Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Father Walter Clark and Mother Isabella Sarah Clark (nee         )
living at 13 John Street, Cottesloe, Perth WA.
(10/5/1918  moved to  'Inglewood', Forest Street, Cottesloe, WA)

Originally from Bordertown, South Australia.

Older Brother:   #4291   Arthur Banks Clark
                         48th Battalion
                         18/9/1918 killed in action, near St Quentin

On enlisting Victor lived at Bruce Rock, Western Australia.

Described on enlisting as 25 years 6 months old; single; 5' 11" tall; 159 lbs;
fresh complexion; grey eyes; brown hair; Church of England.

15/6/1916       Enisted at Perth, WA.
                       Completed medical - fit for service

1/11/1916       Commanding Officer appointed Victor to
                       7th Infantry Brigade, 28th Infantry Battalion,
                       17th reinforcements
                       Blackboy Hill Camp

9/11/1916       Embarked from Fremantle, WA, on board HMAT A8 Argyllshire
                       as a Private in the 7th Infantry Brigade, 28th Infantry Battalion,
                       17th reinforcements

10/1/1917       Disembarked into Plymouth, England.
                       Admitted to 7th Training Battalion

24/4/1917       Proceeded overseas to France, ex Folkestone

For many of the major battles of 1917 the 28th found itself in supporting roles.

At the second battle of Bullecourt, the 28th provided reinforcements who were
nonetheless involved in heavy fighting.

The 28th went on to attack as part of the third phase at the battle of Menin Road,
capturing its objectives in seven minutes, and was in reserve during the capture
of Broodseinde Ridge.

The battalion was also in reserve for the battle of Poelcappelle on 9/10/1917, but
with the attack floundering in the mud, it soon became embroiled in the fighting.

8/1/1918         Sick to hospital - trench feet and frost bite - Belgium
                       Admitted to 7th Australian Field Ambulance

10/1/1918       Admitted to 56th General Hospital - Etaples, France

12/1/1918       Transfer to England
12/1/1918       Embarked to England on board HT Niewman

12/1/1918       Admitted to 3rd Southern General Hospital, Oxford, England

12/2/1918       Transferred to 3rd Auxillary Hospital, Dartford, England

15/2/1918       Discharged to No.4 Convalescent Depot, Hurdcott, England

20/4/1918        Marched out to overseas Training Brigade, Long Derville

In April 1918, the 28th fought to turn back the German spring offensive.

The first German attack in March was launched against the British Fifth Army in Arras
(Somme area);  the second attack in April centred on Lys in Flanders.

8/5/1918          Proceeded overseas to France, via Folkestone
10/5/1918        Proceeded to join unit in the field, Etaples, France
15/5/1918        Rejoined 28th Battalion in the field, France

The Germans third offensive in May focused on the Aisne, where British Divisions
recuperating from the March attacks were again subjected to severe losses.  Despite
sweeping early gains in each of their attacks, German forces (which incurred huge
casualties in their all-out attacks) outdistanced their supply lines and became themselves
exhausted by the constant fighting.

1/6/1918         Killed in action at Franvillers

buried in:        Franvillers Communal Cemetery Extension, France
                       Plot I, Row D, Grave No. 16

Medals:
British War Medal (52292), Victory Medal (51572),
Memorial Plaque and Memorial scroll (346263).

Sourced and submitted by Julianne T Ryan. 15/11/2014.   Lest we forget.

Mother was Sarah Isabelle Banks, daughter of Arthur Banks and Rachel Rudge.

2 second cousins listed, being Frank Donaldson Clark and Tom Clark, sons of Victors Grandfather Robert's brother George Clark.

(sources - SA BDM)