Corporal Leo Clarke Plaque

LIONEL BEAUMAURICE (LEO) CLARKE, V.C.
1892 - 1916

Born near Waterdown, Ontario, Leo Clarke moved to Winnipeg
in 1903. He enlisted with the 27th Battalion, C.E.F. in
February 1915 and transferred to the 2nd Canadian Battalion
later that year. On September 9, 1916, on the Somme battle-
front, though wounded, Corporal Clarke single-handedly defended
a recently-won trench. Using a revolver and two captured
rifles he repulsed an attack by two enemy officers and about
twenty others, thus helping to secure the Canadian position.
For his courageous action he received the British Empire's
highest award for valour, the Victoria Cross. Before his
award was announced, however, Corporal Clarke was killed in
battle on October 19, 1916, and is buried near Le Havre, France.

Erected by the Archaeological and Historic Sites Board,
Department of Public Records and Archives of Ontario