Private Frank William Clarke

Born on 25 August 1898 in Toronto, Ontario - son of John Walter and Charlotte Clarke, Toronto, Ontario - enlistment records provide the following: present address same as parents, trade as teamster, single, no current or previous military service, Church of England, height of 5 feet 5 inches, chest of 35 inches fully expanded, fair complexion, gray eyes, light brown hair.

Joined the 126th Battalion, CEF, in Toronto, Ontario, on 14 March 1916 (number 775976) - taken on the strength of the 38th Battalion, CEF, on 4 or 6 December 1916 - declared missing in action on 9 April 1917 - name listed on the Vimy Memorial, France.

(Updated with a photo of Pte Clarke's inscription on the Vimy Memorial that I took in August 2012).

(sources: Library and Archives Canada (www.collectionscanada.gc.ca), online attestation papers; Canadian War Museum, 19740281-001, Manu 58F 2 3, 207th Canadian Infantry Battalion and 38th Canadian Infantry Battalion, Nominal Roll; The Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa Regimental Museum, A400-0007, Master Personnel List for the 38th Canadian Infantry Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force; Commonwealth War Graves Commission, "Debt of Honour" register, www.cwgc.org)