1885 - 1916
CPL David Wallace Crawford
1887 - 1916
Lce-Corpl John Joseph Nickle
1894 - 1916
Pte 17911 Morton Neill
1897 - 1916
Lieut Edward Stanley Ashcroft
1883 - 1918
Pte 27333 Wilfred George Ffitch Clark
- Age: 21
- From: Whitley Bay
- Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 17th Btn
- K.I.A Monday 3rd December 1917
- Commemorated at: Tyne Cot Memorial
Panel Ref: Panel 31-34
Wilfred was born in Whitley Bay in 1896 the son of Harry Ffitch Clark and his wife Alice (née Dalton) who married in Newcastle in the June quarter of 1883. He had two brothers Cuthbert and Leo and a sister, Mary.
The 1901 Census shows the family living at 75 Heaton Park Road, Newcastle. Wilfred is aged 4 living with his parents, hsi father, Harry Ffitch Clark, is aged 60 and is recorded as a commercial traveller born in London, his mother, Alice is aged 36, and was born in Liverpool, and his siblings: Cuthbert Henry, aged 17, is an apprentice engineer born in Newcastle, Leo W.F. is aged 13, born Newcastle,, Mary Catherine is aged 11, born in Gosforth. They also have one servant.
His father died, aged 74, in Gateshead in 1909.
On the 1911 Census, Wilfred then aged 14 is a student at a Preparatory school; Hawkesyard College, Rugeley, Staffordshire. He then went on to the University of London.
Interestingly, on the 1921 Census at Hawksyard College, his brother Leo was a Catholic Priest and Mathematics Professor.
At the time that war broke out Wilfred was living in Liverpool, and enlisted in the third week of May 1915. He was serving in the 17th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 27333 when he was killed in action on 03rd December 1917, aged 21.
His service record shows the following;
Service:-
15.03.16 - Embarked for France.
16.03.16 - Joined 30 Infantry Base Depot (Etaples).
27.03.16 - Joined 17 Btn. K.L.R.
01.07.16 - During the first day of the Battle of the Somme was admitted to 13 Corps Collecting (GSW to neck) and transferred to 45 Casualty Clearing Station the same day.
02.07.16 - Admitted to 1 General Hospital.
04.07.16 - To Convalescent Camp.
11.07.16 - Posted to 18 Btn. K.L.R.
21.07.16 - Rejoined 17 Btn. K.L.R.
09.04.17 - Wounded in action (sw to chest) and admitted to 43 Field Ambulance.
11.04.17 - Rejoined Battalion.
19.05.17 - Granted 1st Good Conduct Badge.
05-15.05.17 - On leave to U.K.
03.12.17 - KIA.
A notice appeared in the Liverpool Echo on 22nd December 1917:
“December 3, killed instantaneously in action, aged 21 years, Wilfred George Ffitch Clark, K.L.R. R.I.P.”
In 1918 the University of London published their War List, and under his name it states he was “twice wounded ” but incorrectly gives his regiment as the K.R.R.C. (King’s Royal Rifle Corps).
Wilfred's body was either not found or was subsequently lost as his name is recorded on the Tyne Cot Memorial in Belgium.
Those United Kingdom and New Zealand servicemen who died after August 16th 1917 are named on the Tyne Cot Memorial, a site which marks the furthest point reached by Commonwealth forces in Belgium until nearly the end of the war.
The Tyne Cot Memorial now bears the names of almost 35,000 officers and men whose graves are not known. The memorial, designed by Sir Herbert Baker with sculpture by Joseph Armitage and F.V. Blundstone, was unveiled by Sir Gilbert Dyett on 20 June 1927.
The memorial forms the north-eastern boundary of Tyne Cot Cemetery, which was established around a captured German blockhouse or pill-box used as an advanced dressing station.
He earned his two medals. His medal cards are in the name of Clarke and record both the 17th and 18th Battalions.
His Soldiers Effects, Army Pay was shared by mother Alice, brothers Cuthbert and Rev. Leo W., and sister Mary Catherine Austen (£2 13s 11d each). His mother, Alice, received a War Gratuity of £11 10s and a pension of 3/6 pw. Her initial address Hillcroft, Crown Road, Norbiton, Surrey, then 18 Chesnutt Road, Kingston upon Thames, and finally becoming 45 Lawrence Road, Home Bay, Auckland, New Zealand.
Typed copies of letters (photocopies) by 27333 Private Wilfred George Ffitch Clark (son of Harry Fitch/Ffitch Clark), 17th Battalion, King's Liverpool Regiment, BEF, written to his mother Alice, and brothers Bert (Cuthbert) and Leo, from the Western Front, where he was killed in action on 3rd December 1917. Also includes letters of condolence from officers and friends. See the full index. https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/discover/collections/record/1012241?k=%22Wilfred%20George%20Ffitch%20Clark%22
His brother Leo was born on the 05th October 1887 and was baptised on the 14th at St. Mary's Church, Clayton Street, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. He died in Grenada on 06th March 1965.
Probate 1966:-
CLARK Leo otherwise Kevin or CLARKE Leo Kevin of The Catholic Presbytery Birch Grove St. Andrew Grenada West Indies died 6 March 1965 Probate London 17 February to The Dominican Council. Effects Nil.
We currently have no further information on Wilfred George Ffitch Clark, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.
A sad post script to this story is that Wilfred's nephew also named Wilfred, the son of Cuthbert, was killed in action on 02nd June 1940 aged 20 whilst serving with the Royal Artillery. This was during the fighting around Dunkirk.
Killed On This Day.
(109 Years this day)Thursday 17th May 1917.
Pte 59030 Percy Croysdale Cleminson
31 years old
(109 Years this day)
Thursday 17th May 1917.
Corporal 33376 William Eric Sweetman
20 years old
(108 Years this day)
Friday 17th May 1918.
Pte 37751 James Milligan McCormick
26 years old