CLARK, Arthur James
| Service Number: | 1888A |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | Not yet discovered |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 35th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, date not yet discovered |
| Home Town: | Double Bay, Woollahra, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Carpenter |
| Died: | Killed in Action, Belgium, 12 October 1917, age not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
No known grave - "Known Unto God" |
| Memorials: |
World War 1 Service
| Date unknown: | Involvement Private, 1888A, 35th Infantry Battalion |
|---|
Great Sydney Central Station Honour Board
Arthur James CLARK, (Service Number 1888A) describes his occupation on his Attestation Papers as ‘Bridge Carpenters’ Labourer’. He worked in the Western Division of the NSW Government Railways. He enlisted in the AIF in January 1916.
He left Australia through Sydney on HMAT ‘Barambah’ on 23 June 1916 and reached Plymouth on 25 August. He was taken on the strength of the 35th Battalion in England on 23 September. In January 1917 he was detached to a rail construction depot at West Capell, reinforcing the identification of this soldier as a rail worker in civilian life.
Submitted 30 May 2023 by John Oakes
Biography contributed by John Oakes
Arthur James CLARK, (Service Number 1888A) was employed in 1917 by the Railways as a Carpenter, Western Division Artisan Staff and Extra Gangs. Arthur Clark describes his occupation on his Attestation Papers as ‘Bridge Carpenters’ Labourer’. He enlisted in the AIF in January 1916.
Arthur Clark had been born in Launceston, Tasmania, about December 1885, and at the age of 31 was not married. His military career did not get off to a good start evbecause, even in Goulburn Recruit Camp, he was reprimanded for being Absent Without Leave. Most regimental numbers are bare numerals. Not only does Clark’s number have an ‘A’, but there is a note in his file to record the addition of the 'A' on 3rd February 1917 but there is no explanation.
Arthur left Australia from Sydney on HMAT ‘Barambah’ on 23rd June 1916. He reached Plymouth (England) on 25th August. He joined the 35th Battalion in England on 23rd September. He was Absent Without Leave on 24th October. He left England from Southampton on 21st November. In January 1917 he was sent to a rail construction depot at West Capell. In June he was hospitalised with illness for a week and upon his return to duty was sent to the 9th Light Trench Mortar Battery.
He received a gunshot wound in the face while in action on 1st August. He was admitted to hospital. He did not re-join the 35th Battalion from hospital until 10th September. He was killed in action in Belgium on 12th October 1917.
Arthur Clark has no known grave and his name is recorded on the Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Flanders.
- based on notes for the Great Sydney Central Station Honour Board