Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, Military Division, 1st Type, M.B.E.; 1914-15 Star (2.LIEUT. W.L. CLARKE. R.BERKS.R.); British War Medal (2.LIEUT. W.L. CLARKE.); Victory Medal (2.LIEUT. W.L CLARKE.) - with corresponding miniatures
Wilfred Lawson Clarke was born in Winkfield, Berkshire in 1884. Having been commissioned he served in WWI with the 8th Bn Royal Berks Regiment and was WIA , later transferring to the Army Educational Corps with whom he spent many years in India whilst employed by the Indian Railways. He was awarded the MBE in 1929 as the Commandant of the Army Educational Corps, King George's Royal Indian Military School, Jhelum.
According to the 1939 Register he had retired from the Indian Railways in 1933 and had been with the Volunteer Corps for 21 years (this would be an allusion to his work with the Army Educational Corps). He was living at 16 Belvedere Road, Bromley, Kent.
A newspaper article in the Windsor and Eton Express of 18 December 1915 provided more information around his wounding:
"2nd Lieutenant Wilfred L Clarke of the 8th battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment, formerly assistant master at Cranborne Ranelagh School, was recently wounded and we now learn that he is the Royal Free Hospital in Grays Inn Road, London. He was wounded at Hulloch (Northern France), somewhere about 27-29 November (1915) while in command of his brigades trench mortar battery, at the time serving the Cameron Highlanders. He had only been appointed to this important position three days previously and this was his first time in action with them. His duty was to clear a German sap. the head of which was only 15 yards from the English trench. This was on the night of the 28th or thereabouts. The next morning the enemy had evidently heard of the battery, and commenced shelling heavily. Lt Clarke was hit and knew no one till he came to consciousness in a hospital at Le Touquet five or six days later. He is suffering from concussion and shell shock, but is making great strides towards complete recovery."
The Reading Evening Post of 13 October 1975 carried the news of his demise: "On October 11, 1975, peacefully at home, 6 Knowle Close, Caversham, Lt Colonel Wilfred Lawson Clarke. M.B.E., in his 90th year, dearly loved and loving father of Margot. Funeral service privately at his home."
Sold with some research. Medals are in good condition unless otherwise indicated.
