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Wilfred E Clarke and Friends
Wilfred E Clarke and Friends
Photo: Margaret McCormack
Views: 3,212
Item #: 26001
Wilfred E Clarke is the middle man standing, he enlisted in April 1915 and the photo is probably from that time. Wilfred was killed in France on October 13th 1918. I would love to know who the other lads are with Wilfred. He had been a drawer at Priestners Pits. His name was on the roll of Honour at Brunswick United Methodist Church Hindley Green. He lived at 247 Leigh Rd. Hindley Green and he served with the Lancashire Fusiliers. He was my Great Uncle.

Comment by: Rev David Long on 10th February 2015 at 20:54

The seated man looks as if he might be wearing the Silver War Medal on his lapel - this was awarded from 1916 to men honourably discharged from the forces, through sickness or injury most commonly. He also appears to be wearing his medal bar - just visible on the right of his waistcoat. As he looks a fit young man he perhaps wore these to avoid being insulted for not being in uniform.
There's a story to be told from this pic.

Comment by: peter barker on 11th February 2015 at 14:10

The Lancashire Fusilier on the right of pic looks to have some rank......officer ?

The man on the left of the pictures cap badge looks to be the Machine Gun Corps.
Unfortunately the soldier in the centre's cap badge is difficult to be seen.Though as the OP gives a name, that shouldn't be too difficult to ascertain.

Comment by: Brendell on 11th February 2015 at 15:01

Although the seated man in the centre appears to be uninjured he seems to be going to a lot of trouble to hide his hands.

Comment by: Alan winstanley on 11th February 2015 at 19:14

Well Margaret very well done for managing to upload the photo My wife's MOTHER is the sister of WILFRED E.CLARKE THE HERO SOLDIER IN THE CENTRE.I TOO WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM ANY OF THE RELATIVES OF ANY OF THE OTHER BRAVE LADS,TO HELP A BIT , HER MAIDEN NAME OBVIOUSLY CLARKE WAS MARGARET TO ALL SHE WAS" PEGGY " AND MARRIED FRANK CLIFFORD HAYES OF SWAN LANE /HINDLEY GREEN AREA, THEY GOT ONE OF THE FIRST COOUNCIL HOUSE'S IN THOMAS STREET No 70 IN 1936 AND LIVED ALL THIER LIFE THERE INTIL THEY PASSED THEN PEGGY'S DAUGHTER MARGARET MARRIED ALAN WINSTANLEY I 1971 THEY CARRIED ON LIVING THERE UNTIL 2008 THEN MOVED, BUT SHE HAS NEVER FORGOT HER UNCLE A TRUE HERO. ALL THESE MARGARET'S IS CONFUSING BUT TO YOU MARGARET MCCORMACK OUR COUSIN THANK YOU VERY, VERY MUCH ..

Comment by: Ken on 13th February 2015 at 15:48

From a search of the Commonwealth Graves website I found :- Rank:PrivateService No:49456
Date of Death:13/10/1918 Age:20 Regiment/Service:Lancashire Fusiliers 19th Bn. Grave Reference: A. 40. Cemetery:HASPRES COPPICE CEMETERY, HASPRES
Additional Information: Son of Margaret Ann Powell, of 247, Leigh Rd., Hindley Green, Wigan. Hope this "helps".

Comment by: alan winstanley on 19th November 2021 at 16:34

AS of today we have not found anyone yet to make further enquires about WILFRED CLARKE , We have seen his war record and found that he was a young capable soldier who carried out various task's he was involved in several battles , but alas after going thro most of that horrible war he almost made it home , he was shot so we have been informed going forward on a charge . only to be shot and killed on the above date supplied by a person named KEN , SO if there is any chance anyone knows anything WE WOULD BE ETERNALLY GRATEFUL ......... ....

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