Auction Catalogue

18 & 19 July 2018

Starting at 11:00 AM

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Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

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Lot

№ 704

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19 July 2018

Hammer Price:
£4,400

Pair: Colonel William Clark, 43rd Light Infantry, who was severely wounded at Gate Pa in New Zealand and later commanded the 52nd Regiment

New Zealand 1845-66, reverse dated 1863 to 1866 (Ensign & Lieut. Wm. Clark, 43rd Lt. Inftry.); India General Service 1854-95, 3 clasps, Burma 1885-7, Burma 1887-89, Burma 1889-92 (Major W. Clark, 1st Bn. Oxf. L.I.) light contact marks, otherwise good very fine (2) £1200-1500

William Clark was born at Colchester, Essex, on 16 January 1843, and educated at Glenalmond and the R.M.A., Sandhurst. He was appointed Ensign in the 43rd Light Infantry on 11 February 1862; Lieutenant, 30 April 1864; Captain, 20 September 1871; Major, 30 November 1881; Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel, 1 July 1887; Lieutenant-Colonel, 27 July 1891; Brevet Colonel, 27 July 1895, and placed on half-pay same date.

He served with the 43rd in India, April 1862 to October 1863, and was then posted to New Zealand where he served until July 1866. He took part in the action at Gate Pa, being severely wounded in the right arm, and afterwards at Waiteno, Waikoukou, Ren Reri Nguku, NuKete ape ape, Ngapuke Tiranga, and expedition to Taranaki. ‘Thanked by His Royal Highness the Field Marshal Commanding in Chief on account of good service at the action of the Gate Pa on the 29th April 1864, per Horse Guards Letter dated 26th August 1864’ (Despatches; Medal).

Clark returned to India with the 43rd, September 1872 to December 1876, and subsequently served there from November 1877 to April 1881, and March 1882 to November 1886. Appointed Assistant Inspector of Gymnasia, Bombay Presidency, 21 September to 22 November, 1886.

Served in Burma, November 1886 to June 1887, including Special Service on the Burmese Expedition, December 1886 to April 1887, as Staff Officer to Shan Column, Burmese Field Force, and with the mounted infantry of 3rd Brigade (twice mentioned in despatches
London Gazette 2 September 1887; Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel; Medal with 2 clasps). Served with the Wuntho Column in Burma, September 1889 to December 1892 (Clasp).

Clark was posted to the 52nd on 17 September 1889, and commanded the battalion, from 1891 to 1895, in India, taking part in the Manipur expedition of 1891, North East India (Clasp). He retired on 16 January 1900, and was selected for reward for Distinguished and Meritorious Service on 1 April 1917. Colonel Clark died on 5 July 1921, at his home Princelands, Couper Angus, Perthshire.

His articles,
Reminiscences of New Zealand: With the 43rd 1863-1866 and Recollections, were published in the regimental Chronicles of 1896 and 1912 respectively. Sold with record of service and other research.