Main CPGW Record
Surname: CLARK
Forename(s): Dennis Brown
Place of Birth: Earby, Yorkshire
Service No: 13412
Rank: Private
Regiment / Corps / Service: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)
Battalion / Unit: 8th (Service) Battalion
Division: 11th (Northern) Division
Age: 24
Date of Death: 1916-09-30
Awards: ---
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: Pier and Face 6 A and 6 B.
CWGC Cemetery: ---
CWGC Memorial: THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial: EARBY, YORKSHIRE
Additional Information:
Dennis Brown Clark was the son of John Henry and Elizabeth Ellen Clark, née Brown. John was born at West Marton and Elizabeth at Eldroth, Yorkshire.
1901 Earby, Yorkshire Census: 72, Water Street - Dennis Clark, aged 9 years, born Earby, son of John H. and Elizabeth E. Clark.
1911 Earby, Yorkshire Census: 40, Victoria Road - Dennis Brown Clark, aged 19 years, born Earby, son of John Henry and Elizabeth Ellen Clark.
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte Dennis B. Clark, 13412, W. Rid. R. Theatre of War first served in: 2B - Balkans. Date of entry therein: 7.7.15. K. in A. 30.9.16.
British Army WW1 Medal and Award Rolls: Pte Dennis Brown Clark, 13412, 8th W. Rid. R. K. in A. 30.9.16.
Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects: Pte Denis [sic] Brown Clark, 13412, 8th Bn W. Riding. Date and Place of Death: 29-30.9.16. France. To whom Authorised/Amount Authorised: Father - John H. £24 6s. 8d.
UK, WW1 Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923: card(s) exist for Dennis. Name(s) on card(s): Dependant: Mr John Henry Clarke [sic]. Relationship: Father. Address 1. 53, Cavendish Street, Earby, Via Colne. Address 2. 53, Cavendish Terrace, Water Street, Earby.
Dennis was killed in action 29-30 September 1916 near Thiepval, Somme, France.
See also:
‘Earby in the First World War’ by Stephanie Carter, published by Earby & District Local History Society (2014).
‘Our Finest Crop’ by Steven Marshall, published by Earby & District Local History Society (2020).
Data Source: Craven’s Part in the Great War - original CPGW book entry
View Entry in CPGW BookEntry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record:
CLARK, Dennis B., aged 24, West Riding Regiment, son of Mr. J.W. Clarke, 60, Water Street, [Earby], killed in action Sept. 30, 1916.
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Private Dennis Brown CLARK
Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)
Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 11th (Northern) Division
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View Craven Herald Articles
View Craven Herald Articles
17 September 1915
8th DUKE'S HARD HIT IN GALLIPOLI - Letters from Earby Lads
Private H. T. Smith, of the 8th Battalion, Duke of Wellington's Regiment, in the Dardanelles, writing to his parents at 79, Colne Road, in reference to the recent severe fighting, says:- "We made an advance on the 22nd and 23rd, but I am sorry to say we paid very dearly for it. We were cut up terribly, and the worst part of it was that we lost a lot of Earby lads. Some of them I am afraid you will never see again. This is not civilised warfare, it is simply murder.
"It simply rained bullets and shrapnel, but I am still amongst the survivors. I was cut off from my regiment for three days, but I managed to fall in with the Munster Fusiliers, and I might here mention that my name has been sent in for burying dead under fire whilst with the Munsters. You will perhaps have heard of this before you get this letter. One of Clark's from Earby got a bullet through the eye, and the other is wounded; Burrows is wounded; Stockdale, Aldridge, Cross, and T. Hargreaves (Barnoldswick) is missing. Sam Rigby is alive, but taken prisoner, so you may tell his mother not to be down-hearted, because I am confident he is all right. Grassington Joe is injured, shot through the leg."
21 April 1916
EARBY SOLDIERS' PARCELS FUND
Nearly 100 letters of acknowledgement and appreciation have been received from recipients of the second batch of parcels sent early in the New Year to Earby men serving abroad through the above agency. The organisation is a sub-committee of the War Distress Committee, of which Mr. A.J. Birley, J.P., is chairman, and Mr. John Hartley hon. secretary. Altogether 160 parcels were despatched in the last consignment, and the following is a representative selection of the letters received in reply:-
From Pte. D. B. Clarke, 8th Duke of Wellington's Regiment, Egyptian Expeditionary Force:- "Excuse me for not thanking you before now for the parcel I received in February. No doubt it was intended for Christmas, but I was glad to see we are not forgotten out here, where we have had a hard time of it. You will know by now that we have left the Peninsula. We have not yet settled down. At present we are on the Suez Canal engaged in the defence of Egypt. The weather here is 'past biding' it is so hot, and water is very scarce. I heartily thank all those concerned in this generosity, for it is seldom we get any luxuries out here."
27 October 1916
CLARKE - September 30, killed in action in France, Pte. Denis Brown Clarke, West Riding Regiment, son of Mr. J. W. Clarke, 60, Water Street, Earby, aged 24 years.
27 October 1916
EARBY - TWO LADS AMONG THE KILLED
EARBY - TWO LADS AMONG THE KILLED
Pte. Denis Brown Clarke, of the West Riding Regiment, was killed in France on the 30th ult. He was one of five soldier sons of Mr. J. W. Clarke, carrier, 60, Water Street, Earby, and 24 years of age. Before going to France he served in the Dardanelles, where he was wounded last summer, but had never been home since he first went out fifteen months ago.
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
27 October 1916
CLARKE - September 30th, in France, Pte. Denis Brown Clarke, of the West Riding Regiment, son of Mr. J. W. Clarke, of Water Street, Earby, aged 24.
27 October 1916
TWO EARBY LADS AMONG THE KILLED
Pte. Denis Brown Clarke, of the West Riding Regiment, was killed in France on September 30th. He was one of five soldier sons of Mr. J. W. Clarke, carrier, 60, Water Street, Earby, and 24 years of age. Before going to France he served in the Dardanelles, where he was wounded last summer, but had never been home since he first went out fifteen months ago.
27 September 1918
Earby Medallists
The Military Medal has been awarded to two Earby soldiers:- Bombdr. Frank Benjamin, R.F.A., of 119, Colne Road, and Pte. Stanley Clarke, R.A.M.C., 53, Water Street. The former has been in France over three years. Clarke, who is 22 years of age and has been out two years, has had one brother [Pte. Dennis Brown Clarke] killed, one discharged, and two still serving.
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