CLARKE, Lieutenant-Colonel Lancelot Fox, DSO MiD VD

Lieutenant-Colonel Lancelot Fox Clarke DSO MiD VD 

4^th Victorian Imperial Bushmen

12^th Battalion AIF

by Robert Simpson

Lancelot Fox Clarke was born on 15^th June 1858 in Melbourne, Victoria. He was the second son to Joseph Johnstone Clarke and Charlotte Elizabeth Kelly, who had been married in Victoria in 1855. Joseph had been born in Maghera, County Londonderry. He died in 1859 in Melbourne. Nothing is known about Charlotte, her birth or what happened to her after her husband died. Their first son was William Henry Clarke, born in Melbourne in 1856, but dying in 1858. Lancelot was educated in Melbourne.

Lancelot joined the Victorian Voluntary Field Artillery in 1878 and was commissioned in December 1884. He was promoted to Captain in 1888 and to Major in March 1893. At the beginning of the Boer War, he was a serving volunteer officer, commanding B Battery VFA. He joined the 4^th Victorian Imperial Bushmen and was appointed second-in-command. They left on SS Victorian on 1^st May 1900 and arrived at Beira in South Africa on 23^rd May 1900. He served from May 1900 to June 1901 in Rhodesia, west Transvaal and Cape Colony. The contingent separated from mid-1900 to early 1901, with Major Clarke commanding C, D, and E squadrons on garrison duty in Rhodesia (part of the Rhodesian Field Force). They were at Marandellas, Fort Charter, Fort Victoria, Tuli, and Buluwayo; being engaged on the lines of communication until the end of the year, when they were ordered to Cape Colony. From 23^rd February to 23^rd June 1901, he commanded the 4^th Victorian Imperial Bushmen after Lieutenant-Colonel Kelly was wounded. They saw a great deal of hard service in Cape Colony. They were engaged at Matjesfontein, collecting stock, removing undesirables, etc., until early February, when they entrained for De Aar, and were attached to Colonel Henniker’s column. Lord Kitchener’s despatch in March 1901 said “it was to Plumer and his Colonials that the greatest share of credit must be given must be given for the eventual expulsion of De Wet from the colony.” Also, during “the whole of that fatiguing day the Victorians did splendid work.” He was awarded the Distinguished Service Order, which was recorded in the London Gazette on 23^rd April 1901 on page 2775, and was listed in War Office telegram number 7179. Lancelot was awarded the Distinguished Service Order “for able command in operations against de Wet”. He was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel on 22^nd June 1901, acknowledging his almost independent command of his 3 squadrons and the 4^th VIB. Opting to stay on in July 1901, he was given an administration posting to the 5^th Victorian Mounted Rifles. On 9^th July 1901, he was also Mentioned in Despatches in Colonel Henniker’s despatch on operations in Zuurberg, Cape Colony in March 1901, which read “I cannot speak too highly of the excellent way in which he has always carried out his orders and the manner in which his Officers and men back him up.” It was recorded in the London Gazette of 9^th July 1901 on page 4550. He was also appointed as Martial Law Administrator in district 13 from July 1902 to July 1902 and was Officer Commanding troops in the North Western Districts of Cape Colony from July 1902 to October 1902. The medal rolls seem to have some discrepancy with his medals, with only 2 clasps shown on his QSA and his name and clasps crossed out on one KSA roll, but not on another. Also, some publications say he was MiD twice, which cannot be proved, but one does refer to his DSO, which is mentioned in the Gazette twice. He returned to Australia in 1903 and joined the Australian Field Artillery. He was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel in April 1907. In 1910, he left Melbourne to reside in Tasmania and was placed on the unattached list.

He married Marion Jane Young on 18^th November 1889. She was the youngest daughter of the late Captain John Young of Liverpool England. This was her second marriage, her first husband, Arthur Gilbert, had passed away in Sydney. They had a daughter, Mabel Florence, born in October 1892 in Victoria and a son, Lancelot Gordon, born on 30^th October 1897 in Melbourne. He was noted as a well known Melbourne shipping agent.

Lancelot was awarded the Colonial Auxiliary Forces Decoration (QV) on 25^th July 1902. He had passed all exams for promotion up to Field Rank, and ‘Tactical Fitness to Command’ in 1906 at Melbourne. Also Marion, his wife, passed away at St. Kilda in 1906.

