CLARKE, Robert Joseph
| Service Number: | 3901 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 20 August 1915 |
| Last Rank: | Lance Corporal |
| Last Unit: | 1st Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Quirindi, New South Wales, Australia, 1887 |
| Home Town: | Liverpool, Fairfield, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Hoxton Park Public School, New South Wales, Australia |
| Occupation: | Labourer |
| Died: | Died of wounds, France, 25 September 1918 |
| Cemetery: |
St Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen Block R, Plot III, Row J, grave No. 10. HIS DUTY DONE, NOW RESTING |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Hoxton Park Public School |
World War 1 Service
| 20 Aug 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 3901, 1st Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 11 Dec 1915: | Involvement Private, 3901, 1st Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '7' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: RMS Mooltan embarkation_ship_number: '' public_note: '' | |
| 11 Dec 1915: | Embarked Private, 3901, 1st Infantry Battalion, RMS Mooltan, Sydney | |
| 25 Sep 1918: | Involvement Lance Corporal, 3901, 1st Infantry Battalion, --- :awm_ww1_roll_of_honour_import: awm_service_number: 3901 awm_unit: 1 Battalion awm_rank: Lance Corporal awm_died_date: 1918-09-25 |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Stephen Brooks
Robert Joseph Clarke was the son of John Pickford Clarke and Mary Elizabeth Clarke, who at the time of his death were living at Jackson, Queensland. Robert had been born at Quirindi in New South Wales and had spent most of his life at Liverpool, New South Wales.
His younger brother, 2891 Private Sidney Burdge Clarke 45th Battalion AIF had been killed in action at Dernancourt on 5 April 1918, aged 27.
Robert arrived in France during March 1916 and took part in the heavy fighting at Pozieres. He was made a Lance Corporal in March 1917. Known as ‘Bob’ he was wounded in action at Bullecourt in May 1917 and was evacuated to England with shrapnel injuries to his head and leg. It took many months for him to recover and he did not rejoin his unit until February 1918.
Lance Corporal Robert Clarke was wounded on for a second time 18 September 1918. His Battalion was attacking the German lines near Bellicourt when he was hit by gunfire from the German defenders. Initially Robert’s wound was identified as a gunshot wound to the shoulder, but after being X-rayed at the 12th General Hospital at Rouen, it was found that his spine had also been injured. He died in hospital a week after being wounded, on 25 September 1918. This was the last battle in which the 1st Battalion took part in the War.
Robert Clarke’s parents had moved from Liverpool to Jackson, Queensland, sometime in late 1917. After Robert’s death, the AIF returned Robert’s personal effects to his father in Queensland.
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