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Edmund Humphris Clark – Mentioned in Dispatches

Corporal, No. 1 Troop, A Squadron, Lord Strathcona’s Horse

- Queens South Africa Medal to 15 PTE. E.H. CLARK, LD. STRATHCONA’S H. with clasps Natal, Orange Free State and Belfast.

Edmund Clark was born on 16 August 1859 in Aldington, Worcestershire, the son of Thomas Humphris Clark, a Clergyman with the Church of England and his wife Anne Rebekah. He was baptised on 11 September 1859 in Badsey, Worcestershire.

Our first glimpse of a young Edmund comes via the 1861 England census – on this occasion he was staying with his grandparents at Manor Farm, Hinton on the Green. William Gough, Edmund’s maternal grandfather, was a prosperous farmer of 777 acres, employing 17 men, 7 boys and 8 women. Of Mr Clark there was no sign but Edmund (2) was with his mother Ann and siblings, Ann and Declan. Reverend Clark's absence was soon explained - he was at home in the Vicarage at Sutton under Brailes in Warwickshire where he was the Curate, whilst his wife visited her parents.

Ten years later, at the time of the 1871 England census, an 11 year old Edmund was at home in The Lodge in Denmark Road, Barton St. Mary’s in Gloucestershire where his father was the Warden and Chaplain of St. Lucy’s Home of Charity, a position he had accepted in 1869.

What happened to Clark after this is a matter of speculation. He was probably sent away to school as a Boarder and nothing is known of his movements until, almost thirty years later, on 10 February 1900, he completed the Attestation Forms for enlistment with Lord Strathcona’s Horse in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. He confirmed that he was 39 years of age and a Farmer by occupation. He was still unmarried and gave his father, T.H. Clark of Maldon, Essex, England as his next of kin.

Undergoing a medical, he was found to be 5 feet 6 ¼ inches in height with good muscular development, good intelligence and a “sanguine” temperament. A Rancher (Farmer), he had a fair complexion, fair hair, blue eyes and good sight, hearing and feet and weighed 140 pounds. His heart was considered normal and his lungs healthy. Of hernias, hemorrhoids and varix there were none but, by way of distinguishing marks about his person, he was found to be missing the first joint of two fingers on his left hand – proving beyond doubt that farming was not for the faint-hearted.

But what had occasioned this sudden appearance after all these years in, one can assume, the wilderness? For that we have to thank the outbreak of hostilities between the two Boer Republics of the Orange Free State and Transvaal in far-away South Africa. These two recalcitrants had, on 11 October 1899, declared war on the might of Great Britain. Woefully underestimating the character, ability and armaments of their intended foe, the British had been caught napping with a negligible military presence in their South African Colonies of the Cape Province and Natal, with which to wage war.

Of initial reverses there were many and, within the first few weeks, the Boers had laid siege to the important towns of Kimberley, Ladysmith and Mafeking. In what became known as “Black Week” further reversals were experienced and the call went out to the Empire to send men to augment the British Regular Army war effort. Canada, like many other colonies, sprang forward with alacrity.

On 11th January 1900 Lord Strathcona, the Canadian High Commissioner in London, offered "to equip and land at Cape Town, at his own expense, 500 Rough-riders from the Canadian North-West, as a special service corps of Mounted Rifles". Two days later his offer was accepted by the Secretary of State for War.

Recruiting commenced immediately, stopping on February 10 when the desired number was reached (in fact they were oversubscribed), the regiment was complete on March 7, and a mounted parade was ordered for that day for inspection by His Excellency the Governor General, a flag on behalf of the citizens of the town of Sudbury was presented to the regiment.

Monday the 12th was the day named for the departure of the regiment for Halifax, and as it was necessary to start early the horses where all loaded on the 11th - they were entrained at 10 o’clock and moved out amidst the encouraging cheers of the large number of people who had come to see them off. Arriving at Montreal at 3 p.m. they met with a most enthusiastic reception. The corps entrained again at 10 p.m. and reached Halifax on the morning of March 15.



On the 16th, at 3 p.m., the regiment was paraded and drawn up en masse in the drill hall and were inspected by Lt. Gen. Lord Wm. Seymour, commanding the troops in British North America. After the inspection the regiment marched through the streets, headed by the whole garrison, to the ship and immediately embarked. A few minutes later, amidst the greatest enthusiasm possible, the ship pulled out in the stream, where she remained until the following day. The force embarked comprised 28 officers, 512 of other ranks, with 599 horses, 3 maxims, 1 pom-pom, 500 rounds per rifle and 50,000 rounds for each maxim.

