{"product_id":"brothers-nelson-bn-royal-naval-div-kia-arras-1917-ww1-medal-pair-scots-guards","title":"Brothers: Nelson Bn. Royal Naval Div. KIA Arras 1917 WW1 Medal Pair Scots Guards","description":"\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eFamily Group\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eFirst World War Pair – Able Seaman James Burnett Clark, Nelson Battalion, Royal Naval Division, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (RNVR) – K.I.A. Arras 1917\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003ePolice Long Service \u0026amp; Good Conduct Medal – John Gordon Clark, Police, late Scots Guards – Twice W.I.A. (1917 \u0026amp; 1918)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eBritish War Medal – \u003cb\u003eC.Z.7443 J. B. CLARK. A.B. R.N.V.R.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eVictory Medal – \u003cb\u003eC.Z.7443 J. B. CLARK. A.B. R.N.V.R.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003ePolice LS \u0026amp; GC Medal – \u003cb\u003eCONST. JOHN G. CLARK\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cu\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003e(Brothers)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eJames Burnett Clark\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003e was born on \u003cb\u003e17th July 1893\u003c\/b\u003e, the son of \u003cb\u003eJemima Clark\u003c\/b\u003e, and was residing at \u003cb\u003eWoods Buildings, Torphichen, Bathgate, Scotland\u003c\/b\u003e at the time of his enlistment. He was employed in civilian life as a \u003cb\u003echauffeur\u003c\/b\u003e, a skilled occupation requiring mechanical competence and reliability. He was described in his service record as \u003cb\u003e5 feet 10 inches in height\u003c\/b\u003e, with \u003cb\u003efair hair, blue eyes, and fresh complexion\u003c\/b\u003e, and was a member of the \u003cb\u003eChurch of Scotland\u003c\/b\u003e. Notably, he declared that he could not swim — a detail of particular relevance for a man entering naval service.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eHe enlisted in the \u003cb\u003eRoyal Naval Volunteer Reserve (RNVR)\u003c\/b\u003e on \u003cb\u003e30th November 1915\u003c\/b\u003e, receiving the service number \u003cb\u003eClyde Z\/7443\u003c\/b\u003e. Initially rated as \u003cb\u003eOrdinary Seaman\u003c\/b\u003e, he was advanced to \u003cb\u003eAble Seaman on 29th March 1916\u003c\/b\u003e. Upon mobilisation he was attached to the \u003cb\u003e5th Battalion (5\/2212)\u003c\/b\u003e and was subsequently drafted through depot and reserve formations before being posted for service with the \u003cb\u003eNelson Battalion, Royal Naval Division\u003c\/b\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eClark joined the British Expeditionary Force in the summer of 1916. Records show embarkation at \u003cb\u003eFolkestone on 1st August 1916\u003c\/b\u003e, disembarkation at \u003cb\u003eBoulogne the same day\u003c\/b\u003e, and movement to the \u003cb\u003eBase Depot at Étaples on 2nd August 1916\u003c\/b\u003e. After further administrative transfers, he formally joined the \u003cb\u003eNelson Battalion\u003c\/b\u003e on \u003cb\u003e25th November 1916\u003c\/b\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eThe Nelson Battalion formed part of the Royal Naval Division, which by 1916 was serving as infantry on the Western Front. In April 1917 the Division took part in the \u003cb\u003eBattle of Arras\u003c\/b\u003e, including the fighting around Gavrelle and the advance east of Arras.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eOn \u003cb\u003e24th April 1917\u003c\/b\u003e, Able Seaman Clark was reported \u003cb\u003eWounded and Missing\u003c\/b\u003e. Subsequent casualty lists and base reports confirmed his status remained unresolved. Missing circulars were sent to his next of kin, but no definitive information was received. On \u003cb\u003e22nd November 1917\u003c\/b\u003e, a request was submitted for official permission to presume death. On \u003cb\u003e4th December 1917\u003c\/b\u003e, his death was formally accepted for official purposes as \u003cb\u003eKilled in Action, 24th April 1917\u003c\/b\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eHe was initially buried on the battlefield in the Arras sector. In \u003cb\u003eAugust 1920\u003c\/b\u003e, his remains were exhumed from a battlefield grave approximately \u003cb\u003e4½ miles east-north-east of Arras\u003c\/b\u003e and reinterred in \u003cb\u003ePoint-du-Jour Military Cemetery, Athies\u003c\/b\u003e, where he now lies in \u003cb\u003ePlot II, Row H, Grave 26\u003c\/b\u003e. His next of kin, his mother \u003cb\u003eJemima Clark of Torphichen\u003c\/b\u003e, was formally notified of both the presumption of death and the later exhumation and reburial.