In the 1909 electoral roll, he was living at St Kilda at 3 Raglan Street and he was an accountant. There was also a Marion Margaret Elizabeth Clarke listed at the same address, and her occupation was home duties. Who she was is not certain, but some sources do suggest there was a daughter named Marion, was she a child of Marion’s first marriage?

In 1911, he was promoted to Colonel. Lancelot was also appointed as Commanding Officer of the 91st Infantry Battalion (Tasmanian Rangers) in 1913. Their headquarters were in Zeehan and his tenure of command was from 28^th July 1913 to 14^th June 1916 as Colonel. In 1914, he took a position in Devonport, Tasmania as a shipping manager. His listing in the 1914 electoral roll showed he was living Wilmot in Tasmania and his occupation was as an accountant. He was with his daughter, Mabel Florence. He was living at Victoria Parade in Davenport West in 1914.

Lancelot Clarke, c1914 Australian War Memorial, H15783

At the beginning of WW1, he was appointed as a Lieutenant-Colonel to command the 12^th Battalion AIF on 17^th August 1914. He enlisted at Pontville, reported to camp on 20^th August 1914 and left camp on 20^th October 1914. On 8^th September 1914, he filled out a form asking that pay of 1 pound and 5 shillings per day be paid to his daughter Mabel of “Prieska” Victoria Parade Devonport. He also had to get a JP to witness a declaration “I Lancelot Fox Clarke of Devonport Officer in Australian Imperial Expeditionary Force do solemnly and sincerely declare that the information contained in my application on C.M. Form A22 attached for a Commission in the above Force is true and correct in every particular and I make this declaration under the provisions of the Evidence Act 1910” and signed by Lancelot and the JP on 30^th August 1914. His application for a Commission in the Australian Imperial Expeditionary Force was dated 29^th August 1914 and recommended on 4^th September. The medical certificate stated he was 5 foot 9.5 inches tall, weighed 12 stone 10 pounds, a chest measurement of 35 to 38 inches and normal eyesight. His religion was listed as Protestant. His previous military service was listed as 6 years in the ranks of the Victorian Volunteer Field Artillery, 26 years Commanding Service in the VFA, 3 years unlisted and 1 year with the 91^st Infantry from July 1913 to sometime in 1914. His civil employment was as a shipping manager.

He was originally listed as a widower, with his next of kin as Mabel, his daughter. On 25^th September 1914, he married Beatrice Susan Moffatt in Tasmania. In Military orders of 1914, he is listed in the precedence of officers for the AIF, under Lieutenant-Colonels, as the first name, L. F. Clarke, D.S.O., V.D. The form has a few address changes for Mable and Beatrice. His War Service was listed as South Africa 1900-1902 where he was 2^nd in command of the 4^th Victorian Contingent from April 1900 to March 1901, then in command in April and June 1901. He was then Officer Commanding troops in North West Districts of Cape Colony from July 1901 to November 1902 and Administrator of Martial Law in No. 13 Area from July 1901 to July 1902.

The 12th Battalion embarked from Hobart on HMAT A2 Geelong on 20th October 1914. He was listed under Headquarters in the Nominal Roll as Lieutenant-Colonel (Honorary Colonel) Lancelot Fox Clarke, a 56 year old shipping manager from Victoria Parade, Devonport West, Tasmania. His religion was listed as Protestant. He was serving with the 92^nd Infantry AMF unit at the date of his enrolment. His daily rate of pay before embarkation was 37 shillings and 6 pence, and after embarkation it was an allotment to Australia of 30 shillings, with 12 shillings and 6 pence the nett rate and 7 shillings and 6 pence deferred until completion of service.

He was 176 cm tall. They called him “the old Colonel.” He embarked on a ship to join the MEF at Gallipoli Peninsula from Alexandria on 2^nd March 1915.

