Second Lieutenant Charles Warwick Clark
Charles Warwick Clark was born on 8 September 1893 at Ballynoe, Donegore, County Antrim, the fourth of five children of farmer Samuel Clark and his wife Eliza Jane (nee Warwick). Educated at High Street Antrim National School and the Belfast Mercantile College, by 1911 he was living with his parents and three brothers on the family farm.
Clark enlisted in the North Irish Horse at Antrim on 30 December 1914 (No.1388 – later Corps of Hussars No.71366).
In the first half of 1915 Clark embarked for England with F Squadron, where they awaited orders for France. On 12 July, however, he was one of about two dozen men of the squadron who volunteered for service as Military Mounted Police with the 54th (East Anglian) Division, which was under orders to join the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force. They sailed from Devonport on HMT Manitou on 29 July 1915, joining the landing at Suvla Bay between 10 and 16 August. In December Clark was evacuated to Mudros suffering from trench feet.
At the end of the year the Gallipoli campaign was abandoned and the North Irish Horse military policemen moved with the 54th Division to Egypt. Clark remained in Egypt until 25 April 1916, when he embarked for France. There he was posted to E Squadron of the North Irish Horse. He was promoted to lance corporal on 27 November 1916, corporal on 5 May 1917 and sergeant on 27 June 1917.
On 21 February 1918 Clark applied for a commission in the infantry, with a preference for the Royal Irish Fusiliers. A month later he returned to the UK and after a period of leave, on 10 May 1918 reported for duty at the No.7 Officer Cadet Battalion, Fermoy. Following training there, his education, military knowledge, command and leadership were assessed as being 'very fair'. "[He] should make a good officer."
On 30 October 1918 Clark was commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant and posted to the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers. He was demobilised on 18 September 1919 and relinquished his commission on 1 April 1920.