Edward Wells Clark

Rank:

Private

Regimental number:

452400

Unit at enlistment:

58th Battalion

Force:

C.E.F.

Volunteered or conscripted:

Volunteered

Survived the war:

Date of death:

September 16th, 1916

Cemetery:

Vimy Memorial - Pas de Calais, France

Commemorated at:

Grace Anglican Church, Independent Order of Foresters, Victoria Public School Honour Roll

Birth country:

Canada

Birth county:

Brant

Birth city:

Brantford, Ontario

Address at enlistment:

47 Church Street, Brantford, Ontario

Next of kin address:

47 Church Street, Brantford, Ontario

Trade or calling:

Candy maker

Religious denominations:

Church of England

Marital status:

Single

Age at enlistment:

Image gallery:

Letters and documents

Circumstances of Casualty: Killed in Action.
Location of Unit at Time of Casualty: Courcelette.

BX October 10, 1916

Killed in Action

That Private Edward Clark had been killed in action about three weeks ago was the word received Saturday by his father, Thomas Francis Clark, of the Glassco store. Private Clark, who was born and educated in Brantford, is very well known here. He enlisted for overseas in “C” Company of the 58th Battalion. Later after reaching France, he was transferred to the machine gun section and it is thought, was with this section when he met death. Although through several hot engagements, including the one in which Major Ballachey was killed and his own company commander, Major Hicks wounded, he never suffered a scratch. When war broke out he was employed in the west but returned to his home and enlisted over a year ago. His father, mother and several brothers survive him.

BX July 4, 1916

High Tribute to Major Ballachey – Private E. Clark Says He was Best Man in 58th Battalion

The following letter, written on June 17, somewhere in France, by Private Edward Wells Clark to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Clark of Glassco’s, tells of the battle in which Major P.P. Ballachey met his death:

Well mother, I have seen and been through something in the last two or three weeks. I suppose you have seen by the papers that we have been in some hot places lately. I do not know how anybody ever comes out alive. I cannot tell you anything about it, but will if I have the luck to come home. I suppose you have seen about Major Ballachey, the best man we had in the 58th Battalion, the only one we saw for two days, and he came right into the thick of the battle, but got hit on the last day we were there. There is only about one-quarter of the 58th left and I am one of the lucky ones for once.

We are going away, back for a month’s rest and we sure do need it too. In this letter, you will find part of a German coat. I shot him with my own rifle. He was an officer, but what rank I do not know, as I did not have time to find out. Our machine gun was put out of action in the last mix-up, but we still went through, as you will see by the papers. We go what we went after and some more.

Well, mother, I am sure satisfied to come home any day, believe me. Remember me to all, with love.

Your son,

E. Clark