The transports taking the 3^rd Brigade were at Imbros on Saturday 24^th April. After inspection the men were told to rest until 11pm and Colonel Clarke suggested to his officers: “You fellows had better go and have a sleep.” Lancelot went to a cabin to have a rest and later on Lieutenant Margetts went in to see if he needed any service. As he looked in the dark cabin, Lancelot said “Margetts, are the men all right?” Later on, the officers sat together over a cup of cocoa. As part of the 3^rd Australian Brigade, the 12^th Battalion with Lancelot landed at Gallipoli a little south of Ari Burnu point at dawn on the 25^th April 1915. They could see the Sphinx in profile in the morning dawn. He urged some men, who had not been able to advance over the ground from the beach to the cliff slopes due to the Turks fire, to move forward, leading the way himself. According to Corporal Elmer Laing, a Perth man in the 12th Battalion, the shots from the enemy as his group waited off-shore “sounded like hailstones on a tin roof as they rattled against the destroyer”. He added: “We hopped into the rowing boats as quickly as possible; the pinnace took us in tow; and off we went towards the shore under a perfect hail of bullets and shrapnel. Before we reached the shore we had six casualties in our boat, and before we could get landed two more. So you see that it was pretty hot.” Laing and his section took off their packs and moved towards the left flank with some of the 11th Battalion men. The Turks “did not wait for us”, he added, and the cliffs were “unclimbable in places”. Colonel Clarke decided that troops were getting off too slowly, so with the men he had (including 11^th Battalion), they pushed up the cliffs, with the rest to follow. He ordered a group to go to the left and silence a machine gun. He knew they had landed at the wrong place, so they needed to move off the beach quickly and up the cliffs before the Turks sent in more troops. Getting to the top of a hill (Russell’s Top), the Turks fled from their trench. Lancelot shouted from behind: “Steady, you fellows! Get into some sort of formation and clear the bush as you go.”

Lancelot was climbing a cliff face on the south side of the Sphinx which was very steep and slippery (Russell’s Top). Half way up he was panting and almost exhausted, as he was still carrying his heavy backpack. Corporal Laing came up to him and told him to throw the pack away, to which he replied “No.” Corporal Laing then said “All right, let me carry the pack.” They climbed the rest of the way together. At the top, they found the Turks in a trench. Lancelot called for a signaller. He sat down and started to write a report to Brigade Headquarters, but was shot through the heart by a sniper and died at once. Corporal Laing said: “We advanced about one mile and a half due east of our landing place, and found the Turks holding a ridge in great strength. So we lay down, and opened fire. I was alongside the Colonel, and had just given him his pack and got down again, when, ‘zipp’ a bullet got him in the body; he was dead in a minute. Major Elliott was sent for. He had been there only two seconds when he was hit. Another officer came up – and he was hit. The adjutant was hit, and also the man on the other side of the Colonel.” The other man was Lancelot’s batman.

Captain Ernest Hilmer Smith, a Tasmanian in the 12th Battalion, described his “warm welcome”: “There was no time or opportunity of organising, we just had to climb up hills – something like those round the Cataract Gorge, only much steeper, and covered with prickly scrub, which tore our clothes and hands. On landing we were raked with shrapnel from Gaba Tepe, a fort about one mile to our right, and from machine guns about 600 yards on our left. Our casualties during the first hour were very heavy. I was only half an hour in the firing line when I was shot.”

Another book adds: “The death of Col. Clarke is noteworthy as he was in charge of the troops on the A2 Geelong, the troopship that transported the 3FCE and 12^th Battalion to Egypt the previous year and whom we spoke about on the voyage. Lt. Colonel Clarke was the 57 year old commander of the 12^th Battalion. In an amazing feat the old Colonel and a handful of others had clambered to the level of Russell’s Top, via the gravelly almost perpendicular crags to the south of the Sphinx. He had moved to a point near the Nek where he was writing a message and then fell with a pencil in one hand and a book in the other – shot dead. It would be a fortnight before his body was recovered and buried.”

Captain I. S. Margetts of the 12^th Battalion, in a letter to his parents on 23^rd May 1915, wrote: “Col. Clarke, who was about 20 yards to my right, called for a signaller, and commenced to write a report to Brigade Headquarters but was shot through the head and died at once.”

Private H. W. Cavill, who was wounded and was crawling back to the beach, wrote: “I had gone only a short distance when I came upon a touching spectacle. I was crossing a narrow road on the summit of a hill when I saw an officer sitting upright on the roadside, with his back to the shrubs that grew on either side. I approached, but he did not speak or move, so I crawled up close, and found to my surprise that he was dead. He had just been in the act of writing when a bullet through the heart caused instantaneous death. He had never moved an inch; his notebook was still in the left hand, while the right still held a pencil poised in a natural position over the book. He was a Colonel, past middle age, grey-haired, wearing a breast of service medals”.

