Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

The summary below was completed by Cathy Sedgwick – Facebook “WW1 Australian War Graves in England/UK/Scotland/Ireland

Died on this date – 30th March.... James Clark was born at Haslingden, Lancashire, England in 1898.

James Clark came to Australia when he was 15 years old according to information provided by his father for the Roll of Honour. David Clark & his wife – Hetty Clark & 4 children – James, Mary, Robert & David were passengers on Arawa which departed from the port of London on 28th March, 1912 bound for New Zealand. The Clark family had contracted to land at Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.

James Clark enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (A.I.F.) on 24th August, 1915 as an 18 year old Plumber (information provided by his father for the Roll of Honour states James was an Orchardist) from Sandy Bay, Hobart, Tasmania.

Private James Clark embarked from Melbourne on RMS Orontes on 24th November, 1915. He joined 12th Battalion at Serapeum on 17th March, 1916 & proceeded to France from Alexandria on 29th March, 1916. Private Clark arrived in France on 5th April, 1916.

(No entries on his casualty form – active service between 5th April, 1916 & 14th April, 1917)

Private James Clark was wounded in action in France on 14th April, 1917 with gunshot wound/s to right ear. He was invalided to England on Hospital Ship St George on 21st April, 1917 & admitted to Royal Victoria Hospital, Netley, England on 23rd April, 1917.
Private Clark was transferred to 3rd Auxiliary Hospital, Dartford on 11th May, 1917 then discharged to furlo from 11th June to 25th June, 1917 & was then to report to No. 2 Command Depot at Weymouth.
Private Clerk was transferred from No 2 Command Depot at Weymouth to No. 4 Command Depot at Codford, Wiltshire on 7th September, 1917. He was transferred to Overseas Training Brigade at Longbridge Deverill, Wiltshire on 20th October, 1917 in readiness for return to War Front.

Private Clark proceeded to France on 15th November, 1917 & rejoined 12th Battalion at the Front on 22nd November, 1917.

Private Clark was sent sick to Hospital on 2nd June, 1918 with Influenza & rejoined his Unit on 11th June, 1918.

Private James Clark was on leave to UK on 17th December, 1918 & rejoined his Unit from leave on 9th January, 1919.

Private Clark was marched out from the field on 30th January, 1919 ready to be returned to Australia (1915 Personnel). He embarked from Havre, France for England on 3rd February, 1919 & was marched in to Overseas Training Brigade at Longbridge Deverill, Wiltshire on 4th February, 1919.

Private Clark was admitted to 1st Australian General Hospital, Sutton Veny, Wiltshire, England on 29th March, 1919 with Influenza.

Private James Clark died at 4.25 pm on 30th March, 1919 at No.1 Australian General Hospital, Sutton Veny, Wiltshire, England from Broncho Pneumonia.
Private James Clark was buried privately on 4th April, 1919 in Haslingden Old Congregational Chapelyard, Lancashire, England in the private Family vault. He now has a Commonwealth War Graves Commission headstone.

Names of relatives & friends present at the Funeral – Mr & Mrs Vass, Miss Hawthorn, and at least 150 residents of Haslingden who were either relatives or close friends of the deceased’s.

(The above is a summary of my research. The full research can be found by following the link below)
https://ww1austburialsuk.weebly.com/haslingden.html