Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Private G. H. Clarke, Middlesex Regiment, who was wounded and taken Prisoner of War at the Battle of Mons, 23 August 1914, on the first full day of fighting on the Western Front, later dying of his wounds in captivity on 4 November 1914

1914 Star (L-14684 Pte. G. H. Clarke. 4/Midd’x R.); British War and Victory Medals (L.14684 Pte. G. H. Clarke. Midd’x R.) good very fine (3) £300-400

George Henry Clarke was born in Homerton, Middlesex, and attested for the Middlesex Regiment at Mill Hill, Middlesex, on 14 October 1913, having previously served as a boy soldier with the 5th Battalion, King’s Royal Rile Corps (Special Reserve). He served with the 4th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front, from 14 August 1914, and was present at the Battle of Mons, 23 August 1914, on the British Expeditionary Forces’s first main day of action. On this day the Battalion was charged with the defence of Oburg Railway Station, a key point on the Mons-Conde canal. Two Companies were placed along the Mons-Conde canal, with “D” Company in the railway station area, and another Company in reserve in the woods. The Germans pressed hard against these positions, inflicting heavy losses with artillery from the higher positions on the opposite side of the canal. One account recalls:
‘To the right of Nimy Bridge the 4th Middlesex were in the meanwhile putting up a no less stubborn defence, and against equally desperate odds. Major Davey, whose company was on the left, in touch with the right of the Royal Fusiliers, had fallen early in the day, and the position at that point finally became so serious that Major Abell’s company was rushed up from the reserve to support it. During this advance Major Abell himself, Captain Knoles and Second Lieutenant Henstock were killed, and a third of the rank and file fell, but the balance succeeded in reaching the firing line trenches and, with this stiffening added, the position was successfully held fort he time being.’

However, later in the day the line faltered and the enemy began to outflank the battalion, which began a withdrawal through the Bois d’Harve, the wood to the south of Obourg Railway Station. A rear-guard was fought at the railway station, with an unknown private firing from the station roof until he was finally hit and killed. Total casualties for the battalion on this day were 9 Officers and 453 other ranks killed, wounded, or taken prisoner of War. Clarke was among the casualties- wounded, he was taken prisoner of War by the Germans towards the end of the day. He died of his wounds in captivity on 4 November 1914, and is buried in St. Symphorien Military Cemetery, Belgium.

Sold together with the recipient’s identity tag; a relic London County Council King’s Medal for Good School Attendance 1910-11, named ‘G. Clarke.’; and various copied research, including photographs of the Obourg Memorial and the recipient’s grave.