CLARK, Colin
| Service Number: | 997 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 10 May 1916, An original member of A Company 40th Bn. |
| Last Rank: | Sergeant |
| Last Unit: | 40th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Franklin, Tasmania, Australia, 12 August 1895 |
| Home Town: | Glen Huon, Huon Valley, Tasmania |
| Schooling: | Glen Huon State School, Tasmania, Australia |
| Occupation: | Orchardist |
| Died: | Died of wounds, France, 29 March 1918, aged 22 years |
| Cemetery: |
Doullens Communal Cemetery Extension No.1 Plot V, Row B, Grave No. 16. |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Glen Huon HR, Glen Huon War Memorial |
World War 1 Service
| 10 May 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 997, 40th Infantry Battalion, An original member of A Company 40th Bn. | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Jul 1916: | Involvement Private, 997, 40th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '18' embarkation_place: Hobart embarkation_ship: HMAT Berrima embarkation_ship_number: A35 public_note: '' | |
| 1 Jul 1916: | Embarked Private, 997, 40th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Berrima, Hobart | |
| 29 Mar 1918: | Involvement Sergeant, 997, 40th Infantry Battalion, --- :awm_ww1_roll_of_honour_import: awm_service_number: 997 awm_unit: 40th Australian Infantry Battalion awm_rank: Sergeant awm_died_date: 1918-03-29 |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Stephen Brooks
The son of William Thomas and Sarah Ann Clark, of Glen Huon, Tasmania. The remote area is in the Huon Valley of Tasmania, famous for its apple growing and Colin Clark worked as an orchard labourer there prior to enlisting. He was mentioned in the local paper as being a splendid athlete and a fine speciman of manhood.
His brother, 151 Pte Ellis Arthur Clark, also served in the 40th Battalion, was wounded on several occasions and returned to Australia late in 1919.
Colin’s father received a letter from Captain Chisholm of the 40th Battalion which was published in the Hobart Mercury, part of which read, "…We on our part have lost a good comrade, and the company is so much the worse for the loss of an efficient and reliable N.C.O. and a gallant soldier. Wo can only try to realise what it means to you and to the others who were near and dear to him. We were engaged in a pretty hot fight on the 28th March, and it was while your boy was leading his men in the fighting that he was badly hit, and died in hospital two days later. I was able to spend a little time with him before they took him off the field, and though he was in great pain he spoke quite bravely and cheerfully. Everything that could be done to save him was done, but his wounds were too severe. The standard of conduct, ability, and personal courage set by your son was of such a high order that it was held up as an example to others. It was by the practice of these qualities that he gradually worked his way up the ladder of promotion. In addition to this, he was an expert Lewis gunner. I hope it will be some consolation to you to know that he will always be remembered in this company us a trusty comrade, a good soldier, and a man."
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