WW1 Distinguished Conduct Medal named 307350 CS MJR F CLARKE 1/7 W RID R.
Fred Clarke was from Sheffield and enlisted into the Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry numbered 10641 and landed in France with the 1st Battalion on 15th Jan 1915. He is noted back in the UK in hospital with frost bite as a L/Cpl on 13th Mar 1915 spending 20 days in hospital aged 26 1/2 years old.
It may have been then that he transferred to the 1/7th West Riding Regiment numbered 307350 rising to the rank of Regimental Sjt Major when he was awarded the DCM in the LG on 3rd Oct 1918: - For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. During severe enemy attacks he showed great coolness under heavy rifle and machine gun fire, encouraging his men and satisfying himself that every man was in the most advantageous position for firing. His fine example and disregard of personal danger contributed very largely towards keeping up the excellent morale of his company.