B C Clark

Regiment: 5th Dragoon Guards

Father: Mr F R Clark

Brother: Ernest James Clark

Address: 23 Bexhill Road, St Leonards

Other Info: At the Front.

An article published in the Hastings & St Leonards Observer dated 12th December 1914 reports: “Mr & Mrs F. R. Clark, of 23 Bexhill Road, St Leonards, have received from their son, Trooper B. C. Clark, 5th Dragoon Guards, an interesting letter, in the course of which he says: “The worst is over, but we still have to stop in case we are required. We are not doing so badly. We had a rough time in the retirement, ran into three Army Corps, and only us few, still we got out of it, although we lost a considerable number of the men at Mons.

We thought it was hot there, but its not a patch on Messines or Ypres, and the Boer Was was a picnic to this. We had to gallop for Messines, and we were there just in time to stop the Germans entering. Then there was a fight, but we managed to turn them back.

We are the Phantom Brigade, all over the show. We marched 160 miles in five days, then had a sudden order to gallop for it, and we had to stick there for 13 days. The shells were bursting in the Market Square, about 30 to a minute. It was hot. Anyhow they could not chase us.

They brought from Antwerp 15 Battalions of infantry and 14 siege guns (coal boxes). We kept them in check for two days, then had to retire. Well, we managed to get back about 9 a.m., but got chased out in the evening, and we had three infantry regiments to support us. We were like caged rats running all over the show.

We were visited by Sir J. French, and he praised us up wonderfully. I got mentioned for carrying and bandaging wounded. This is the second time.

We have been doing all infantry work as well as our own, so have been well on the move.”

The writer graphically describes getting in and out of Ypres, and adds “but we are still alive and kicking. We were also at Crevonne (Coalbox Corner). Don’t worry. Use Sunlight.”

Published: November 1914

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