Current Information:

162, Lambeth Road, Lambeth

Railway Chateau Cemetery, Belgium

First Battle of Ypres

Between 21st October and 22nd November, 1914 a desperate fight took place around the Belgium city of Ypres, the first of three major battles that were to be fought there during the course of the war. British troops entered Ypres in October. The 1st and 2nd Divisions plus the 3rd Cavalry Division had made their way up from the Aisne as part of the “Race to the Sea”, whilst the 7th Division came west to Ypres after Antwerp had fallen. The Germans knew that Ypres was the gateway to the Channel ports and that these were vital to Britain’s war effort so they poured reinforcements into the area. The fighting fell into three distinct battles; the Battle of Langemarck, 21-24 October, the Battle of Gheluvelt, 29-31 October and the Battle of Nonne Bosschen, 11 November. Ypres did not fall to the Germans but its defence during these two months resulted in the destruction of much of the old regular British Army.

After their involvement in the heavy fighting at Gheluvelt on 31^st October, the 2nd King’s Royal Rifle Corps battalion of 2 Brigade, 1st Division were moved back closer to Ypres and into reserve positions. On 6th November they were part of a force that was sent to reinforce around Zillebeke and Zandvoorde where gaps had been opened up in the British line. Fog and road blocks delayed their progress and it was not until 6pm and dark before an attack was launched by the 2nd King’s Royal Rifle Corps and 1st Gloucestershire, against Zwarteleen.  Their attack was broken up by heavy machine-gun fire and they fell back. On 8th November they were relieved by French troops. George Clarke died from wounds on 11th November but it is not known on which date he was wounded.