Bean also wrote “Colonel Clarke was anxious to send a message to Colonel MacLagan, in command of the covering forces, telling him where the 12^th Battalion was. He was standing by the track, writing in his message book, when he fell with the pencil in one hand and the book in the other. The Colonel’s batman, who was ready to take the message, fell dead with another bullet.” He added, “ Colonel Clarke, of the 12^th, and elderly Victorian officer, led his men with exceeding gallantry; but his career, which began so splendidly, ended with death in the first fight.”

Colonel Lalor was exited and showed the strain. He said to Captain Morshead: “The poor Colonel, he was killed – dropped just like that!’

He was the first Battalion Commander to die on Gallipoli, the only one on 25^th April and also the eldest Australian to die on that day. In the short hour he had on Gallipoli, he had successfully led his men off the beach and inland after the retreating Turks; which had been his orders, and he had carried them out. A newspaper article on 6^th May 1915 told of him being “a highly respected member of the staff of the Melbourne Steamship Company Ltd and occupied the position of manager of the Devonport branch in Tasmania for a number of years. He was a man of sterling character, and his death will be severely felt by a large circle of friends and by the company.”

Lancelot was buried at Beach Cemetery at the southern point of Anzac Cove at Gallipoli in Plot I.B.13. His gravestone reads: “Lieutenant Colonel L. F. Clarke DSO. 12^th Bn. Australian Inf. 25 April 1915 Age 57 Sans Peur et Sans Reproche (without fear and without reproach).

He is recorded in Commonwealth War Graves Index No G1.30 in Beach Cemetery at Anzac as “CLARKE, Lt. Col. Lancelot Fox, D.S.O. 12^th Bn. Australian Inf. Killed in action 25^th April, 1915. Age 57. Son of the late Joseph Johnston Clarke and Charlotte Elizabeth Clarke; husband of Beatrice Fox Clarke, of Holbrook, Tasmania. Native of Melbourne, Australia. I. B. 13.

Beach Cemetery Ari Burnu, Colonel Clarke’s grave is in the row that finishes at the right corner of this photo. The backdrop is the Sphinx and the southern face of the cliff that he climbed with determination.

The Advertiser newspaper of Adelaide of Thursday 6^th May 1915 contained the following obituary;-

“THE HEROIC DEAD LIEUTENANT COLONEL CLARKE.

The late Lieutenant Colonel Lancelot Fox Clarke, D.S.O., V.D., was commanding the 12^th Infantry Battalion, which comprised troops from Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia, and which had its headquarters in Tasmania. He was 57 years of age. He received his first commission in 1884, was appointed Lieutenant in 1884 and attained the rank of Captain four years later. He was appointed Major in the Field Artillery Brigade (Victoria) in 1893. Colonel Clarke saw active service in the South African war, in which he fought from 1900 to 1902. He served with the Rhodesian Field Force. In the Transvaal he was officer commanding the North Western Districts, and also acted as Administrator No. 13 for the Martial Law Area of Cape Colony. He had command of the 4^th V.M.R. from February 22, 1901 to June 23 of the same year, and was mentioned in dispatches on April 23 and July 9, 1901. He was awarded a Queen’s medal with four clasps and a King’s medal with two clasps. His widow was formerly Miss Beatrice Moffat of Adelaide and is a grand-daughter of the well-known centenarian, Surgeon-Major J. B. Hinton. She was so prostrated at the news of her husband’s death that her removal to a private hospital was necessary. The sad intimation came first to Mrs. Clarke through the newspapers and not by direct advice previously to its publication.” The Argus in Melbourne also carried a brief story of his life and his picture, along with other officers that had been killed.

Lancelot was a member of the Naval and Military Club of Melbourne and was also an active member of the Melbourne Rowing Club for some years. His Active Service record would have to be one of the shortest written, with only one line saying “HQ Cable, Death, Dardanelles, 25/28/4/15” and “Killed in Action”.

