Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 25002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 135

The Third Battle of Doiran 1918 M.C., M.S.M., Croix de Guerre group of eight awarded to Lieutenant W. Clark, Shropshire Light Infantry and Machine Gun Corps

Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued; Queen's South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Cape Colony, Paardeberg, Driefontein, Transvaal (5710 Cpl. W. Clarke, 2nd Shrop:Lt Infy.); King's South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (5710 Corpl: W. Clarke. Shrops: L.I.); 1914-15 Star (5710 C.Q.M.Sjt. W. Clark. Shrops. L.I.); British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. W. Clark.); Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R. (49093 C.S.Mjr: W. Clark. 80/Coy M.G.C.), the unit officially corrected; France, Republic, Croix De Guerre, with Palme, minor contact wear, overall very fine (8)

M.C. London Gazette 1 February 1919, the original citation states:

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. In command of a Machine Gun section on September 18th 1918, he led his men through a murderous fire from trench mortars, machine gun and artillery to a point in front of P4 ¼ seeing the infantry unable to advance further he at once got his guns into action and opened fire to keep down a terrible fire from P.4. He himself was seriously hit, but kept his guns firing, and supervised the ammunition supply until he totally collapsed. His example was of unestimable [SIC] value to all his men.'

M.S.M. London Gazette 26 April 1917.

Croix de Guerre London Gazette 21 July 1919.

Walter Clark was born at Gibraltar on 22 October 1879 and attested on 22 August 1898, seeing service during the Anglo Boer War. He appears to have served with distinction during the war, earning a promotion to Corporal on 11 April 1902 and Lance Sergeant on 13 October 1902.

After the end of hostilities the Regiment was posted to India from in January 1903 and there Clark was again advanced Sergeant in July 1909. Still posted there upon the outbreak of the Great War, Clark was advanced Company Quartermaster Sergeant on 14 October 1914 and the next day the Regiment embarked for France. Entering the war in France on 20 December 1914 he was again promoted Company Sergeant-Major on 23 May 1915, and soon afterwards was recommended for commission, service papers give special reason from O.C. Captain G. Berwick:

'With reference to the attached application for a commission in the Machine Gun Corps for Company Sergeant Major Clark, I think that this warrant officer is in every way suitable for a commission in the Machine Gun Corps. He has been Sergeant Major of the 80th Company Machine Gun Corps since the company was first formed on the 17th day of May of this year, and has carried out his work conscientiously and well. Owing to the fact that he was an instructor at the musketry school at Satara, India, at which school he also obtained a first class certificate in Musketry and in the Machine Gun, he is an extremely good machine gunner and has a good knowledge of the tactical handling of the gun.'

Prior to his recommendation being accepted - on 5 December 1915 - Clark was posted to Salonica where he was to serve for the rest of the war and joined the Machine Gun Corps. Commissioned Lieutenant on 28 December 1916 into the Machine Gun Corps, he rejoined his old unit on 28 June 1918 to command a machine gun section.

He was present at the Third Battle of Doiran where the British found themselves attacking well dug in Bulgarian troops. The K.S.L.I. were forced to try and take the steep and rugged Pip Ridge which proved an insurmountable obstacle, heavily defended by Bulgarian Machine Guns. Clark played an instrumental role in the action but suffered a gunshot wound to the head and was invalided from the battlefield.

The end of the war saw him retiring from service soon after although he did return to service on 30 June 1920, retiring again on 30 June 1921. Clark died on 10 February 1950; sold together with copied research.

Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Sold for
£1,700

Starting price
£550