The Collection of Medals to the Wiltshire Regiment formed by the late Michael Hayward

A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.M. group of eight awarded to Private E. Clack, 1st Battalion Wiltshire Regiment, wounded in action on three occasions - a professional player at Sunderland Association Football Club, 1921-22

Military Medal, G.V.R. (9459 Pte., 1/Wilts. R.); 1914-15 Star (99459 Pte., Wilts. R.); British War and Victory Medals (9459 Pte., Wilts. R.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Defence and War Medals, these unnamed, mounted as worn; together with a Dunkirk Veterans Medal 1940, unnamed, contact marks, nearly very fine and better (9) £400-500

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Collection of Medals to the Wiltshire Regiment formed by the late Michael Hayward.

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M.M. London Gazette 28 July 1917.

Edward (Ted) Clack was born in Highworth, Wiltshire on 4 June 1896. A Mat Weaver by occupation, he enlisted into the Army at Devizes on 18 August 1914 and was posted to the 5th Battalion Wiltshire Regiment. With the 5th Battalion he served in Gallipoli, 14 July-25 September 1915, suffering a gun shot wound to the left leg on 10 August 1915. After recovering from his wound in England he was posted to the 3rd Battalion Wiltshire Regiment in France during December 1915 and then in January 1916 to active service with the 6th Battalion. On 23 August 1916 he was wounded in the thigh and shoulder and was invalided. Making a recovery, Clack returned once more to France in March 1917, serving with the 1st Battalion Wiltshire Regiment. On 21 August 1917 he was wounded for a third time, suffering a gunshot wound to his left arm. For his bravery in action with the 1st Battalion Clack was awarded the Military Medal. He was transferred to Class ‘Z’ Reserve in March 1919.

Prior to the war, Clack played football for Highworth Town Football Club and was a member of the team winning the Swindon and District Junior Cup, 1912-13. Despite his many wounds, Clack resumed playing the sport after the war. During 1921-22 Clack played professional football as an Outside-Right for Sunderland Football Club. He was then at Bristol City, 1923-24; after which he was involved with teams at Nuneaton Town and Hinkley Town. His group indicates active service in the Second World War. Latterly employed as a Storekeeper, Clack died in Cirencester on 11 April 1984.

With a quantity of copied research, including service papers - largely relating to his wounds, m.i.c., gazette and war diary extracts. Also with two copied photographs of Clack as a football player.