Lieutenant-Colonel A.B.S. Clarke
9th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry

Both were extremely popular with the officers and men of the battalion and the loss was strongly felt by all. Lieutenant Colonel Clarke had always led from the front and there is little doubt he would have reached higher rank had he lived. Major Robinson was equally well liked. Tall and well built, he was easily recognisable and had built a fine reputation within the battalion.

(Harry Moses, The Gateshead Gurkhas, 253)

Born on 11 September 1906 Cuckfield, Sussex, Andrew Board Stephenson Clarke was a commissioned officer in the King’s Own Scottish Borders since 1926. He mobilized with the 8th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry as adjutant in September 1939. He was wounded by enemy bombing during the Blitz but continued to serve with the 8th DLI through to its deployment to the Middle East as part of 151st Infantry Brigade, 50th Division. He rose to second-in-command during the North Africa campaign.

Continue reading →