James Clarke VC

b. 06/04/1894 Winsford, Cheshire. d. 10/06/1947 Rochdale, Lancashire.

James Clarke (1894-1947) was born on 6th April 1894 at Greenfield Cottage, 8 High Street, Winsford, Cheshire. His father, John, was born in Bunbury, Cheshire, and was a labourer. He married Hannah Hodkinson from Tunstall, Staffordshire, in 1889 registered at Northwich, Cheshire. John later became a salt boiler. In addition to James, they had fourteen other children, five of whom had died prior to 1911.

James was educated at St John’s School, Over Winsford, Cheshire. He was employed as a farm labourer before moving to Rochdale, Lancashire in 1913. He became a carter with Butterworth Bros, Carters of Milnrow and later for William Tatham & Sons in Rochdale.

James married Betty Sophia Wood, a cotton mill cardroom hand from Milnrow, on 7th August 1915 at St James’ Church, Milnrow. They would have five children – James, Vera (born and died 1919), Edith (born and died 1921), Hilda and Elsie.

James enlisted with the 6th Lancashire Fusiliers on 10th October 1915 and transferred to 15th Battalion after training in 1916. He was promoted to sergeant and was appointed acting company sergeant major but, because of a shortage of NCOs, he also continued with his platoon.

James Clarke VC

During an attack on Happegarbes, France, on 2nd November 1918, he led his men forward with great determination, and on being held up be heavy machine-gun fire, rushed forward through a thick, strongly held ridge, captured in succession four machine-guns, and single-handed bayoneted the crews. Later he led the remnants of his platoon to the capture of three machine-guns and many prisoners. In the later stages of the attack on the same day, when his platoon was held up by enemy machine-guns, he successfully led a tank against them over very exposed ground. Continuing the attack on 3rd November, after capturing many prisoners and gaining his objective, he organized his line most skillfully and held up the enemy. On 4 Nov., in the attack on the Oise-Sambre Canal, under heavy fire from the canal bank, he rushed forward with a Lewis Gun team in the face on an intense barrage, brought the gun into action, and effectively silenced the enemy’s fire, this enabling his company to advance and gain their objectives.

Throughout the whole of these operations Sergt. Clarke acted with magnificent bravery and total disregard of personal safety, and by his gallantry and high sense of duty set an inspiring example to all ranks.

On 1st February 1919 a large crowd welcomed him home to Rochdale, where he was presented with commemorative gifts including a gold watch. On 13th Febuary 1919, he was presented with the Victoria Cross by King George V in the ballroom of Buckingham Palace. Mr Clarke went on to attend reunions of VC winners in 1920 and 1929, while working as a stoker in Rochdale, but he lost his job when ill-health overtook him in 1927. He had been affected by a serious mastoid infection.

With three children to bring up, his wife found work in a cotton mill while Mr Clarke bought a barrel organ, playing it around the streets of Manchester. In 1933 he went to London and was arrested by police for obstructing a footpath. Proudly wearing his medals at his court appearance, Mr Clarke was discharged on probation by the judge after hearing of his impressive war record. James was later employed as an attendant at the Belle Vue Greyhound Racing Track in Manchester.

He returned to the family home in Milnrow Road, and was healthy enough to participate in the World War II Victory Parade on June 8th, 1946, but died the next year of pneumonia at Birch Hill Hospital, Rochdale, Lancashire on 10th June 1947. He left a widow and three children. He was buried in Rochdale Cemetery with full military honours. His grave remained unmarked until the Lancashire Fusiliers Regimental Association arranged for a wooden cross to be placed there in 1992. A proper headstone was placed in 1993 and it was dedicated on 11th November 1994, with his daughter, Elsie Kemp and other family in attendance. The VC and GC Association were represented at the service by Lieutenant Commander Ian Fraser VC DSC RD.

James is commemorated with RSM James Clarke VC Walk in Rochdale, with James Clarke Road in Winsford, on the Winsford War Memorial, and with a VC commemorative stone placed at Winsford Lifestyle Centre (dedicated on 2nd November 2018).

In addition to his VC, he was awarded the British War Medal 1914-20, Victory Medal 1914-19 and George VI Coronation Medal 1937. The medals were owned by his daughter, Hilda, who sold them at a Christie’s auction for £8,800 on 24th July 1984. The group was sold again at Spink’s on 12th March 1996 for £22,800. They were purchased on behalf of the Michael Ashcroft Trust and form part of the Ashcroft Collection.

LOCATION OF MEDAL: LORD ASHCROFT COLLECTION.

BURIAL PLACE: ROCHDALE CEMETERY, LANCASHIRE.

SECTION O/P, GRAVE 14155