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16736 7th Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment
Harry Clark was born in Sudbury around 1894, the eldest son and one of seven children of Henry (known as Harry) and Annie Clark. His father was employed as a soap maker and the family lived at 5 Straw Lane before moving to 22 Plough Lane. At the age of 17 Harry was employed as a butcher.
Harry enlisted in St. Pancras, London and was first sent to France landing at Le Havre with his battalion in September 1915. The battalion formed part of 78th Brigade, 26th Division and was sent to the west of Amiens. In November it was decided to move the Division to Salonika via Marseilles. Harry’s battalion saw action at the Battle of Horseshoe Hill (10 – 18 August 1916) when the French and British launched an offensive against the Bulgarian Army. Reports in the battalion war diary mention a number of other ranks (OR) wounded during enemy shelling during this period and the following weeks. It is possible that Harry may have been one of these casualties and died of his wounds. Burials from Horseshoe Hill and Kidney Hill where the battalion was at this time were transferred to Karasouli Cemetery after the war.
Harry died aged 22 on 27 August 1916 and lies buried in Karasouli Military Cemetery, Greece. A Cross of Remembrance was laid by his grave on my behalf in August 2014.
Harry was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. He is also remembered on the memorial at the Baptist Church, Church Street, Sudbury.
His younger brother Arthur Claude lost his life fourteen months later serving with the Essex Regiment in Belgium and is also remembered on the Sudbury War Memorial and Baptist Church Memorial.
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