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Auction: 17003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 488

King's South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (9010 Serjt. D. Clarke, Rifle Brigade), contact marks, very fine

David Clarke originally enlisted in the Royal Artillery at Newcastle-on-Tyne in May 1887, aged 18 years. He deserted and, using the alias 'Alfred Mainard', enlisted in the Rifle Brigade at Winchester in October of the same year. His true identity having been ascertained, he was imprisoned in the period December 1887 to January 1888. Happily, a period of steady advancement ensued and he was promoted Sergeant whilst stationed in Hong Kong in June 1895.

He subsequently witnessed active service in South Africa in the period October 1899 to May 1902 and was awarded the Queen's Medal & 5 clasps and King's Medal & 2 clasps. He was present in the relief of Ladysmith operations and at the actions of Tugela Heights and Laing's Nek.

Having then gained promotion to Colour-Sergeant, Clarke was tried by a District Court Martial in December 1905, for using inappropriate language to his superior officer. He was reduced to Corporal, mitigated to Sergeant, and was discharged in March 1906. He settled at Evesham, Worcestershire, and died in April 1944; sold with copied research.


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