About the product

QSA RGA MID for Bravery

Queen’s South Africa, 5 bars, 31618 Bombardier C.F. Clarke, 4th M.B. Royal Garrison Artillery, specially promoted to Corporal for Bravery working the Pom Poms after everyone was dead or wounded at Harrismith 4/02/1902.

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SKU: J6843 Category:
Origin: United Kingdom
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Queen’s South Africa, 5 bars, Tuglea Heights, Orange Free State, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal, Laing’s Nek, 31618 Bombardier C.F. Clarke, 4th M.B. Royal Garrison Artillery, specially promoted to Corporal for Bravery working the Pom Poms after everyone was dead or wounded at Harrismith 4/02/1902.

 

Officially impressed: “31618 BOMB: C. F. CLARKE. 4th M.B. R.G.A.”

 

Corporal Clarke gained his promotion for conspicuous gallantry in action and was mentioned in despatches, whilst serving with V Section, Pom Poms, being one of 3 gunners who kept their guns in action whilst the entire detachment had been killed or wounded on 24th February 1902 at Harrismith Drive:

 

“At Harrismith District, on 24th February 1902, when the enemy attempted to break through line of drive, kept pom pom in action after all the rest of the detachment had been killed or wounded, till the Boers were within a few yards, then withdrew it to another position under heavy fire.” London Gazette 18th July 1902.

 

The Battle:

 

During the night of 23/24 February, General de Wet with about 500 men managed to break through the British Cordon near Harrismith, breaching that part of the line held by the 7th New Zealand Mounted Infantry. Both sides suffered heavy losses during the battle.
De Wet left 14 dead on the field and carried away 20 wounded. The New Zealanders, who fought back hard, had suffered 23 killed and 43 wounded.

 

Charles Frederick Clarke was born during 1866 in St Luke, Cork, Ireland. He was a 15 year old Baker when he attested for service with the Royal Artillery on 22nd June 1881 at Cork.

 

He saw the following service of a long 21 years career:

 

“Home 22nd June 1881 – 18th Feb 1889
India 19th Feb 1889 – 20th Nov 1892
Home 27th Nov 1892 – 15th Nov 1899
South Africa 16th Nov 1899 – 26th June 1902
Home 27th June 1902 – 15th Sept 1902.

 

He saw total service of 21 years, 86 days.

 

DUBLIN EVENING TELEGRAPH, 2nd December 1895, what appears to be Gunner Clarke at the funeral of Corporal Joseph William Clarke, on what should have been his wedding day:

 

“TOUCHING SCENE AT MILITARY FUNERAL

 

The funeral of Corporal Joseph William Clarke and Gunner William Haycock, of the Royal Artillery, who were drowned by the foundering of a boat during the recent gale, took place at Gillingham Cemetery, near Chatham, on Saturday.
The Ceremony was of a very impressive character, and the usual volleys were discharged over the grave by a firing party.
The survivors, Master Gunner Owen and Gunner Charles Frederick Clarke, were deeply affected at the graveside, and it is a sad coincidence that Corporal Clarke was buried on what was to have been his wedding day.”