| Regimental number | 1887 |
| Place of birth | Sydney New South Wales |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Occupation | Clerk |
| Address | 'Ellamatta', Windsor Road, North Parramatta, New South Wales |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 21 |
| Next of kin | Mother, Mrs Mary Ann Clarke, 'Ellamatta', Windsor Road, North Parramatta, New South Wales |
| Previous military service | 7th ALH |
| Enlistment date | |
| Rank on enlistment | Private |
| Unit name | 53rd Battalion, 3rd Reinforcement |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/70/3 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A37 Barambah on |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Lance Corporal |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 53rd Battalion |
| Recommendations (Medals and Awards) |
Military Medal (Altered from Distinguished Conduct Medal) Recommendation date: |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Miscellaneous information from cemetery records | Plaque in New South Wales Garden of Remembrance |
| Medals |
Military Medal 'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty as Battalion runners during the attack on PERONNE on the 1st, and 2nd September 1918. During the whole of the operation the shell fire was intense, and consequently telephonic communication was frequently interrupted. Owing to the heavy casualties amongst runners these two men [CLARKE and 3259 E. BARRON] were almost continuously employed for a period of 36 hours carrying messages between Battalion headquarters and the Front Line. The approach to the Front Line was under direct enemy observation, and consequently any movement over this ground drew intense direct Machine Gun fire; notwithstanding this, these two runners volunteered on several occasions to carry urgent messages across to the Front Line and in every case succeeded in delivering their messages and bringing back the replies. The extreme bravery and utter disregard of their personal safety displayed by these two men set the finest possible example to the remainder of the runners, and they were in no small measure responsible for the excellent communication maintained throughout the operation.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 115 Date: |
| Other details |
War service: Western Front Medals: Military Medal, British War Medal, Victory Medal |
| Date of death | |
| Age at death | 31 |
Postal Address:
Po Box 7916
Canberra BC 2610, Australia
Street Address:
Northcott Drive,
Campbell, ACT 2600
