The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of (6290) Private Clifford John Clarke, 20th Battalion, AIF, First World War

The Last Post Ceremony is presented in the Commemorative area of the Australian War Memorial each day. The ceremony commemorates more than 102,000 Australians who have given their lives in war and other operations and whose names are recorded on the Roll of Honour. At each ceremony the story behind one of the names on the Roll of Honour is told. Hosted by Charis May, the story for this day was on (6290) Private Clifford John Clarke, 20th Battalion, AIF, First World War.

6290 Private Clifford John Clarke, 20th Battalion, AIF
KIA 4 October 1917
Photograph supplied by family

Story delivered 1 August 2015

Today we remember and pay tribute to Private Clifford John Clarke.

Cliff Clarke was born in 1898 near Burragorang in New South Wales to Stewart and Annie Elizabeth Clarke. He attended the local school, and went to work on the family farm. He was known to be a fiery character, quick to fight, and enjoyed hunting and trapping rabbits and foxes. When he was 16 his mother died in childbirth, and the children of the family were sent to various relatives in the district. Cliff soon found a paying job and became independent.

That same year Cliff attempted to enlist in the Australian Imperial Force. Even though he was a big, strong lad, he was caught putting his age up to 18, and was turned down. Two years later, in 1916, he enlisted successfully. By the following year Stewart Clarke would have three sons at war: Cliff, Tom, and Horace.

Private Cliff Clarke was posted to the 20th Battalion, and after beginning his training in Australia was sent to England. He spent a month in hospital in early 1917, and did not join his battalion in the trenches of the Western Front until late June 1917. On 20 September the battalion attacked German positions along the Westhoek Ridge, holding the line against several enemy counter-attacks.

After short rest, the 20th Battalion was again in the front line near the Belgian village of Ypres. In the early hours of 4 October 1917 it moved into the support lines near Zonnebeke. While the men were relieving the 21st Battalion in the front lines they were hit by a heavy German artillery barrage. Private Cliff Clarke was buried by one of the shells.

Attempts were made to dig him out, but it was too late. Some reports state that he was barely alive when he was recovered, others that he died under the earth thrown up in the blast. In any case, he did not survive long, and was buried nearby under his rifle and helmet.

Cliff Clarke was 19 years old.

His brothers Tom and Horace both returned to Australia after the war, Tom severely wounded.

Cliff’s name is listed on the Roll of Honour on my right, among more than 60,000 Australians who died during the First World War. His photograph is displayed today beside the Pool of Reflection.

This is but one of the many stories of service and sacrifice told here at the Australian War Memorial. We now remember Private Clifford John Clarke, and all those Australians who have given their lives in the service of our nation.

Dr Meleah Hampton
Historian, Military History Section

Sources:
Australian War Memorial Red Cross Wounded and Missing file, Clifford John Clarke.

20th Battalion War Diary, September–October 1917, Australian War Memorial: AWM4 23/37/26 and 23/37/27.

“Burragorang news”, Camden News, 13 June 1918, p. 3.

“Burragorang news”, Camden News, 17 October 1918, p. 2.

“Cox’s River news”, Camden News, 17 May 1917, p. 4.

Family correspondence.