Printed from Woolley & Wallis

Description

The H.M.S. Hampshire Casualty group of four medals and the associated Memorial Plaque to Master at Arms William Clark, Royal Navy: 1914-15 Star (180547, W. CLARK. M.A.A., R.N.); British War Medal and Victory Medal (180547 W. CLARK. M.A.A., R.N.); Royal Navy Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, Edward VII (180547 WILLIAM CLARK, SH. CORPL. 1CL., H.M.S. ROYAL ARTHUR.); the first three in their original packaging, about as struck; the fourth in fixed in an oval case with a photograph of the recipient, extremely fine and toned; the Memorial Plaque issued in commemoration of this man (WILLIAM CLARK), in its card holder with commiseration slip; together with an archive of original documents, including: a copy of the recipient's certificate of service, several portrait photographs, a very poignant collection of letters written by this man to his infant daughter Wilhelmina 'Queenie' from H.M.S. Hampshire during the final two years of his life, another letter to his wife Rose and one to him from Queenie, and other items; also a British War Medal 1914-20 (19793 PTE. A. S. STOKES. SOM. L. I.), extremely fine.

William Clark was born in Odiham, Hampshire, on the 6th of May 1878. He entered the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class in August 1894. His character, as revealed by the ephemera offered here, was exemplary, and he rose to the post of Ship's Corporal 1st Class in H.M.S. Vernon in 1906. He was awarded the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in 1911, and rated Master at Arms in 1913. In January 1914 William Clark joined what was to be his final ship, H.M.S. Hampshire. Initially assigned to the China Station, Hampshire returned to home waters at the start of the First World War, and was present for the Battle of Jutland in May 1916. A few days later, en route to Russia with Field Marshal Lord Kitchener as a passenger, Hampshire struck a mine and sank with almost all hands. William Clark was among those who perished.