Four: Leading Seaman W. Clarke, Royal Navy

1914-15 Star (192385 W. Clarke, L.S., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (192385 W. Clarke. L.S. R.N.); Royal Fleet Reserve L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (192385 (Ch. B.2530). W. Clark [sic]. L.S. R.F.R) contact marks and edge bruising to last, generally very fine (4) £60-£80

William Clarke was born in Seaforth, Lancashire, on 9 January 1881 and joined the Royal Navy as a Boy Second Class on 18 February 1897. He purchased his shore discharge on 14 April 1905, joining the Royal Fleet Reserve the following day. He re-enrolled on 9 November 1910, and having been advanced Leading Seaman on 1 April 1915, saw service during the Great War in H.M.S. Attentive, being present in her when she was bombed by enemy aircraft during a naval bombardment off Ostend on 7 September 1915, resulting in eight casualties. He saw further service in H.M.S. Victorious before being shore demobilised on 8 March 1919.