This research was shared by Alastair McEwen, of Scotland:
Second Lieutenant William Muir Clark, DCM, MM, CdeG, MM,born Cambuslang, died 20/11/1917, age 19, was the son of James Brown Clark, a Bookkeeper, and Martha White Muir Clark, of 5648 Bettinger Street, Hawthorne, California, USA. They had formerly lived in Inverness and Peebles. He returned from the USA to enlist.
Second Lieutenant Clark spent his boyhood days in Peebles. His father, James Brown Clark, emigrated on ss Lusitania from Liverpool to New York, arriving on 31 May 1910. His mother, Martha Muir Clark, emigrated on ss California from Glasgow to New York, arriving on 21 November 1910, along with George, age 14, William, age 11, Martha, age 8, Grace, age 7 and James, age 4. The family settled first in Elwood City, Pennsylvania, then Clifton, Greenlee, Arizona, and finally at 5648 Bettinger Street, Hawthorne, California.
William was getting on well in the USA, but when war broke out, he was so anxious to take part in the great struggle that he ran away from school, working his way from Pittsburg, Pennsylvania to New York, and then worked his passage across the Atlantic from New York to Liverpool. He was not quite 17 years of age at the time. He was a fearless, high-spirited lad, and it is said that the boy's enthusiasm and determination to "do his bit" had such an effect upon those with whom he came in contact that no fewer than 200 men resolved to follow his example.
He landed at Liverpool in the month of May 1915, and immediately enlisted in the Black Watch, went through the usual training, and then was sent out to France with his regiment. Landing in France, he was soon up in the firing line and into the thick of the fighting, when he had some stirring experiences and some narrow escapes, being wounded four times. He specially distinguished himself as a soldier, being absolutely fearless under the most trying circumstances and faithful to duty at all times. This is all the more remarkable considering his youth. In recognition of his gallant conduct, he received the Distinguished Conduct Medal and the Military Medal, and he was decorated by King George with the Croix de Guerre. He also received the French Medaille Militaire, all so well deserved but he was so modest and unassuming that no one would easily have learned these things from himself.
After about eighteen months' active service in France he came back to this country to take up the commission which he had so well earned and deserved.He was in training at Nigg, Ross-shire, and at Gailes Camp and on the completion of this he again went out to France, where as an officer he displayed as brave and fearless a spirit as ever he did as a private. He was a general favourite with his bright and cheery ways, not only as a boy and a young man, but also as a soldier, with his brother officers and men of his regiment. They lost a good and cheery companion and comrade, and the Army one who, though so young, had shown that he was every inch a soldier, and true to the noble watchwords of faith and duty. The loss to his parents and friends was irreparable, and the sincere sympathy of all who knew them went out to them in their great sorrow and loss.
The following extract from a letter which was received from Lieutenant Clark's commanding officer shows the deep respect and esteem in which he was held. "It is with the deepest regret that I write to tell you of the death of Mr Clark.During the short time he has been with this Battalion, he has won the highest esteem and respect of his fellow-officers and men. He was always well to the front in all sports and in the fight was a hero. I was his company commander, and saw all his brilliant work before he was killed by a sniper. After being hit he lived for nearly five minutes but did not suffer pain, in fact his last words were, 'Thank God, I have done my bit, anyhow'. The officers and men of this company join with me in asking you to accept our sincerest sympathy in the time of your sorrow and loss but I am sure you will realise with great pride the noble sacrifice he has made. Another officer and myself were at his burial last Saturday. He is buried in a nice little cemetery at Ypres, but the exact location will be sent you. Pardon me for being so long in writing, but we only came out of the fight on Saturday morning, and our time has been fully occupied since with moving and re-organisation."
Surviving siblings were George, Martha, Grace and James.
George Clark and brother William Clark
Second Lieutenant William Muir Clark, DCM, MM, CdeG, MM,born Cambuslang, died 20/11/1917, age 19, was the son of James Brown Clark, a Bookkeeper, and Martha White Muir Clark, of 5648 Bettinger Street, Hawthorne, California, USA. They had formerly lived in Inverness and Peebles. He returned from the USA to enlist.
Second Lieutenant Clark spent his boyhood days in Peebles. His father, James Brown Clark, emigrated on ss Lusitania from Liverpool to New York, arriving on 31 May 1910. His mother, Martha Muir Clark, emigrated on ss California from Glasgow to New York, arriving on 21 November 1910, along with George, age 14, William, age 11, Martha, age 8, Grace, age 7 and James, age 4. The family settled first in Elwood City, Pennsylvania, then Clifton, Greenlee, Arizona, and finally at 5648 Bettinger Street, Hawthorne, California.
William was getting on well in the USA, but when war broke out, he was so anxious to take part in the great struggle that he ran away from school, working his way from Pittsburg, Pennsylvania to New York, and then worked his passage across the Atlantic from New York to Liverpool. He was not quite 17 years of age at the time. He was a fearless, high-spirited lad, and it is said that the boy's enthusiasm and determination to "do his bit" had such an effect upon those with whom he came in contact that no fewer than 200 men resolved to follow his example.
