David Clarke 44131

[mack]

44134 david Clarke (44131)
18th manchesters. B.coy
59 taylor st,gorton
shot in the spine 24-4-17
died 28-1-18
buried southern cemetery.S.Cons.1199

[Tim Bell]

No PRC showing cause of death. David Clarke was paralysed.

[Tim Bell]

The number 44134 on the pension record for Pte Clarke is a transcription error.  His correct number is 44131.  He also has a service record available.

David Clarke had been a hatter when he attested under the Derby Scheme on 11 December 1915.  David was mobilised on 20 January 1916 and trained with 2/9th Bttn, 5187.  Disembarking on 27 July, Private Clarke was subsequently posted to B Company of 18th Battalion. He received a GSW to the spine in the assault from Heninel on 24 April 1917. Evacuated home David had an operation for the bullet to be extracted from his spine.  He was later discharged to East Lancashire Home for Disabled Soldiers.

He received a SWB and Pension after discharge from the Army on 29/08/1917.  He died at The Home for Disabled Soldiers at Broughton, from GSW to the spine and parplegia on 28/01/1918, aged 21.  David Clarke is buried in Southern Cemetery with a legible private family memorial headstone.
Son of George & Nellie Clarke of 59 Taylor Street, Gorton.
IFCP and relatives have picked up this case  and the DC confirms cause of death as GSW.

[Tim Bell]

Commemoration approved 05/11/2021
Correctly credited to family member, Tony Hayes.

[Tim Bell]

David Clarke's burial and headstone at Southern Cemetery were accepted as a War Grave on 23/02/2022
(The headstone has a legible inscription and had been cleaned up in May 2022)