Private Arthur Augustus Clark
2537330
Born - Port Perry ON
Killed in Action at Raillencourt in Battle of Canal du Nord
The telegram arrived sometime late in the third week of October. It was the fifth year of the war and the newspapers were speculating that the war would soon be over. The boys would be coming home. Arthur would soon be coming home. That was the thought, hope and wishes of Ester and Willard Clark. The buzz of excitement combined with trepidation was shared by all. The notice that a message was going to be delivered was not expected…but at the same time, it was also not entirely unexpected. The Clarks knew that a major attack was taking place over in France and their son was taking part in it. All the moms and dads in town who had sons ‘over there’ were fully aware what it meant when the telegram delivery boy came to your house. And despite this, when they heard the knock at the door, they did not entirely expect it. How could you really? It could have been anyone…but it wasn’t.
Three weeks later, on November 11th with the ringing of the bells in the town churches, it was announced that the war was finally over. Even in those day, news travelled fast. Spontaneous celebrations broke out everywhere. One would expect that all the townsfolks would rise in jubilation. But that was not the case. Three months earlier an historic campaign was initiated to try to end the war. The result was a wave of tragedy reaching into homes in communities across the country and the town of Port Perry was not spared. Along with the Clarks, telegrams were also received by Mr Joseph Hood, Mr. Henry Doubt and Mrs. Francis Clark that month…and that was just for sons killed while serving in the 116th Battalion. Other parents with sons in other battalions would all feel the pain of loss that terrible month. And yet the town still burst with joy at the news. A long parade of cars with banners and flags gather in the town center. Less that two blocks away, the Clarks would be able to see the glow rising above the homes from the huge bonfire being held behind the Post Office. One would have to wonder if the knowledge that while their own son would not be returning, that the sons of their friends and family would provide them a modicum of solace and peace…to know his sacrifice was not in vain.
Their son, Authur Augustus Clark was someone they were proud of. He was a skilled tradesman who lived in a suburban part of Toronto with his home virtually backing on to the newly opened Scarboro Golf Club. While he did not have a family, one would presume that the world was his oyster. Yet, when the call mas made, Artur returned it. On June 14th, 1917 he enlisted with the 10th Royal Grenadier, affiliated with the Royal Regiment of Canada, a storied Canadian military unit. They arrived in England on Dec 7th.
Once in England he was transferred to the 2nd Canadian Reserve Battalion before moving to the 6th Reserve and ultimately joining the 116th on April 7th. At this time the battalion was replacing the men lost from the series of devastating losses in 1917. Drafts of new men were received throughout the spring and additional reinforcements added just prior to the main events in September. On the morning of September 29th, Private Clark and his company had just eliminated the nest of machine guns that decimated A and B companies. They proceeded 1.5 kms west to towards the next objective, a village named Petite Fontaine. It was sometime in the morning on that terrible day when it happened. The details on his death are not known…other than it was simply recorded as having been “Killed in Action”.
Lest we forget.