CLARK, Philip Thomas

DIVISIONAL UNIT:         4th Canadian Infantry Division
                                             10th Infantry Brigade
                                             44th Battalion - Manitoba
                                             Canadian Infantry Corps
SERVICE NO:                   234530
RESIDENCE:                    Winnipeg – Manitoba 
DATE OF BIRTH:            August 25, 1889
                                             Simcoe - Ontario
DATE OF DEATH:           May 13, 1917                       27 years     9 months
CEMETERY:                     Barlin Communal Cemetery Extension – Barlin –
                                             Pas de Calais – France
                                             III     B     21
FATHER:                           Mr.  Adam Clark – Dublin – Ontario
Occupation:                        Clerk                                    Religion:     Church of England
Enlistment:                         Winnipeg – March 29, 1916
Enlistment Age:                 25 years     7 months

Private Clark arrived at Liverpool onboard the S. S. Grampian on November 6, 1916. On December 12, 1917 at Seaford Camp - Sussex he was Taken on Strength with the 18th Reserve Battalion. On April 18, 1917 he transferred to the 44th Battalion and went overseas into France and joined his unit in the field on April 22, 1917. 
During the day on May 12th, the 44th Battalion was relieved from the front line and then proceeded on toward Niagara Camp which was located at Chateau de la Haie.
From May 13th – May 19th the Battalion was off of the front line and away from the fighting. They trained each morning and releaxed during the afternoon and evening hours. We have researched his files, the Battalion and Brigade diaries and we feel he was not killed in action on May 13th. You cannot be in action if you are resting behind the lines.
Therefore, we have come to the conclusion that he was not killed in action because if this was the case he would not have gone to a Casualty Clearing Station.
We feel he was wounded during the events of May 10th or 11th.
The Battalion was located at La Coulette.
May 10th – the enemy shelled the front and support areas and heavily used their rifle grenades and gas shells. The Triangle trench system was retained. Casualties were 4 killed and 44 wounded.
May 11th – at 3 am the enemy attacked in force on the advance posts beyond the Triangle and used flamethrowers on the Battalion blocks. There was bitter and close fighting and the men of the 44th went “over the top” in the face of enemy flamethrowers. A line was then established behind the fighting and the Battalion moved to that position. The Battalion was provided with fresh ammunition and they attacked the enemy and took back all the former positions and re-established blocks in the trench systems. On this day 17 were killed and 36 men were wounded while 8 men were missing.
We feel this was in all likelihood where Private Clark received his wounds. He was taken to No. 6 Casualty Clearing Station where he died on May 13, 1917.