John Clark (1897-1917)
Ferryhill man served with 5th DLI commemorated on Arras Memorial
John Clark was born in West Cornforth, Durham in 1897. He was the older son of George and Mary-Ann Clark and worked as a surface labourer in Ferryhill before the war began. He enlisted as a private in the 5th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (DLI), joining up at Gateshead, before being embarking for France.
The date he died suggests that he was killed during the second stage of the Battle of Arras (1917) when the division he was attached to attacked German positions along the bank of Cojeul river. For his service he won the Victory Medal and the British War Medal. He is remembered at the ARRAS memorial in France for his sacrifice.
Civil Parish: Ferryhill
Birth date: 1897
Death date: 21-Apr-1917
Armed force/civilian: Army
Residence: 4 Rowlandson Terrace, Ferryhill
West Cornforth, Durham (Birthplace)
Employment: Surface Labourer
Family: Father: George Clark (1911 Census)
Mother: Mary Ann Clark
Brother: George Tindle Clark
Military service:
1st/5th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry
Regimental Number: 200901
Private
Enlistment: Gateshead
Deployment: France
Medal(s): Victory Medal
British War Medal
Memorial(s): Arras Memorial Bay 8
DLI Book of Remembrance, Durham Cathedral
Gender: Male
Contributed by Daniel Hyatt