He landed at Liverpool in the month of May 1915, and immediately enlisted in the Black Watch, went through the usual training, and then was sent out to France with his regiment. Landing in France, he was soon up in the firing line and into the thick of the fighting, when he had some stirring experiences and some narrow escapes, being wounded four times. He specially distinguished himself as a soldier, being absolutely fearless under the most trying circumstances and faithful to duty at all times. This is all the more remarkable considering his youth. In recognition of his gallant conduct, he received the Distinguished Conduct Medal and the Military Medal, and he was decorated by King George with the Croix de Guerre. He also received the French Medaille Militaire, all so well deserved but he was so modest and unassuming that no one would easily have learned these things from himself.
After about eighteen months' active service in France he came back to this country to take up the commission which he had so well earned and deserved.He was in training at Nigg, Ross-shire, and at Gailes Camp and on the completion of this he again went out to France, where as an officer he displayed as brave and fearless a spirit as ever he did as a private. He was a general favourite with his bright and cheery ways, not only as a boy and a young man, but also as a soldier, with his brother officers and men of his regiment. They lost a good and cheery companion and comrade, and the Army one who, though so young, had shown that he was every inch a soldier, and true to the noble watchwords of faith and duty. The loss to his parents and friends was irreparable, and the sincere sympathy of all who knew them went out to them in their great sorrow and loss.
The following extract from a letter which was received from Lieutenant Clark's commanding officer shows the deep respect and esteem in which he was held. "It is with the deepest regret that I write to tell you of the death of Mr Clark.During the short time he has been with this Battalion, he has won the highest esteem and respect of his fellow-officers and men. He was always well to the front in all sports and in the fight was a hero. I was his company commander, and saw all his brilliant work before he was killed by a sniper. After being hit he lived for nearly five minutes but did not suffer pain, in fact his last words were, 'Thank God, I have done my bit, anyhow'. The officers and men of this company join with me in asking you to accept our sincerest sympathy in the time of your sorrow and loss but I am sure you will realise with great pride the noble sacrifice he has made. Another officer and myself were at his burial last Saturday. He is buried in a nice little cemetery at Ypres, but the exact location will be sent you. Pardon me for being so long in writing, but we only came out of the fight on Saturday morning, and our time has been fully occupied since with moving and re-organisation."
Surviving siblings were George, Martha, Grace and James.
George Clark and brother William Clark
This research was shared by Alastair McEwen, of Scotland:
Second Lieutenant William Muir Clark, DCM, MM, CdeG, MM,born Cambuslang, died 20/11/1917, age 19, was the son of James Brown Clark, a Bookkeeper, and Martha White Muir Clark, of 5648 Bettinger Street, Hawthorne, California, USA. They had formerly lived in Inverness and Peebles. He returned from the USA to enlist.
Second Lieutenant Clark spent his boyhood days in Peebles. His father, James Brown Clark, emigrated on ss Lusitania from Liverpool to New York, arriving on 31 May 1910. His mother, Martha Muir Clark, emigrated on ss California from Glasgow to New York, arriving on 21 November 1910, along with George, age 14, William, age 11, Martha, age 8, Grace, age 7 and James, age 4. The family settled first in Elwood City, Pennsylvania, then Clifton, Greenlee, Arizona, and finally at 5648 Bettinger Street, Hawthorne, California.
William was getting on well in the USA, but when war broke out, he was so anxious to take part in the great struggle that he ran away from school, working his way from Pittsburg, Pennsylvania to New York, and then worked his passage across the Atlantic from New York to Liverpool. He was not quite 17 years of age at the time. He was a fearless, high-spirited lad, and it is said that the boy's enthusiasm and determination to "do his bit" had such an effect upon those with whom he came in contact that no fewer than 200 men resolved to follow his example.
He landed at Liverpool in the month of May 1915, and immediately enlisted in the Black Watch, went through the usual training, and then was sent out to France with his regiment. Landing in France, he was soon up in the firing line and into the thick of the fighting, when he had some stirring experiences and some narrow escapes, being wounded four times. He specially distinguished himself as a soldier, being absolutely fearless under the most trying circumstances and faithful to duty at all times. This is all the more remarkable considering his youth. In recognition of his gallant conduct, he received the Distinguished Conduct Medal and the Military Medal, and he was decorated by King George with the Croix de Guerre. He also received the French Medaille Militaire, all so well deserved but he was so modest and unassuming that no one would easily have learned these things from himself.
After about eighteen months' active service in France he came back to this country to take up the commission which he had so well earned and deserved.He was in training at Nigg, Ross-shire, and at Gailes Camp and on the completion of this he again went out to France, where as an officer he displayed as brave and fearless a spirit as ever he did as a private. He was a general favourite with his bright and cheery ways, not only as a boy and a young man, but also as a soldier, with his brother officers and men of his regiment. They lost a good and cheery companion and comrade, and the Army one who, though so young, had shown that he was every inch a soldier, and true to the noble watchwords of faith and duty. The loss to his parents and friends was irreparable, and the sincere sympathy of all who knew them went out to them in their great sorrow and loss.