On 10^th July 1915, the Paymaster sent a telegram to Base Records, asking for the date of death of Colonel Clarke. Their reply was sent on 12th July, that he was killed in action between the 25^th and 28^th April 1915, by a cable dated 4^th May. A Field Service report was sent on 18^th June 1915 from Alexandria, which confirmed those details and said that he had no effects to hand for a will. On 11^th August 1915, Base Records sent a request to the District Paymaster in Tasmania asking for the late Colonel Clarke’s pay book for necessary action. Beatrice Susan Fox Clarke was granted a war pension claim of 131 pounds per annum from 1^st July 1915. Her address was listed as C/o Miss Mabel Clarke, Union St, Malvern in Victoria. Lancelot Gordon Clarke of 16 Union Street Malvern was granted a war pension claim of 52 pounds per annum from 1^st July 1915, on 9^th December 1915. Mabel Florence Clarke was also granted a pension from the same date for the same amount. On 14^th March 1916, Base Records in Victoria replied to Mabel discussing when her father was killed and buried and if more details came in, they would be passed to her. Mabel’s address was Victoria parade in Devonport. The District Paymaster in Hobart (6^th Military District) wrote to Base Records on 16^th March 1916, asking for a death certificate for Lieutenant-Colonel L. F. Clarke. On 24^th March 1916, Base Records sent the Paymaster at Hobart a copy of the certificate of the report of the death of Colonel L. F. Clarke.

An inventory of his effects was made and included 1 locked tin box, 1 unlocked valise, 1unlocked canvas bag and 1 unlocked kit bag. They were despatched on 13^th August 1915 and were sent by Thomas Cook and Son to Miss M Clarke in Tasmania. The unlocked kits were itemised and a list produced which included all of his personal items and clothing, letters and a diary. Mabel signed for them on 17^th December 1915. In September 1916, Beatrice asked what had happened to his kit (through her estate agents Lyons and Leader). The reply from Base Records stated that Mabel had received them and had signed for them. The estate agents replied, thanking them for that information. Base Records asked Lyons and Leader for the address of Beatrice, to which they replied on 2^nd August 1920, as 125 Davey Street Hobart. They were asking for her address so that they could dispose of Lancelot’s medals. On 29^th July 1920, Base Records in Victoria wrote to Repatriation Department in South Australia asking for her address as well (for the same reason), to which they replied that they had no records there for her husband and they should enquire to the Hobart Branch. They had previously written to the Pension Office in Melbourne, who had said her pension details had been sent to South Australia in August 1915, so it would be better to ask them for her address.

On 25^th June 1920, Base Records wrote to Mabel, asking for the address of Colonel Clarke’s widow, so they could finalise his affairs. If she was deceased they wanted to know his eldest surviving son’s address. Mabel replied on 1^st July, saying “I regret that I am unable to give you and definite information. To the best of my belief Mrs Clarke is alive, & is drawing a widow’s pension, which fact will no doubt help you trace her. I would suggest that you make enquiries in Hobart where I believe Mrs Clarke was living for some time. Mr Lancelot G Clarke, only son of the late Colonel Clarke D.S.O. resides at the above address.” It is presumed she means 92 Stanhope Street Malvern (her address as well).

Beatrice filled out a Roll of Honour form for him, but did not include many details. His name is located on the Roll of Honour wall at the Australian War Memorial at 65 in the commemorative area. She also applied for War Gratuity in respect of a deceased solider. On the form she listed herself as his wife, that his father is not still alive and Lancelot was married, and she was wholly dependent on him for support. She did not received the payment of separated allowance, but was drawing a war pension of 5 pounds and 9 pence a fortnight. The post office to which the payment was made was Lindisfarne, a suburb of Hobart. Beatrice did not receive the balance of pay due to Lancelot and she was not a beneficiary in the deceased soldier’s estate. She also listed Mabel, who was living in Melbourne, as his daughter and beneficiary. She signed it in Hobart on 23^rd August 1920, and stated she was living at 125 Waverley Street Hobart and her occupation was domestic duties. She gave her bank details to deposit the War Gratuity into as Savings Bank of Murray Street Hobart and the account number was 112099. He did not have a will, but letters of administration were at Public Trustee. There is a note saying wife and 2 children were people in receipt of Pensions. The rate was 25 shillings a day and the total of 128 pounds, 9 shillings and 6 pence was paid, with payment in cash recommended and approved. His total pay was 643 pounds and 5 shillings for his service.

