Lance Serjeant FRANK CLARK (photo added)

Serviceman Headstone image Serviceman grave marker Serviceman thumbnail
Rank Lance Serjeant
Forenames FRANK
Surname CLARK (photo added)
Initials F
Place of Birth BELFAST, UNITED KINGDOM
Date of Birth Saturday, 25 September 1920
Date of Death Thursday, 08 June 1944
Age 23
Nationality British
Residence or Entered Service From WALTHAMSTOW, ESSEX, UNITED KINGDOM
Service Number 5771870
Force British Army
Service/Corps/Regiment Royal Norfolk Regiment
Unit / Ship / Battalion / Squadron 1 Battalion, Royal Norfolk Regiment (3rd Infantry Division)
Military Honours and Awards 1939-1945 Star, France and Germany Star, Defence Medal, 1939-1945 War Medal
Place of Burial/Commemoration HERMANVILLE WAR CEMETERY
Roll of honour
Grave/Memorial Location 1. G. 1.
Previous Place(s) of Burial Unknown
Epitaph
Family Details SON OF HENRY GEORGE AND HILDA CLARK, OF WALTHAMSTOW, ESSEX.

Additional Information

Photograph of Lance Serjeant FRANK CLARK, taken in 1939
for his maternal grandmother, Mrs Parsons.
It is the last known photograph of him.

 

 

FRANK CLARK was born in the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast on Saturday 25th September 1920.

 

He was the son of Henry 'Harry' Clark who had served in 1/10 Battalion (County of London) Battalion, Territorial Force, during the First World War. 'Harry' Clark was qualified as a sniper and served with his regiment at Gallipoli. Later he served in Egypt and took part in General Allenby's battle for Jerusalem in November and Decemeber 1917. He was discharged from the territorial army in Egypt in 1919, and signed on as a regular the next day.

 

It was while 'Harry' Clark was stationed in Belfast in 1920 that FRANK CLARK was born. in 1936 'Harry' Clark tranferred back to the territorial army with a commision in the Royal Norfolk Regiment.

 

FRANK CLARK joined the army as a bandsman, he served with 2 Battalion, Royal Norfolk Regiment, before being transferred to 1 Battalion, Royal Norfolk Regiment.

 

His family were told that he was on a tank, on the afternoon of Thursday 8th June 1944, when he was hit by shrapnel in the head, shoulder and stomach. He died of his wounds that evening.1

 

The war diary for 1 Battalion, Royal Norfolk Regiment record that day's action:

 
Commanding Officer: Lieutenant Colonel R. H. BELLAMY
 
In the field: 8 JUNE 1944
 
Fairly quiet but succesful day for Battalion. Intermittent mortaring registered on right of position, causing 3 casualties. A task force went out, commanded [by] Major Wilson, consisting of B Company, 3 sections of carriers, detatchment of pioneers, 2 self-propelled anti-tank guns to look after the Brigade left foward flank.
 
Their night activity successfully disposed of a local marine commandant in charge of Nazi affairs and many snipers.
 
Wider picture of night's activity showed no great change. Night fairly quiet. Patrol activities by both sides.2

 

 

Lance Sejeant FRANK CLARKS father, had been in Singapore and then Malaya, where he was taken prisoner, in 1941. 'Harry' Clark didn't receive news of his sons' death until 9th September 1945, and returned to the family on leave on the 28th September 1945.

 

 

References
1. Information and photogaphs kindly provided by Richard Law, nephew of Lance Serjeant FRANK CLARK.
2. War Diary. 1 Battalion, Royal Norfolk Regiment. National Archives WO171/1350.

 

Acknowledgements and Credits
Source of original data: Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Headstone photograph: Carl Shilleto
Cross marker photograph:  
Individual photograph: Richard Law, nephew of Lance Serjeant FRANK CLARK
Additional photographs provided by: Richard Law, nephew of Lance Serjeant FRANK CLARK and Carl Shilleto
Additional information provided by: Richard Law, nephew of Lance Serjeant FRANK CLARK

 

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What other people have said

puçol

Juan muñoz gomez

RESPECT AND HONOR. RIP

On Saturday, March 1, 2014