Name
Patrick Clarke
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
07/06/1917
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
5444
Royal Dublin Fusiliers
2nd Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
BELLS HILL BURIAL GROUND
Plot C.7. Grave 239.
United Kingdom
Headstone Inscription
No Report
UK & Other Memorials
We are not aware of any memorial in Bells Hill
Pre War
Patrick was born in 1897 Clontarf, Dublin to father, (not found) and Jane Clarke. On the Ireland Census 1911 Patrick and his older brother Michael was living with his grandfather Peter in Celbridge, County Kildare, Ireland.
Wartime Service
Patrick attested on 18 Feb 1913 as Private 5444 for the Royal Dublin Fusiliers in Dublin and was posted to 3rd Battalion. He seems to have engaged on Territorial Force terms (Special Reserve) he was made permanent on 8 Aug 1914. Patrick was posted to 2nd Battalion on 25 Oct 1914 and went to France on 27 Oct 1914.
He was wounded (Gun Shot Wound to Back) on 15 Dec 1914 and after treatment at a Field Ambulance returned to his Unit on 20 Dec 1914. He was again wounded on 10 May 1915 (GSW Left Arm), this time being treated at Rouen. Patrick was made Lance Corporal on 7 Oct 1915 but reverted to Private at his own request on 29 Feb 1916, temporarily on administrative duties having rejoined his unit on 26 Nov 1916. He was wounded (GSW Buttock) on 27 May 1917 and passing through 53 Casualty Clearing Station and No 13 General Hospital arrived in UK at Barnet War Hospital on 3 Jun 1917. Patrick died from his wounds on 7 Jun 1917.
2nd Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers had gone to France in Aug 1914 and had been part of the retreat from Mons fighting at Le Cateau, Marne etc., at 2nd Ypres (particulary St Julien) in 1915, The Somme 1916, Arras 1917. Patrick was probably involved in Battles between 2nd Ypres to Arras.
Additional Information
War Gratuity of £13 and arrears of £8 7s 5d was paid to his brother.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