The following extract from a letter which was received from Lieutenant Clark's commanding officer shows the deep respect and esteem in which he was held. "It is with the deepest regret that I write to tell you of the death of Mr Clark.During the short time he has been with this Battalion, he has won the highest esteem and respect of his fellow-officers and men. He was always well to the front in all sports and in the fight was a hero. I was his company commander, and saw all his brilliant work before he was killed by a sniper. After being hit he lived for nearly five minutes but did not suffer pain, in fact his last words were, 'Thank God, I have done my bit, anyhow'. The officers and men of this company join with me in asking you to accept our sincerest sympathy in the time of your sorrow and loss but I am sure you will realise with great pride the noble sacrifice he has made. Another officer and myself were at his burial last Saturday. He is buried in a nice little cemetery at Ypres, but the exact location will be sent you. Pardon me for being so long in writing, but we only came out of the fight on Saturday morning, and our time has been fully occupied since with moving and re-organisation."
Surviving siblings were George, Martha, Grace and James.
George Clark and brother William Clark
Second Lieutenant William Muir Clark, DCM, MM, CdeG, MM,born Cambuslang, died 20/11/1917, age 19, was the son of James Brown Clark, a Bookkeeper, and Martha White Muir Clark, of 5648 Bettinger Street, Hawthorne, California, USA. They had formerly lived in Inverness and Peebles. He returned from the USA to enlist.
Second Lieutenant Clark spent his boyhood days in Peebles. His father, James Brown Clark, emigrated on ss Lusitania from Liverpool to New York, arriving on 31 May 1910. His mother, Martha Muir Clark, emigrated on ss California from Glasgow to New York, arriving on 21 November 1910, along with George, age 14, William, age 11, Martha, age 8, Grace, age 7 and James, age 4. The family settled first in Elwood City, Pennsylvania, then Clifton, Greenlee, Arizona, and finally at 5648 Bettinger Street, Hawthorne, California.
William was getting on well in the USA, but when war broke out, he was so anxious to take part in the great struggle that he ran away from school, working his way from Pittsburg, Pennsylvania to New York, and then worked his passage across the Atlantic from New York to Liverpool. He was not quite 17 years of age at the time. He was a fearless, high-spirited lad, and it is said that the boy's enthusiasm and determination to "do his bit" had such an effect upon those with whom he came in contact that no fewer than 200 men resolved to follow his example.
He landed at Liverpool in the month of May 1915, and immediately enlisted in the Black Watch, went through the usual training, and then was sent out to France with his regiment. Landing in France, he was soon up in the firing line and into the thick of the fighting, when he had some stirring experiences and some narrow escapes, being wounded four times. He specially distinguished himself as a soldier, being absolutely fearless under the most trying circumstances and faithful to duty at all times. This is all the more remarkable considering his youth. In recognition of his gallant conduct, he received the Distinguished Conduct Medal and the Military Medal, and he was decorated by King George with the Croix de Guerre. He also received the French Medaille Militaire, all so well deserved but he was so modest and unassuming that no one would easily have learned these things from himself.
After about eighteen months' active service in France he came back to this country to take up the commission which he had so well earned and deserved.He was in training at Nigg, Ross-shire, and at Gailes Camp and on the completion of this he again went out to France, where as an officer he displayed as brave and fearless a spirit as ever he did as a private. He was a general favourite with his bright and cheery ways, not only as a boy and a young man, but also as a soldier, with his brother officers and men of his regiment. They lost a good and cheery companion and comrade, and the Army one who, though so young, had shown that he was every inch a soldier, and true to the noble watchwords of faith and duty. The loss to his parents and friends was irreparable, and the sincere sympathy of all who knew them went out to them in their great sorrow and loss.
The following extract from a letter which was received from Lieutenant Clark's commanding officer shows the deep respect and esteem in which he was held. "It is with the deepest regret that I write to tell you of the death of Mr Clark.During the short time he has been with this Battalion, he has won the highest esteem and respect of his fellow-officers and men. He was always well to the front in all sports and in the fight was a hero. I was his company commander, and saw all his brilliant work before he was killed by a sniper. After being hit he lived for nearly five minutes but did not suffer pain, in fact his last words were, 'Thank God, I have done my bit, anyhow'. The officers and men of this company join with me in asking you to accept our sincerest sympathy in the time of your sorrow and loss but I am sure you will realise with great pride the noble sacrifice he has made. Another officer and myself were at his burial last Saturday. He is buried in a nice little cemetery at Ypres, but the exact location will be sent you. Pardon me for being so long in writing, but we only came out of the fight on Saturday morning, and our time has been fully occupied since with moving and re-organisation."
Surviving siblings were George, Martha, Grace and James.
George Clark and brother William Clark
Gravesite Details
Second Lieutenant, Black Watch (Royal Highlanders). Age: 19.
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