CLARKE, Arthur Edward

War
1st World War
Date of Birth
Date Attested
Attested at
Hensall, Ontario
Original Unit
Regimental Number
654800
Rank
Private
Date of Death
Age at Death
37 years 6 months
Biographical Summary

NAME:                               CLARKE                       Arthur Edward
RANK:                                Private
DIVISIONAL UNIT:        3rd Canadian Infantry Division
                                             9th Infantry Brigade
                                             58th Battalion - Central Ontario
                                             The Canadian Infantry Corps
SERVICE NO:                   654800
RESIDENCE:                    Hensall – Ontario 
DATE OF BIRTH:            December 1, 1880
                                             Margate – Kent - England
DATE OF DEATH:           June 15, 1917                       37 years     6 months
CEMETERY:                     Petit-Vimy British Cemetery – Vimy –
                                             Pas de Calais – France
                                                  E     15
WIFE:                                 Mrs.Emily Emma Clarke - Hensall
PARENTS:                         Augustus Bagley and Mary Alice Bagley Clarke – 
                                             Gillingham – Kent – England
Occupation:                        Labourer                               Religion:     Church of England
Enlistment:                         Hensall – May 13, 1916 – 161st Huron Battalion
Enlistment Age:                 35 years     6 months

The 161st Battalion arrived in England on November 11, 1916 and Private Clarke on November 30, 1916 while at Dibgate - Kent transferred to the 58th Battalion. Very early in December he went overseas and at the end of December 1916 he joined the 58th in the field.
Private Clarke was in the trenches of Vimy when he was killed in action.
The 9th Infantry Brigade had completed their relief of the 7th Infantry Brigade and in doing so took over command of the Divisional Front. This was completed at 12:40 am on June 15th. The Battalion was located at Zollern Haus.
During the night of June 15, 1916 patrols covered the Brigade front during the night but no enemy was encountered. However, the enemy could be heard working on their trench systems.
Artillery was active harassing the enemy and cutting his wire. Enemy roads and routes were also receiving the attention of the Divisional artillery. Battalion light trench mortars were active onto Amble, Alcove and Ace Trenches as were the enemy mortars which targeted the Lens-Arras Road.
 The Battalion machine guns fired during the night of June 14/15th and enemy machine-gun fire was occasional during the night and his rifle fire was also active. Enemy snipers were alert. Working patrols were out during the night covering the Brigade front.
“D” Company was to move up to the front during the night and take over part of the front occupied by the 12th Brigade. This was on the left of the 58th Battalion. 
During the early morning hours of June 15, the enemy artillery shelled Vimy, Petit Vimy, and the railway along with the Lens-Arras Road. The enemy also lobbed in a few gas shells.
We have determined that the fire of the enemy trench mortars along with enemy rifle and sniper fire plus his artillery were the cause of Private Clarke’s falling as he performed his duties.