The voyage from Halifax to Cape Town was marked by splendid weather “not a rough sea was experienced during the whole of it “but the enjoyment was marred to a large extent by the worry and sorrow brought about by the loss of so many horses. It was found after one or two days out that a great many of the horses were unable to stand the decided change of climate between the prairie country and Ottawa and between the latter city and Halifax. The slight colds contracted soon developed, and before many days, in spite of everything that could be done, we found ourselves with an epidemic of pneumonia amongst the animals.”

The ship arrived in Table Bay on the 10th of April and the men disembarked the following day, going into camp on Green Point Common. Unfortunately, 176 horses had been lost at sea, an unusually large proportion. After about five weeks impatiently spent near Cape Town, the force again re-embarked for Natal; two squadrons were put off at Durban and one, 'B' was taken to Kosi Bay as part of an expedition into Swaziland, but this did not come off; perhaps the enemy was found to have heard of it. 'B' squadron consequently, returned to Durban.

In June the corps was taken by rail to Newcastle in the north of Natal where it joined General Buller's army, being put into the 3rd Mounted Brigade under Lord Dundonald, and attached for the time to General Clery's Division. On 30 June, Clery took his force, including L.S.H., on the march – they reached Greylingstad in stages on 2 July and two days later, relieved Hart’s post at Zuikerbosch.

On 1st July they had, near Waterval on the Natal-Pretoria Railway, the first of many skirmishes, and suffered their first losses in action. That week they were engaged on several occasions, having altogether about 15 casualties. In one of these little actions Sergeant A H L Richardson gained the Victoria Cross. "On 5th July at Wolve Spruit, about 15 miles north of Standerton, a party of Strathcona's Corps, only 38 in number, came into contact, and was engaged at close quarters, with a force of 80 of the enemy.

When the order to retire had been given Sergeant Richardson rode back under a very heavy cross-fire and picked up a trooper whose horse had been shot and who was wounded in two places, and rode with him out of fire. At the time when this act of gallantry was performed Sergeant Richardson was within 300 yards of the enemy, and was himself riding a wounded horse".

On the 14th August three squadrons of Strathcona’s Horse were dispatched to Carolina, off the line of march, where, after some fighting with about 40 armed Boers, they burned all the warlike stores left in the town, and then rejoined the main column.


Clark would be one of these men

General Buller did the regiment honour by asking them to provide 150 men as escort to himself to Heidelberg, on his way to Pretoria to meet Lord Roberts. As a result of the conference between these leaders General Buller shortly commenced preparations for moving northwards across the Eastern Transvaal, so as to meet and co-operate with Lord Roberts' army in the neighbourhood of Belfast. Lord Dundonald's Brigade, the South African Light Horse, and Strathcona's Corps, were part of the force taken by General Buller all through the advance to Belfast and Bergendal, and afterwards into the mountains of the Lydenburg district.

Having returned to the Delagoa Railway line about the 7th October, the regiment were here told to make over their horses, and they entrained for Pretoria. The regiment parted regretfully from General Buller, a leader in whom they had learned to repose every trust. When he bade them farewell General Buller said that, having served in the north-west of Canada, he looked upon the corps as old friends, and he gave them and the South African Light Horse the highest praise. In his final despatch General Buller said: "Lord Strathcona's Corps joined the force in June, and from the moment of their arrival they served with marked success. I can hardly speak too highly of the value Strathcona's Horse have been to the Natal Field Force".

On 20th October horses were again served out to the regiment, and they were sent to reinforce General Barton near Frederickstad. On 10th November when acting as advance-guard they earned the commendation of that gentleman. In a letter to Colonel Steele General Barton said: "I cannot speak too highly of the practical and effective manner in which the duty assigned to your splendid corps was carried out by yourself and all under your command yesterday. I have specially mentioned this in my report". The regiment had, among other good deeds, effected the capture of 600 cattle and 1200 sheep.

