Harold George CLARKE

Harold George CLARKE Update Details

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CLARKE, Harold George

Service Number:	401300
Enlisted:	1 February 1941
Last Rank:	Flying Officer
Last Unit:	Operational Training Units (RAF)
Born:	Brunswick, Victoria, 20 August 1914
Home Town:	Ivanhoe, Banyule, Victoria
Schooling:	Not yet discovered
Occupation:	Clerk
Died:	Flying Battle, Devon, England, United Kingdom, 1 August 1942, aged 27 years
Cemetery:	Exeter Higher Cemetery, Devon, England INSCRIPTION IN THE HOPE OF A HAPPY RESURRECTION. Sec. Z.K. Grave 26., Exeter Higher Cemetery, Exeter, Devon, England, United Kingdom
Memorials:	Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, International Bomber Command Centre Memorial

World War 2 Service

1 Feb 1941:	Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Aircraftman 2 (WW2), 401300, Melbourne, Victoria
1 Feb 1941:	Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Flying Officer, 401300
1 Aug 1942:	Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Flying Officer, 401300, Operational Training Units (RAF), Empire Air Training Scheme, 14 Operational Training (RAF)

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Biography contributed by Barbara Krnos

Harold George Clarke was from Ivanhoe, Victoria, the son of Maggie and Michael George Harold Clarke. He was married to Victoria May Clarke. His uncle, Alfred Thomas Young died at Pozieres France in August, 1916. He served with the 5th Battalion, Victorialn Scotish Regiment before joining the RAAF in 1941.

Prior to his enlisment he had been a clerk, working for J.B. Ware in Collins Street, Melbourne.

He flew at least 7 raids over enemy territory before he was shot down. On 1st August, 1942, his aircraft was damaged by enemy fire and the crew took evasive action and attempted to return to base. On crossing the coast near Devon the aircraft was again damaged, and out of fuel made an emergency landing. Harold Clarke was still alive, transported to hospital, but died later that day. Others in the crew were also injured.

His funeral took place on 6th August, 1942 at Higher Cemetery, Exeter, UK.

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