On 1^st May 1916, Mabel wrote to the Paymaster in Hobart asking: “I should be grateful if you should give me any information about the deferred pay which was due to my father, the late Col. L. F. Clarke D.S.O. V.D. As it is now over a year since my father’s death, I feel that it is quite reasonable to seek some definite information on this matter.” She was living at Kool Kuna, Union Street Malvern Victoria at the time. Their reply advised her to contact the Public Trustee in Hobart, as they were handling it. Oddly enough, the District Paymaster in Hobart had sent a letter to Mabel on 15^th February 1916, addressed as Mrs Beatrice F. Clarke, c/o Miss Mabel Clarke at the above address saying that the pay due to Lancelot had been passed for payment and was dependant of the Declarations enclosed with the letter being completed. Signatures had to be witnessed by a Justice of the Peace and then the total of over 116 pounds would be payed. A reply on 6^th March 1916 from District Paymaster in Hobart to Messer’s Lyons and Leader noted that for various reasons Mrs Clarke is unable to make the necessary declarations. The matter was referred to the Public Trustee in Hobart, who would contact them and the District Paymaster also sent them all the correspondence. Also, on 24^th February 1916, Lyons and Leader (who were estate agents) wrote to the District Paymaster in Hobart the following letter:-

“Dear Sir, re pay due to late Lt. Col. L. F. Clarke. Mrs Beatrice Clarke, widow of above-named deceased, has asked us to communicate with you with regard to your letter of 15^th inst, and the declarations enclosed within. In the first place Mrs Clarke is asked to declare that she was well acquainted with the deceased’s business affairs at the time of his death. Mrs Clarke cannot conscientiously declare to this effect, as she was only married to deceased three weeks prior to his departure on active service. Also Mrs Clarke is asked to declare that she is the sole surviving next of kin of the deceased, which she cannot do, as deceased had two daughters by his first wife. We will be obliged if you could advise us as soon as possible what steps are necessary to be taken to complete this matter.”

On 20^th September 1916, the Paymaster at Hobart replied to Messer’s Lyons & Leader of 22 King William Street Adelaide, who had enquired of Lancelot’s kit. He replied that it was not the right place to ask of those details, and that Base Records in Melbourne was the appropriate people to contact. They were asking on behalf of his widow, saying that as yet she had received none of his effects.

Base Records delivered Lancelot’s Form of Commission to Mabel, which she signed for on 30^th July 1918. They also said that it referred to his first appointment to Commission, not to the later rank of Colonel. The address they had for her at that time was 16 Union St Malvern.

Mabel wrote to Base Records on 12^th December 1919, thanking them for the details they gave her on her father’s burial place and noted that future correspondence should be sent to 92 Stanhope Street Malvern, her home at that time. Beatrice signed for his 1914-15 Star on 25^th August 1920 and gave her address as 125 Davey Street. A record of ‘Where the Australians Rest’ was sent to Beatrice on 13^th January 1921 and the Memorial Scroll on 5^th July 1921. In October 1922, Base Records urgently asked the Pension Department what was the address of Beatrice Clarke. A medal sent to her at 92 Stanhope Street had been returned unclaimed as her address was unknown, but was sent back by Lancelot (his son). An address of 16 Union Street Malvern was handwritten on the request. Beatrice did sign for the photos of his grave that were sent to her, but no date was written, just a note at the bottom saying “Through a mistake this was not forwarded earlier”. A letter sent from Base Records in Victoria to Mrs B. S. F. Clarke of Holbrook Place Tasmania on 17^th November 1922, was returned unclaimed. They were confirming her address to send a medal to her. The Tasmanian Repatriation Branch let Base Records know that they did not know an address for Beatrice as the records had been transferred to the South Australian branch in November 1922. The Repatriation Department in South Australia let Base Records know, in early September 1923 that “the war pension on behalf of the widow of the abovementioned was transferred to London in December, 1922, her address then being C/o Y. W. C. A., Hanover Square, London.” In late September 1923, they sent a letter to Beatrice, asking if this was her current address, so they could send communications to her. Base Records sent her a letter again on 4^th September 1924, asking if they could send “certain war mementos issuable on the account of the service of your husband”. The address was written as Mrs B. S. F. Clarke, C/o Messrs Thomas Cook and Son, Prazza Esedra, Rome Italy. They had got the address from the Deputy Commissioner of Pensions in London. Beatrice sent them a letter on 22^nd October 1924 from Florence in Italy, saying that as she “is moving about it would be safer to all communications to care of Westminster Foreign Bank, Rue de Frurenberg, Brussels, Belgium, which is my permanent address.” The letter arrived at Base Records on 24^th November 1924, the same day as a reply from Repatriation Commission in Adelaide, saying her last known address was C/o YWCA Hanover Square London. They suggested contacting the Deputy Commissioner of Pensions in London. She also signed for his British War and Victory medals on 20^th July 1925 and the Memorial Plaque on 20^th July 1925.