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eJames Burnett Clark was \u003cb\u003e23 years old\u003c\/b\u003e at the time of his death. His service reflects that of a Scottish RNVR rating who trained in Britain, served as infantry with the Royal Naval Division on the Western Front, and was killed during the heavy fighting of the Arras offensive in April 1917. His records are well documented, detailing mobilisation, front-line service, casualty procedure, and post-war grave concentration.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eJohn Gordon Clark\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003e was born circa \u003cb\u003e1897\u003c\/b\u003e, and was residing at \u003cb\u003eWoods Buildings, Torphichen, Bathgate, Scotland\u003c\/b\u003e, the same address recorded for his brother, \u003cb\u003eAble Seaman James Burnett Clark\u003c\/b\u003e, confirming the family connection through identical next-of-kin details. He enlisted into the \u003cb\u003eScots Guards\u003c\/b\u003e at \u003cb\u003eEdinburgh in September 1916\u003c\/b\u003e, aged \u003cb\u003e19 years\u003c\/b\u003e, joining one of the British Army’s elite Foot Guards regiments during the height of the Great War.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eFollowing training, Clark was posted overseas to the Western Front, where the Scots Guards were heavily engaged in major operations from 1917 onward. During the bitter fighting of \u003cb\u003e25th November 1917\u003c\/b\u003e, in the closing stages of the \u003cb\u003eBattle of Cambrai\u003c\/b\u003e, he was \u003cb\u003eWounded in Action by gunshot wound to the head\u003c\/b\u003e. Surviving such a wound was itself significant, particularly given the intensity of fighting and the vulnerability of infantry exposed to machine-gun and sniper fire.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eHaving recovered sufficiently to return to duty, he again saw active service and was subsequently \u003cb\u003eWounded in Action by gas on 14th September 1918\u003c\/b\u003e, during the Allied advance of the Hundred Days Offensive. Gas casualties at this stage of the war often resulted from mustard gas or mixed shelling designed to disrupt attacking formations and lines of communication. That he survived both a head wound and later gas exposure reflects both resilience and the effectiveness of late-war evacuation and medical systems.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eHis service record confirms the same next of kin and Torphichen address as his brother James, firmly establishing the two men as siblings serving simultaneously during the war — one in the Royal Naval Division who was killed in 1917, and John continuing to serve through to the final months of the conflict.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eDuring his military service, John Clark qualified as a \u003cb\u003e“Bomber”\u003c\/b\u003e within the Scots Guards — a specialist infantry role responsible for the use of hand grenades in trench assaults and close-quarters fighting. Bombers were selected and trained for aggressive front-line work, often operating in advance of rifle sections during raids and attacks.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eFollowing his military service, John Clark entered the police force, embarking upon a second career in disciplined public service. He was later awarded the \u003cb\u003ePolice Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (Police LSGC)\u003c\/b\u003e, confirming a lengthy and exemplary record in civil law enforcement.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eJohn Clark’s life therefore spans two phases of uniformed service — first as a Guardsman of the Scots Guards, twice wounded in action on the Western Front, and later as a long-serving police officer recognised for sustained good conduct. His survival contrasts poignantly with the fate of his brother James, killed at Arras in 1917, making this a significant and emotive two-brother Great War family group.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003ePLEASE NOTE: All research will be sent to the buyer via email. I am unable to provide printed copies, as I do not have access to a printer.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eVisit my website for better prices on most of my stock.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eAJMS Medals\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"AJMS Medals","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53667839312218,"sku":null,"price":142.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0958\/9850\/1466\/files\/20260121_151356.png?v=1771854466","url":"https:\/\/ajms-medals.com\/products\/brothers-nelson-bn-royal-naval-div-kia-arras-1917-ww1-medal-pair-scots-guards","provider":"AJMS Medals","version":"1.0","type":"link"}