A WW1 British Medal Duo Pte Fred Clark 12th Rifle Brigade taken PoW At St Quentin, from Kettering.
Supplied with research materials
Private Fred Clark (S-29869)
Fred was born in 1894 in Kettering. It is unclear when he enlisted, but when he did he joined the 12th battalion of the Rifle Brigade, with service number S-29869. It is again unclear when Fred entered active service, its probable it included some action in 1917 however, in this period the battalion took part in the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the battle of Langemarck, the battle of Menin Road Ridge, the battle of Polygon Wood and the Cambrai Operations. On the 21st March 1918, the battalion advanced to Fluquieres under heavy fire, where they stood at battle ready stations, preparing for the start of the battle of St Quentin (The start of the German Spring Offensive). At 3:50PM on the 22nd of March, the Germans launched their attack, breaking the battalions flanks and forcing them to withdraw first to Aubigny then Mill Wood and then along St Quentin Road eventually taking up a position on the banks of St Quentin canal. At some point in this chaotic withdrawal, Fred was left behind and captured in Roupy and being sent to Cassel prisoner of war camp. He was reported missing back at home before being confirmed as a POW in September 1918. He was released from captivity in January 1919
