Lieutenant-Colonel Reg Clark
Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry

His presence, and the example of his disregard for his own safety, were a source of great confidence and inspiration to all ranks of the battalion. By his courage, sound planning and firm leadership, Lieutenant-Colonel Clark ensured the success of his battalion’s attack and inspired it to hold firm in the teeth of this enemy bastion.

(D.S.O. citation, 7 Apr 1945)

Born on 28 March 1909 in Vancouver, Reginald Percival Clark was a broker, adjutant with the BC Regiment, and son of First World War battalion commander Brigadier General Robert Percy Clark (1872–1932). His three brothers and sister also volunteered on the outbreak of the Second World War. Reg joined the PPCLI and went overseas in December 1939. He was a company commander during the invasion of Sicily in July 1943 and second-in-command by December 1943.

Following leave to attend a special officer course in England in early 1944, Clark rejoined the battalion in Italy. When Lieutenant-Colonel Cameron Ware went on rest leave at the end of June 1944, command passed to Major David Rosser, who had only recently joined the PPCLI in the field. Lieutenant Sydney Frost recalled disappointment that a more experienced officer like Clark had not been selected.

When he later expressed concern about his own prospects for promotion, Frost related that “Clark wasn’t shilly-shallying when he mentioned the possibility of other captains or senior lieutenants coming back to the battalion. It was always a toss-up whether they or the Germans would stand in the way of your promotion. They only difference was that German interference was sometimes final.”

When Lieutenant-Colonel Rosser was wounded on 16 September 1944, Clark took over until the end of the war. “Slug,” as he was affectionately nicknamed, earned the Distinguished Service Order for leadership Canale Naviglio on 14 December 1944. The regimental history noted, “His officers and men knew that it had been amply earned on a dozen occasions.” His older brother, Lieutenant-Colonel Robert C. Clark, commanded the Irish Regiment of Canada during the Italian campaign.

In March 1945, the PPCLI along with I Canadian Corps transferred from Italy to Northwest Europe. Clark led the Pats in the liberation of the Netherlands but was assigned to take over the Royal Winnipeg Rifles as part of the occupation force a month after V-E Day. With his departure, regimental historian G.R. Stevens later wrote:

Thus passed from Regimental service the officer who, together with LCol Ware, had been the outstanding Patricia battle command of the Second World War. His service had been almost continuous and whenever he had led the battalion in battle he showed the firm, sure touch of a born soldier.

He died in Vancouver on 25 August 1980.