A Great War Hill 70 M.M. awarded to Acting Corporal R. B. Clarke, 46th (South Saskatchewan) Battalion, Canadian Infantry, who was killed in action in October 1917

Military Medal, G.V.R. (472563 A. Cpl. R. B. Clarke, 46/Can. Inf.) good very fine £500-600

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Fine Collection of Awards to the Canadian Forces.

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M.M. London Gazette 19 November 1917. The original recommendation states:

‘He performed very valuable services as Patrol Leader. On the afternoon of 19 August, he made a daylight reconnaissance, in the possession of the enemy. On the morning of 20 August, he made a second reconnaissance of this same area. After dark, on the same day, he was one of a patrol sent to investigate this same building in order to locate enemy posts, and obtain information to facilitate the attack planned for the following morning. This duty was carried out and valuable information obtained. On the night of 23-24 August, and again on the night of 24th-25th, he reconnoitred, bringing back valuable information.’

Robert Benjamin Clarke was born in Norwich, Norfolk. Living in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, and a Blacksmith by occupation, he enlisted into the 65th (Saskatchewan) Battalion. Proceeding to England then France he transferred to the 46th (South Saskatchewan) Battalion and, as an Acting Corporal, was awarded the M.M. in August 1917 for his reconnaissance work during the Battle of Hill 70. Clarke was killed in action on 20 October 1917 just prior to the Battle of Passchendaele. Having no known grave, his name is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial. He was the son of Mrs. H. Clarke, of 27 Sutton Road, Newport, Monmouthshire, and the husband of Mrs. Stella Clarke, of Whittlemore Place, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.A.; sold with copied service papers.