James Clarke VC was born in the area in which Muir was founded in 1968
LANCASHIRE Fusilier, James Clarke, distinguished himself in battle during the final days of hostilities in the First World War.
Serving with the regiment’s 15th Battalion, Clarke had been working as a labourer having left school at 14, before enlisting in October 1915.
Born in Winsford, the town lies in the Cheshire West and Chester boundary in which Muir has operated extensively since being founded in 1968, and where its head office lies.
Aged 24, Clarke was serving in France as an acting company sergeant major when he performed the deeds resulting in his Victoria Cross.
His citation in the London Gazette of 6th January, 1919, read: “For most conspicuous bravery and initiative during the attack at Happegarbes on 2 November 1918, when in command of a platoon, he led his men forward with great determination, and, on being held up by heavy machine-gun fire, rushed forward through a thick, strongly held ridge, captured in succession four machine guns, and single-handed bayonetted the crews.
“Later, he led the remnants of his platoon to the capture of three machine guns and many prisoners. In the later stages of the attack on the same day, when his platoon was held up by enemy machine guns, he successfully led a Tank against them over very exposed ground.
“Continuing the attack on 3rd November, after capturing many prisoners and gaining his objective, he organised his line most skilfully and held up the enemy. On 4th November, in the attack on the Oise-Sambre Canal, under heavy fire from the Canal bank, he rushed forward with a Lewis gun team in the face of an intense barrage, brought the gun into action, effectively silenced the enemy's fire, thus enabling his company to advance and gain their objectives.
“Throughout the whole of these operations Sgt. Clarke acted with magnificent bravery and total disregard of personal safety, and by his gallantry and high sense of duty set an inspiring example to all ranks.”
James Clarke VC died in 1957, aged 53.
Buried at Rochdale Cemetery, his VC is displayed in the Lord Ashcroft Gallery at London’s Imperial War Museum.
Muir’s Fusilier Court sheltered housing scheme in Bury also occupies the site of the former Wellington Barracks, which once served at the home of the Lancashire Fusiliers.
The distinguished military history of the regiment was recognised by Muir Group Housing Association in 2014 when scheme residents unveiled a memorial (below) to the Lancashire Fusiliers within its grounds.
(The picture of James Clarke VC is used with the kind permission of The Imperial War Museum. That of his grave is used with the kind permission of www.victoriacross.org.uk)
