Canada, CEF. A First War Trio to the 20th Canadian Infantry Battalion

A First War Trio to the 20th Canadian Infantry Battalion - 1914-15 Star (57766 Sjt W. CLARKE. 20/CAN:INF:); British War Medal (57766 SJT. W.M. CLARKE. 20-CAN.INF.); and Victory Medal (57766 SJT. W.M. CLARKE. 20-CAN.INF.). Naming is officially impressed. Unmounted, cleaned, light contact, near extremely fine. Accompanied by a CD containing twenty pages with copies of his Index Cards, Attestation Paper, Service Records, Medical Records, Medical History of an Invalid, Discharge Certificates, Will and Department of Veterans Affairs Death Notification (dated August 20, 1965).  Footnote: William Morgan Clarke was born on October 31, 1889 in Swindon, Wiltshire, England. He signed his Attestation Paper with the 20th Infantry Battalion "1st Central Ontario Regiment" on November 12, 1914 in Toronto, Ontario, naming his next-of-kin as his sister, Mrs. E.W. Littlefield of Providence, Rhode Island, stating that he had seven years previous military service with the 2nd Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment, that he was not married and that his trade was that of Locomotive Fireman. His rank was declared "to be Sergeant" four days before he signed, on November 8th. The Battalion was raised in Central and Northern Ontario and mobilized in Toronto under the authority of G.O. 36, March 15, 1915. On May 15th, the Battalion sailed with a strength of 35 officers and 1,100 other ranks under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel J.A.W. Allen aboard the S.S. Megantic, arriving in England on May 24th. Five weeks later, he was confirmed as Sergeant on July 1, 1915. Two months later, he embarked for the French theatre, disembarking at Boulogne on September 14th. The following fall, he was admitted to No. 2 Field Ambulance on October 4, 1916 and diagnosed with "I.C.T. in the right leg" (inflammation of the connective tissue), and five days later, discharged to duty on the 9th. Clarke was granted permission to marry on February 11, 1918, later issued fourteen days leave (August 11 to 17, 1918) for the actual marriage and had his next-of-kin changed to his wife, Mrs. W. Clarke of Regent Park Road, London, N.W. Upon the ceasing of hostilities, he proceeded to England on April 5, 1919 and was taken on strength by "D" Wing at Witley from the 20th Battalion on the 6th. While being assessed at Witley, it was noted in his Medical History of an Invalid, dated April 11, 1919, that Clarke was suffering from defective hearing, with discharge from his right ear due to "service conditions". It was traced to an incident in France on March 19, 1916 and was officially diagnosed as Otitis Media (middle ear infection), that had developed into a "small hard swelling about 1" in front of the lobule of right ear. Subjectively - there is tenderness on palpitation of this tumor." It was determined to be a "Permanent" condition and his medical status was officially listed as "Category B" (able for service abroad, not for general service) and was recommended that he be "R.T.C." He also had formulated a handwritten Will stating "In the event of my death my property & effects are to be divided equally between, Sister Mrs. E.W. Littlefield, Providence, R.I., USA & Mrs. Clarke, Gloucester, Signed William M Clarke, Sergt. No 57766, July 23rd 1916" (under government file #141860). Fortunately, he had no need for it, as he was struck off strength of the Overseas Military Forces of Canada on May 13, 1919 and embarked Liverpool, England for Canada the next day aboard the S.S. Caronia. Clarke was discharged upon demobilization on May 24, 1919 at No. 2 District Depot in Toronto. He was credited with having served in Canada (November 7, 1914 to May 14, 1915), England (May 14, 1915 to September 14, 1915), France (September 14, 1915 to April 6, 1919) and again in England (April 6, 1919 to May 14, 1919), earning him the Trio and entitling him to wear the War Service Badge, Class "A", number 98283. He died on July 15, 1965, the place of death "not stated".