James Clarke (6th April 1894 to 10th June 1947)

 

 

I was determined to have a coffee with James in Rochdale’s main cemetery. The problem with main cemeteries is their capacious stretch and this was no different from others I’ve visited – acres of land and dead folk from paupers to local politicians. There was a new section but graves created before the nineteen eighties seemed to be scattered about randomly. I walked around for about forty minutes to find this chap but he was worth it. I had a hot coffee and a flapjack with a headstone that was capturing low November sunlight.

 

James left school at 14 and was a day-labourer. At 21 he enlisted in the Lancashire Fusiliers. By 24 he was an acting company sergeant major and fighting in the First world War. His noteworthy day came during the attack at Happegarbes in France on Saturday 2nd November 1918. He was commanding of a platoon instructed to advance forward to better the British position. The platoon was being bombarded by heavy German gun-fire, mostly from spraying bullets from four machine-guns. James and his men stormed ahead facing a likely death. When James reached the enemy he single-handedly bayonetted the enemy. With what remained of the platoon he led them forward, captured three more machine-guns and took many prisoners. Later that day they faced more enemy machine-guns. James led a tank over exposed ground and destroyed enemy positions. The next day he captured many more prisoners and allowed the British Army to advance further. Two days later in the attack on the Oise-Sambre Canal he found himself under heavy gunfire again. Without regard for his safety he rushed bravely or madly with a Lewis Gun and silenced the enemy's fire.

 

He was awarded the Victoria Cross at Buckingham Palace in February 1919.  He did not find much success in civilian life. With three children to support he bought a barrel organ and played it for money around Manchester Streets (while his wife worked in a cotton mill.) In 1933 he went to London and was arrested by police for obstructing a footpath. In court he wore his war medals and was discharged on probation when the judge heard of his impressive deeds. He was healthy enough to participate in the World War II Victory Parade on 8th June 1946 but died of pneumonia aged 54 the following year at Birch Hill Hospital in Rochdale.

 

I had a coffee by the headstone which was caught in low bright November sunlight. The burial here was attended with full military honours but, despite such shimmering bravery, a simple wooden cross stood here for 47 years. Thankfully the Lancashire Fusiliers Regimental Association paid for this brill headstone. I did a hearty salute with a woman and children watching and drove to Shaw to visit my Uncle Derek.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Having a coffee with the lad…

 

Going to the VC dinner in 1929…

 

The headstone caught in the sunlight…