Clement Wilfred Clarke

A Private with the 11th Battalion, Clement died on 9th of April 1918 at the age of 22. 

Clement Wilfred, who was later better known as Wilfred, was born at Pakefield on 1 November 1896, a son of Frederick and Alice Fanny Clarke. He was baptised at All Saints' Church, Pakefield, on 13 December 1896. In 1901 his family lived at Carlton Road, Pakefield, close to All Saints' Church, and in 1911 their address was still at Carleton Road. After the war his parents lived at Hammond's Cottages, Pakefield. 

Clement attended Cunningham's Infant School, Pakefield, from 22 August 1900 to 26 October 1910.  

Clement enlisted in the Suffolk Regiment and served, initially, with the 4th Battalion and he had service number 4346. Subsequently he served overseas with the 9th Battalion, service number 43871, and then with the 11th Battalion.

For reasons unknown his medal roll and medal index card entries state that his first name was Alfred. 

On 5 April 1918 the 11th Battalion occupied billets at Erquinghem, France. The Germans began bombing Erquignhem on 9 April and the battalion immediately moved into front line trenches in anticipation of an attack which came from the direction of Fleurbaux, but was driven back. A second attack from the Feurbaix area took place on 10 April and later that day the battalion were ordered to withdraw to north of the River Lys. A further withdrawal on the 11th was hampered by sniper and machine-gun fire but the battalion reached the Armentieres-Bailleul railway. On the 12th the battalion moved into attack formation about one mile south-east of Bailleul and late in the morning became involved in the fighting. The next day there was a heavy artillery bombardment and the enemy attacked in force from Outerstern and the battalion had to fall back. During the 14th the battalion took up positions near Bailleul railway station and late in the day they were relieved and marched to Meulehook. On the 15th due to enemy advances they were again in the front line. The next day they were patrolling and digging in. During the 17th there was heavy shelling and attempts by the enemy to advance. The battalion were relieved at 2 a.m. on April 18. 

What precisely happened to Clement is not known. He was reported missing at some point between 9 April and 19 April 1918 and was later presumed to have been killed in action between those dates. 

The battalion’s casualties between 9 and 19 April were:
Officers: four killed; four died of wounds; five missing, ten wounded
Other ranks: 39 killed; three died of wounds; 272 missing; 157 wounded