Lancelot Gordon Clarke (his son) is remembered in the Great War Memorial in St Martin’s Chapel in St George’s Church Malvern on Panel 1. The details that are recorded are:-

Lieutenant Lancelot Gordon Clarke

SN: 22320 Enlisted 17 January 1916 Age 18

Sister: Miss Mabel Clarke, 16 Union Street, Malvern, then 92 Stanhope Street, Malvern

Student

23rd Field Artillery Brigade, 8th Field Artillery Brigade

Previously 4 years Senior Cadets, 6 months Melbourne University Rifles

France

Promoted 2nd Lieutenant 18 August 1916; Lieutenant 5 March 1917

Wounded in Action 25 September 1917, to 2nd British Red Cross Hospital, to Prince of Wales Hospital, Marylebone, London, UK, to Sutton Veny Hospital, Wiltshire, UK

Returned to Australia 1 July 1919

His father, Lieutenant-Colonel Lancelot Fox Clarke DSO VD, commanding the 12th Infantry Battalion, was Killed in Action at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915

Note: Denomination given on Attestation Paper is Presbyterian

The Mercury of Hobart on Saturday 12^th January 1952 had the article “DEATH OF GALLIPOLI VETERAN Lancelot Gordon Clarke, a veteran of the First World War, died yesterday morning at the Repatriation hospital, Hobart. He was the only son of the late Col. L. F. Clarke, D.S.O., V.D., and Mrs. Marion Jane Clarke, of Melbourne. Mr. Clarke enlisted at the age of 18 and took part in the landing at Gallipoli as a lieutenant in the 3^rd Divisional Artillery. His father, who commanded the 12^th Battalion at Gallipoli, was one of the first killed. Mr. Clarke was wounded in France in 1917. He was attached to the V.D.C. as a lieutenant during the Second World War. He is survived by two sisters, Marion and Mabel.”

He was cremated and The Mercury of Hobart recorded the following details on Monday 14^th January 1952 “CLARKE.-Friends of the late Mr. Lancelot G. (Bill) Clarke (late Lieut., 3^rd Division Artillery, 1^st A.I.F., and V.D.C., 1939) are respectfully invited to attend his funeral, which will move from the funeral chapel of the undersigned on Monday (This Day), at 9.35 a.m., arriving at the Crematorium Chapel, Cornelian Bay, at 10 a.m. CLARK BROS., A.F.D.A. He was also a member of the Hobart sub-branch of the RSS&AILA and a brother at Victory Lodge No. 34 T.C.

The Military Liaison Officer at Australia House in London wrote to the Secretary of the Department of Defence in Melbourne on 15^th July 1938 about Mrs Fox Clarke calling in there and leaving them the medals to her late husband. They included the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory medal, miniatures of the DSO, QSA with 4 clasps, KSA with 2 clasps and the Colonial Auxiliary Forces medal and the Memorial Plaque. She requested that they were to be sent to Lancelot’s son, but she did not know his address in Australia. They listed two possible names – Lancelot Gordon Clarke (Lieutenant in the 3^rd Division Artillery AIF) or Lancelot Walter Clarke (Private 6901 17^th Battalion AIF) and was sure it was the first person, as she knew he had received a commission. They wanted to confirm which one was his son, so they could send the medals to him. Defence replied that the first one was him, as his service records confirmed who he was, and gave his present address as 21 Melville Street Hobart.

On 25^th May 1953, Base Records replied to a Mr G Clarke of Somerset Villa, Porirua, Wellington, New Zealand that they had no records of a near relative of Lieutenant-Colonel L F Clarke DSO and that as a suggestion, he should advertise in the local newspapers in Tasmania. He had written, saying that the editor of the Geelong Advertiser had contacted him, saying that he could not trace Lieutenant-Colonel Clarke through his records, but that Base Records would be able to. He also talked about the 12^th Battalion and the Geelong that they travelled on to Egypt and noted Lancelot was born in Melbourne and was one of the first officers to be killed on Anzac.

Lieutenant-Colonel L. F. Clark (Killed).

His medals are Distinguished Service Order; Queens South Africa medal with clasps Rhodesia, Cape Colony, Orange Free State and Transvaal; Kings South Africa medal with clasps South Africa 1901 and South Africa 1902; 1914-15 Star, British War medal, Victory medal and Colonial Auxiliary Forces Decoration (Volunteer Decoration). He was Mentioned in Despatches for South Africa.

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