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Cenotaph record

Anthony Gordon Clark

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Identity

About

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  • Title
  • Forenames
    Anthony Gordon AWMM
  • Surname
    Clark AWMM
  • Ingoa
  • Also known as
  • Service number
    WWII 241339 AWMM
  • Gender
    Male AWMM
  • Iwi / Hapū / Waka / Rohe
  • Religion

Civilian life

About birth

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  • Birth
    20 February 1920 AWMM Christchurch, New Zealand AWMM
  • Date of birth
  • Place of birth
  • Birth notes
  • Address before enlistment
    WW2 Pre 1943 AWMM 96 Anzac Pde., Wanganui AWMM
  • Post war occupation
  • Next of kin on embarkation
    WW2 Mrs. J.E. Clark, 4 Edward Ave., Christchurch (m) AWMM
  • Relationship status

Service

Wars and conflicts

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  • War
    World War II, 1939-1945 AWMM
  • Campaign
  • Armed force / branch
    Army AWMM
  • Service number
    WWII 241339 AWMM
  • Military service
  • Promotions/ Postings/ Transfers

Military decorations

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  • Medals and Awards
    • Military Medal (MM) AWMM
      21 June 1945 AWMM
      'On the night of 14-15 December 1944, during the attack towards the SENIO RIVER, Italy, Corporal Clark was in command of a section detailed to attack from the right flank a very strongly held enemy position at Casa Ianna. As he led his men through a minefield towards this position an enemy machine gun operated from a weapon-pit close to the house began and maintained a high rate of fire on the section. Corporal Clark coolly ignored the weapon and continued his advance. The enemy, however, remained firm and threw a grenade which, inflicted casualties. Corporal Clark’s reaction was immediate. Without regard for his personal safety he dashed directly toward the machine gun. He threw two grenades and, firing his tommy-gun, overran the post, killing one enemy and wounding another and effectively silencing the opposition. Corporal Clark then reorganised his section and led it in the occupation of the house and the surrounding area with such judgment that many casualties were inflicted and several prisoners taken. Throughout the operation Corporal Clark demonstrated high qualities of leadership and at that stage of the advance where hesitation or inaccurate judgment might have saved the day for the enemy his act of great personal courage was a factor of much importance and an outstanding example to his men.'. (Source: The National Archives. Recommendation for Award for Clark, Anthony Gordon. (Ref. WO 373/12/666). Military Medal. AWMM
    • War Medal 1939-1945 AWMM
    • New Zealand War Service Medal AWMM

Training and Enlistment

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  • Military training
  • Branch Trade Proficiency
  • Enlistment
    WW2 Optical mechanic/Civilian AWMM
  • Occupation before enlistment
  • Age on enlistment

Embarkations

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Prisoner of war

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  • Capture details
  • Days interned
  • Liberation date
  • Liberation Repatriation
  • POW liberation details
  • POW serial number

Medical history

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  • Medical notes

Last known rank

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  • Last rank

Biographical information

Biographical information

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  • Lieutenant A. G. Clark, MM; Christchurch; born Christchurch, 20 Dec 1920; optical mechanic. (Source: Kay, R. Italy Volume II : From Cassino to Trieste. p.319.)

    'The advance began with A Company on the right and C on the left, supported by D and B respectively. The enemy reacted almost immediately to the barrage with artillery, mortar and machine-gun fire. The right-hand platoon of A Company (No. 7) suffered so many casualties, first from shellfire and then in a minefield, that its place had to be taken by the reserve platoon (No. 8). The left-hand leading platoon of A Company (No. 6) passed safely through an undetected minefield in front of Casa Ianna and was in possession of the house by 3 a.m. Corporal Clark silenced a spandau post with hand grenades and tommy-gun fire. The platoon set alight the nearby haystacks, which drove out the enemy who were occupying pits underneath, and altogether captured 17 Germans.' (Source: Kay, R. Italy Volume II : From Cassino to Trieste. p. 319.) AWMM
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Death

About death

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  • Death
  • Date of death
  • Age at death
  • Place of death
  • Cause of death
  • Death notes
  • Cemetery
  • Cemetery name
  • Grave reference
  • Obituary
  • Memorial name
  • Memorial reference

Memorials

Memorial

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  • Memorial name

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Sources

Sources

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  • External links
    • 'The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following immediate awards in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Italy.' (London Gazette, 21 June 1945, p.3237.). Military Medal.
      http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/37138/supplements/3237
      Further Reference
    • 'On the night of 14-15 December 1944, during the attack towards the SENIO RIVER, Italy, Corporal Clark was in command of a section detailed to attack from the right flank a very strongly held enemy position at Casa Ianna. As he led his men through a minefield towards this position an enemy machine gun operated from a weapon-pit close to the house began and maintained a high rate of fire on the section. Corporal Clark coolly ignored the weapon and continued his advance. The enemy, however, remained firm and threw a grenade which, inflicted casualties. Corporal Clark’s reaction was immediate. Without regard for his personal safety he dashed directly toward the machine gun. He threw two grenades and, firing his tommy-gun, overran the post, killing one enemy and wounding another and effectively silencing the opposition. Corporal Clark then reorganised his section and led it in the occupation of the house and the surrounding area with such judgment that many casualties were inflicted and several prisoners taken. Throughout the operation Corporal Clark demonstrated high qualities of leadership and at that stage of the advance where hesitation or inaccurate judgment might have saved the day for the enemy his act of great personal courage was a factor of much importance and an outstanding example to his men.'. (Source: The National Archives. Recommendation for Award for Clark, Anthony Gordon. (Ref. WO 373/12/666). Military Medal.
      http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/Details?uri=D7354742
      Further Reference
  • References
    • Puttick, E. (1960). 25 Battalion. Wellington, N.Z.: Department of Internal Affairs, War History Branch. AWMM
      pp.611, 622. AWMM
    • Kay, R. (1967). Italy. Volume 2. From Cassino to Trieste. Dept. of Internal Affairs, Historical Publications Branch, Wellington, N.Z. AWMM
      p.319. AWMM
    • Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force. (1945). Nominal Roll Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force No. 11 (Embarkations from 1st April, 1943 to 30th June, 1943). Wellington, N.Z.: Govt. Printer. AWMM
      p.25 AWMM

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