CLARK, Herbert
| Service Numbers: | 3257, 3257A |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 27 July 1915 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 49th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Battersea, Surrey, England, 1894 |
| Home Town: | Rosewood, Ipswich, Queensland |
| Schooling: | London County Council School, England |
| Occupation: | Farm labourer |
| Died: | Killed in action, Dernancourt, France, 5 April 1918 |
| Cemetery: |
No known grave - "Known Unto God" Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, Villers-Bretonneux, Picardie, France |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Rosewood Shire Council Roll of Honor, Villers-Bretonneux Memorial |
World War 1 Service
| 27 Jul 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 3257, 9th Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 5 Oct 1915: | Involvement Private, 3257, 9th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '9' embarkation_place: Brisbane embarkation_ship: HMAT Warilda embarkation_ship_number: A69 public_note: '' | |
| 5 Oct 1915: | Embarked Private, 3257, 9th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Warilda, Brisbane | |
| 5 Apr 1918: | Involvement Private, 3257A, 49th Infantry Battalion, --- :awm_ww1_roll_of_honour_import: awm_service_number: 3257A awm_unit: 49th Australian Infantry Battalion awm_rank: Private awm_died_date: 1918-04-05 |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Stephen Brooks
Herbert Clark was the son of Stephen John and Annie Elizabeth Clark, and was born in Battersea, Surrey, England. His father died in 1909 when he was about 14 years of age.
Herbert came out to Australia when he was about 19 years of age, in 1913, and was working as a farm hand for Mr. Grant who lived at ‘Bremer View’ Rosewood, Queensland.
He enlisted in the 9th Battalion in Brisbane during July 1915. He was transferred to the 49th Battalion during the reorganization of the AIF in Egypt during early 1916.
Herbert was severely wounded during the fighting for Mouquet Farm in August 1916 and was evacuated to England with a bullet wound to the chest. After months of treatment, he was returned to the 49th Battalion in France in early 1917. During the Messines battle of June 1917, he was again evacuated to England with trench fever and debility.
Herbert rejoined his unit in early October 1917 and died during the brave defensive counter attack the 49th Battalion made against a very strong German force at Dernancourt on the 5 April 1918.
It was stated in his service file that he was wounded in the chest at about dusk on this day and died shortly after. He was buried on the battlefield and the coordinates of his grave were recorded but his remains could not be found after the war.
His widowed mother in Battersea, England, Annie Clark, received a pension of 40 shillings per fortnight from the Australian government. She was also sent Herbert’s personal belongings.
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