THE VICTORIA CROSS AND CAMPAIGN MEDALS AWARDED TO CORPORAL LEO CLARKE, 2ND BN ( EASTERN ONTARIO REGIMENT ), CEF, HAVE BEEN ACQUIRED BY THE CANADIAN WAR MUSEUM.
11 June 2010


( select to enlarge )		 Medal entitlement of Corporal Lionel ( Leo ) Clarke,
2nd Bn ( Eastern Ontario Regiment ), CEF

  • Victoria Cross
  • 1914-15 Star
  • British War Medal ( 1914-20 )
  • Victory Medal ( 1914-19 )

Medal group image:
CWM 20090121-001
Tilston Memorial Collection of Canadian Medals
Photo: Bill Kent. © Canadian War Museum

The Victoria Cross and campaign medals awarded to Corporal Leo Clarke, 2nd Bn ( Eastern Ontario Regiment ), Canadian Expeditionary Force, have been acquired by the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa.

For the award of the Victoria Cross

[ London Gazette, 26 October 1916 ], Near Pozieres, Somme, France, 9 September 1916, Acting Corporal Lionel ( Leo ) Beaumaurice Clarke, 2nd Bn ( Eastern Ontario Regiment ), Canadian Expedionary Force.

For most conspicuous bravery ( near Pozieres, France ). He was detailed with his section of bombers to clear the continuation of a newly-captured trench and cover the construction of a "block".

After most of the party had become casualties, he was building a "block" when about twenty of the enemy with two officers counter-attacked. He boldly advanced against them, emptied his revolver into them and afterwards two enemy rifles which he picked up in the trench. One of the officers then attacked him with the bayonet, wounding him in the leg, but he shot him dead. The enemy then ran away, pursued by Acting Corporal Clarke, who shot four more and captured a fifth.

Later he was ordered to the dressing station, but returned next day for duty.

Although Leo Clarke continued in the battle his wounds became very serious and he was sent to Number One General Hospital, Etretat near Le Havre, where he died on the 19th October 1916. He was buried at Etretat Churchyard, Plot 11, Row C, Grave 3A.

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Iain Stewart, 11 June 2010