In his despatch of 8th March 1901 Lord Kitchener mentioned that when, in November 1900, he learned that De Wet was to attempt to invade Cape Colony, a large number of troops was railed from the Transvaal to the south of Bloemfontein, and among these he included Strathcona's' Corps. They were put under General C Knox, and took part in the hard and exciting work which a pursuit of De Wet entailed. This work lasted throughout December. On 20th January 1901 the regiment re-embarked for Canada, via England; and on 15th February they had the great honour to receive a Colour from King Edward, who also presented them with their medal.

For his considerable effort Clarke (as he was also known) was Mentioned in Dispatches for having “specially distinguished himself” – the notification appeared in the London Gazette of February 8, 1901. All told 45 men of the regiment were MiD in the same publication – proof positive that Strathcona’s Horse were a formidable outfit.

Clark was awarded the Queens Medal with clasps Natal, Orange Free State, Belfast and South Africa 1901. It was addressed to “The High Commissioner, Canada, London on 10 September 1901. He also received promotion to Corporal during the campaign.

The regiment might have embarked for Canada via England but Clark, it would appear, was intent on catching up with his family and the friends who would remember him. He appears in the 1901 England census as being at his father’s home in Church Street, Haybridge, Maldon in Essex where his father was the Curate. Aged 41 he is listed on the census as a Soldier. The prodigal son had returned. His 73 year old father was now a widower and was cared for by his sister Ann, who had never married, and a maid servant.

The Essex County Chronicle of 21 June 1901 carried an article headed “Essex Volunteers Return” wherein it was stated that: -

“The borough of Maldon was in a state of great excitement on Friday evening when the principal residents extended a welcome of a most hearty and enthusiastic character, to her returning volunteers. At the public hall a dinner was held…... among whose number was Corporal E.H. Clark of Strathcona’s Horse.”

At some point he made it back to Winnipeg in Canada where he resumed his farming activities. All was quiet on the Clark front but his equanimity, and that of millions of others, was disturbed, on 4 August 1914, by the outbreak of the Great War. Once again the colonies of the British Empire answered her rallying cry and came out on her side against the German Kaiser and his allies.

Biding his time, Clark eventually took the plunge and, at Winnipeg on 25 March 1916, attested for service with the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force. It must be remembered that he was now 56 and would probably not have been considered on account of his age. Clark however, was not above a bit of duplicity – he lied about his date of birth claiming to have been born on 16 August 1870 – a full ten years difference.

Confirming that he was a Farmer and that his address was 277 Assiniboine Avenue, Winnipeg, he gave the name of his sister Ethel Humphris Clark of Cauldfield, Coldash Berkshire as his next of kin. Still unmarried he claimed 3 ½ years service with the 95th Battalion in the North West Rebellion, service with the R.S.M.I. and 1 ½ years service with Strathcona’s Horse in South Africa.

Physically, he was 5 feet 6 ¾ inches in height with a dark complexion, blue eyes and brown/grey hair. Having been passed as a fit “45 year old” he was assigned no. 234484 and the rank of Private with the 203rd Overseas Battalion.

Clark served in England with the 18th Reserve Battalion at Seaford for 25 months and was discharged on demobilisation on 31 January 1919. According to his discharge certificate he was 59 years and 5 months old with grey eyes and “dark (grey streaked) hair.” Highly thought of, he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. A medical conducted on him gave the reason as to why he was missing two fingers – it was as a result of a childhood accident.

His true age was revealed by a medical board examination on 22 December 1916 when he was found to be “Over Age, otherwise fit”. The Board recommended Permanent Base Duty – Class B II. He had embarked for England aboard the S.S. “Grampion” on 4 November 1916 from Halifax, disembarking at Liverpool the next day. His service was not without incident, on 7 April 1917 he was demoted to the ranks having “Absconded from Parade” at Dibgate; but he was reinstated as Sergeant on 29 November 1917. On 7 December 1918, almost a month after the cessation of hostilities, he sailed for Canada aboard the “Olympia”.

Edmund Clark passed away on 8 January 1952 at the age of 92. He had never married and was buried at Brookside Cemetery in Winnipeg.

Thank You Rory for a slice of history of as far as I am concerned the Greatest Canadian Regiment...…

Mike

Rory; Thanks for an interesting read. I have a fondness for Strathconas Horse medals so if you ever decide to move it on I have a good home for it. Stay safe.

Darin

Retired Lord Strathcona Horse (Royal Canadian) NCO.