James Clarke

Seven machine guns captured in three days of fearless action

James Clarke earned the Victoria Cross for extraordinary bravery with the Lancashire Fusiliers during the final days of the First World War. Between 2 and 4 November 1918, at Happegarbes and the Oise-Sambre Canal in France, he captured German machine guns, guided a tank across exposed ground and led a Lewis gun team forward under intense fire to help his company advance.

Born in Winsford, Cheshire, in April 1894, Clarke left school at fourteen and worked as a day labourer and farm hand. He moved to Rochdale in 1913, finding employment as a heavy carter for local industrial firms. In August 1915, he married Betty Sophia Wood. Two months later, he enlisted in the 6th (Rochdale) Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers, before transferring to the 15th (Service) Battalion, known as the 1st Salford Pals.

The battalion sailed for France in November 1915 with the 96th Brigade, 32nd Division. Serving on the Western Front, Clarke rose to sergeant and acted as company sergeant major. By November 1918, his division was pursuing German forces east of Le Cateau as the Allied offensive approached its conclusion.

On 2 November, Clarke was commanding a platoon during the attack at Happegarbes when heavy machine-gun fire halted his men. Advancing alone against a strongly defended ridge, he captured four machine guns in succession and overcame their crews. He then gathered the survivors of his platoon and led them forward to capture three more machine guns and numerous prisoners.

Later that day, another German position stopped the advance. Clarke crossed exposed ground to guide a supporting tank against the enemy guns, enabling the attack to continue. On 3 November, after taking further prisoners and reaching his objective, he skilfully organised his men to hold their position.

During the assault on the Oise-Sambre Canal on 4 November, Clarke again moved forward under heavy fire. Leading a Lewis gun team through an intense barrage, he brought the weapon into action against German positions on the canal bank. Its covering fire enabled his company to advance and secure its objectives.

His Victoria Cross citation appeared in The London Gazette on 6 January 1919, mistakenly naming him “John Clarke.” A correction followed on 31 March. King George V presented his Victoria Cross at Buckingham Palace on 13 February 1919. After civic receptions in Rochdale and Winsford, Clarke was demobilised in May with the rank of regimental sergeant major.

Peace brought years of hardship. Clarke worked for eight years as a stoker at Wilmslow gas works before respiratory illness associated with his wartime service forced him to stop. During subsequent unemployment, he played a barrel organ on Manchester’s streets to support his wife and three children.

Clarke attended the Victoria Cross reunion dinner in 1929 and the London Victory Parade in 1946. He died of pneumonia at Birch Hill Hospital, Rochdale, on 16 June 1947, aged fifty-three, and was buried with military honours in Rochdale Cemetery.