| Surname: | Clark |
| Initials: | F L |
| Rank: | Lance Corporal |
| Army Number: | 7689916 |
| Notes: | CMP. He enlisted in to CMP. 22/4/44 7689916 L/Cpl Clark F L awarded MM for outstanding conduct at the Battle of Sangro. 101 Pro Coy, Unit War Diary WO 170/3547. Medal Index Card not found. Frederick Leonard Clark Extract from the Western Gazette, 12/5/44. Outstanding Work. MM for Bournemouth Man. For outstanding work both during the crossing of the River Sangro in Italy and since L/Cpl F L Clark, Corps of Military Police, Bournemouth has been awarded the Military Medal. During the night of November 20th 1943, it was operationally vital for the Provost Company to collect and dump on the south bank of the river Sangro large numbers of lamps and signs and to distribute the equipment over a distance of four miles to the crossing on the south bank of the river. L/Cpl Clark borrowed a lorry and alone performed this task, under conditions of shell fire, and in immediate proximity to known enemy minefields. The following night in complete darkness and in heavy rain, L/Cpl Clark volunteered to guide personnel briefed for duty on the five river crossings with no protecting troops in the neighbourhood. |
Decoration Record: | |
| Decoration: | Military Medal (London Gazette: 36497 Page: 2045 May 4, 1944) |
| Citation: | Military Medal Citation.Sangro River, ItalyBetween 2000 and 2300 hours on 20 November 1943 it was operationally vital for 101 Pro Coy to collect and dump on the south bank of the river SANGRO large numbers of lamps and signs. All this equipment had to be distributed over a distance of 4 miles to crossings on the south bank of the river (from MR 402971 to 434012 sheet 148.iv 1/50,000 Italy). Lance Corporal Clark borrowed a 3 ton lorry from 751 Field Park Company RE and alone peformed this task, under continual shellfire, and in immediate proximity to known enemy minefields. On the night of 21 November in complete darkness and in heavy rain, Lance Corporal Clark again volunteered to guide all personnel briefed for duty on the five river crossings, under similar adverse conditions, and with no protecting troops in the neighbourhood. This NCO on both occasions carried out the difficult and dangerous task of driving a 3 ton lorry in an area which was in near proximity to the enemy. Lance Corporal Clark set a splendid example of outstanding courage, initiative and devotion to duty. Since crossing the river SANGRO Lance Corporal Clark has continually been outstanding in his many and varied tasks.Awarded an immediate MM. Recommended by APM 5 Corps. National Archive WO 373/5. |