Orders, Decorations and Medals

A ‘Relief of Kut’ D.C.M. group of four awarded to Lance-Corporal Albert Clark, 2nd Battalion, Dorset Regiment, who died as a prisoner of war in Turkish hands

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (7443 L.Cpl., 2/Dorset R.); 1914-15 Star Trio (7443 Pte., Dorset R.) together with Bronze Memorial Plaque (Albert Clark) good very fine (5) £1200-1500

D.C.M. London Gazette 12 December 1917. In common with awards made for services whilst in captivity, escaping or attempting to escape, no citation was published. Of the seven D.C.Ms announced to the 2nd Dorsets in this Gazette none had citations. Of the recipients, one was killed in action in 1915, and the remainder died in captivity during 1916, all in Mesopotamia.

Albert Clark was born at Hazelbury, Dorset, and enlisted at Weymouth for the 2nd Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment. He was one of General Townshend’s force who were besieged at Kut and surrendered after 143 days’ under siege. The entire force of nearly 3,000 British and 6,000 Indian troops fell into Turkish hands on 29th April 1916. Lance-Corporal Albert Clark died in captivity on 31 May 1916 and is commemorated by name on the Basra Memorial, Iraq.