Royal Field Artillery, Service no. 775306
Story
Born in Leeds on the 4th February 1897, Albert Clark was living at 38 Oxley Street, Leeds in 1918, when he married Ida Green, a munitions worker at Barnbow, in Kippax. His father was Edward McNalon, a boatmaker, who was deceased when Albert married. On 25th January 1918, news of Albert’s award was reported in the Press:
Presentation to Kippax Military Medallist
On Saturday the Kippax Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Comforts Fund organised a concert, at which a gold watch was presented to Gunner A. Clark, M.M., of the R.F.A. Through the kindness of Cr. J.A. Rhodes, J.P., of Guiseley, a capital programme was presented before a very large audience. Capt. Infield, R.A.M.C., who has now returned to the village after two years of military service occupied the chair. He was supported by Mr. H.F. Smithson, Mr. J.A. Rhodes, and the Rev E.B. Smith and Gunner A. Clark. The artistes were Miss Bertha Armstrong (soprano), Miss May Langley (contralto), Mr. Wilfred Hudson (tenor), and Mr. Whiteley (base). Miss Armstrong sang ‘Before you came’ and ‘For you alone’. Mr. Hudson gave ‘My Sweetheart when a Boy’ and ‘A Perfect Day’. Miss Langley contributed ‘Beyond the Dawn’ and ‘If I can live’, and Mr. Whiteley was heard in ‘Friend of Mine’ and ‘Clothes Props’. The trio ‘O Memory’ and glee ‘Regular Royal Queen’, the duets ‘Watchman! What of the Night?’ and one from the Miserere scenes were also given. Mr. J.A. Rhodes was an efficient accompanist. Recitals were given by Miss Saunders of Castleford.
Mr. Smithson made the presentation to Gunner Clark, and expressed himself proud to perform that duty. Clark, he said, had won distinction for conspicuous bravery in stretcher bearing somewhere on the Somme in the Big Push on July 1 1916. He was proud of Clark, and hoped he would be spared to return to work at the colliery once more. He is the fourth Kippax man to gain the honour, and the second from the colliery (cheers). Dr. Infield spoke at some length on some of the work of the army, and appealed to all to make some sacrifice for the sake of their lads and stop grousing because they could not get all they wanted. Gunner Clark briefly replied and expressed his thanks to the Committee and residents for their kindness. A hearty vote of thanks to the Chairman Mr. Rhodes, Mr. Smithson and the artistes was moved by Mr. G. Knowles, seconded by Mr. D. Adams, and supported by Mr. G.P. Walker, after which the quartet party sang the hymn ‘Fight the Good Fight’ and the National Anthem closed the proceedings.
After the War, Albert, Ida and their 3 children moved back to Leeds. In 1939, they were living at 19 Glenthorpe Avenue, Leeds. Albert passed away in 1959, aged 62.
Kippax Roll of Honour 