide frontage
allotted to it, the order of battle from the right being D Company (C. A.
Clarke), C Company (Boorman), B Company (Hetley) and A Company (Dickins). In
addition to the stipulated frontage the Battalion was also held responsible for
some 200 yards of waterlogged ground near the Lekkerbotebeek on its right, over
which touch with the 63rd Division could not be actively maintained.
The 26th October must be regarded as one of the most unfortunate days ever
experienced by the 2/4th Londons. The gallantry of officers, N.C.O.'s and men
alike left nothing to be desired, and their defeat was at the hands of the
elements far more than of the Germans. So bad indeed was the state of the ground
that not a few men becoming stuck in the mud and exhausted by their efforts to
extricate themselves, met their death by drowning in the flooded shell holes.
For their good work on this day decorations were awarded to Capt. C. A. Clarke
(the M.C.) and Pte C. H. W. Roberts (the D.C.M.).
#
RETREAT FROM LA FERE
About the same time the enemy advanced in large numbers all along the line,
especially against the Farm Rouge and Triangle Localities. The former of these
had always been regarded as a weak spot in the defences, and two reserve
machine-guns were at once turned on to the enemy advancing against it. By 3.45.
p.m., after a stubborn resistance against overwhelming numbers. Clarke's weak
company was ejected from the Farm Rouge itself, and its grip on the remainder of
the Locality much weakened. The assaulting columns continued to press on in the
direction of the Quessy Locality, thus isolating the Fargniers position in the
corner between the two Canals and completely cutting off Lester, who was still
hanging on to his position in the Triangle against impossible odds.
A prompt endeavour to counter this very serious turn of events was taken by
Brigade, who sent forward two platoons of the Suffolks to reinforce Clarke and
fill the gap between him and Askham. The 3rd Londons also were drawn on again,
and a second company was sent forward through Quessy to strengthen the Farm
Rouge Locality. Of this company, however, only two platoons ever reached their
objective, the others being destroyed by the enemy's fire at the crossing of the
Crozat Canal.
On arrival in the Vouel line in the early hours of the 22nd March, the
Battalion, which occupied the north end of the position near the Butte, was
reorganised in three companies, with A Company under 2/Lieut. F. G. Williams on
the right, B under Capt. Askham in the centre and D under Capt. Clarke on the
left. As on the 21st, a dense mist appeared with the early hours, and until it
rose, shortly after midday, no infantry movement took place. Under cover of the
mist the Battalion was able to do a good deal of work on the Vouel line, and in
this they were not much interfered with, as most of the German shells were
falling on the road in front.
On the 5th April another evening march was made to Dommiers, and the next day
after a very trying march the Battalion reached Villers Cotterets at 8 p.m. Here
it entrained with the remainder of the Division for an area further north to
which the III Corps had been transferred. The total casualties sustained by the
2/4th Battalion in the second battle of the Somme between 21st March and 3rd
April amounted to :
Officers — Lient. J. Cairns, missing, believed killed ; 2/Lieut. F. G. Williams,
died of wounds; Major A. Grover, M.C., Capt. C. A. Clarke, M.C., Lieut. H. J. M.
AVilliams, 2/Lieuts. R. W. Chamberlain, C. C. H. Clifford, A. Woodington, E. M.
Cutlibertson and C. B, Francis, wounded ; Lieut. W. F. Brown, gassed; Lieuts. G.
E. Lester, H. W. Durlacher, M.C., 2/Lieuts. D. F. Crawford and L. F. Wai'dle,
captured. N.C.O.'s and men : 37 killed, 125 wounded and 217 missing.
The total losses of the Division for the same period were 2204, of whom 57
officers and 1606 other ranks were missing.
Mention in Despatches
Lieut. (A/Capt.) C. A. Clarke ; London Gazette 24.12.17
Military Cross
2/Lieut. (A/Capt.) C. A. Clarke ; London Gazette 23. 4.18