The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

Adam Brown · Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2008 9:23 pm Post subject: Sgt J A Wark, DCM, Glasgow

I've just watched the last episode of 'My Family at War'. A very emotional journey for both Rolf Harris and Kirsty Wark.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00fkggq

Kirsty's great uncle was from Jordanhill in Glasgow and died of Spanish Flu just two weeks after the Armistice and a day before he was supposed to go back to the UK.

Is he in the Glasgow Roll of Honour? Do we know if he is commemorated elsewhere?

WARK, JAMES ALLAN
Rank: Serjeant
Regiment/Service: Machine Gun Corps (Infantry)
Unit Text: 47th Bn.
Age: 24
Date of Death: 29/11/1918
Service No: 22355
Awards: D C M
Additional information: Son of William Baillie Wark and Annie Wark, of 14, York Avenue, Jordanhill, Glasgow.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: E. 4.
Cemetery: ASCQ COMMUNAL CEMETERY

Rolf's Uncle Carl was a Welshman serving in an Australian unit and is outside the scope of this forum but I'll post his details here out of interest

HARRIS, CARL FRANCIS
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Australian Infantry, A.I.F.
Unit Text: 48th Bn.
Age: 19
Date of Death: 08/08/1918
Service No: 6524
Additional information: Son of George Fredrick and Rosetta Elizabeth Harris, of "Thanet," Bell St., Maroubra, Sydney, New South Wales. Native of Cardiff, Glam.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: V. B. 15.
Cemetery: VIGNACOURT BRITISH CEMETERY

spoons · Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2008 9:29 pm Post subject:

James Wark is not listed on the Glasgow Evening Times Roll of Honour

\Paul

Adam Brown · Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2008 9:33 pm Post subject:

He died just after the Armistice so he may well have not met the criteria for inclusion on some rolls or memorials

He seemed to be from a well to do family and he was religeous so I would be surprised if he isn't on a church memorial in Glasgow.

Adam

apanderson · Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2008 9:45 pm Post subject:

I think the closest cemeteries would be Western Necropolis, Lambhill or St. Kentigerns.

I haven't found him in any of them, but unless the inscription had war/military info on it, I wouldn't have included it.

Anne

David McNay · Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2008 12:25 am Post subject:

City of Glasgow Roll of Honour has James A Wark, Sergeant, HLI. Address 14 York Avenue, Jordanhill.

I checked the DCM citations for the HLI and he's not in there, so presumably he'll be on the list for the Machine Gun Corps.

apanderson · Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2008 11:15 am Post subject:

I don't know the churches in Jordanhill - Cottiers Theatre was originally a church.

From Google:

Jordanhill Parish Church, 28 Woodend Drive G13 1QT
All Saints Church, also Woodend Drive.

Anne

DerekR · Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2008 12:09 pm Post subject:

If, like me, you were left in tears at the end of Rolf's piece, he has re-released Two Little Boys, all proceeds going to the Poppy Appeal. Well done Rolf.

http://www.itv.com/News/Articles/Rolf-rereleases-Two-Little-Boys-137873392.html
_________________

Time but th' impression stronger makes, As streams their channels deeper wear.

spoons · Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2008 1:25 pm Post subject:

Here is his MIC.

\Paul

kinnethmont · Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 1649 Location: Aberdeenshire

The MIC confirms he received the award as a member of the M.G.C.

22355 Sjt. J. A. Wark, 47th Bn., M.G.C,
(Glasgow).
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during an attack north of Bray-sur-Somme on the 22nd August, 1918. He turned back in the middle of an intense enemy artillery barrage shortly after zero hour and took a gun from a wounded No. 1 and carried it himself to the objective. Under heavy machine-gun and rifle fire he made repeated reconnaissances during the later stages of the attack, each time returning himself to bring up the guns. His unfailing cheerfulness and outstanding courage were the admiration of all ranks throughout the operation.
_________________
Jim

If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

www.kinnethmont.co.uk

spoons · Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2008 2:38 pm Post subject:

do you think someone should try and contact Kirsty Wark in case she is interested in all this?

\Paul

kinnethmont · Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 1649 Location: Aberdeenshire

I would be fairly sure " pal " Paul Reed will have provided her the info of the MIC and DCM Citation, etc. The family may well have the medals although she did not relate she had them.
_________________
Jim

If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

www.kinnethmont.co.uk