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Philip Clark - Information

Philip was born in Camden in 1881 to Philip and Eliza Clark. When the war began, the Clarks were living in Glenmore where Philip eventually found work as a labourer. Deciding to join the colours, he enlisted in the AIF at Menangle Park on the 19th of July 1916. During training, Philip was designated to the 1st Light Horse Regiment, before becoming a Private with the 11th Reinforcements, 29th Battalion in November. Philip was sent abroad on the HMAT Afric, which departed Sydney Harbour on the 3rd of November 1916.

Philip disembarked in Plymouth, and was taken to the 8th Training Battalion. On the 15th of March, he left Folkestone for France, joining his unit in the field. He and his unit then participated in operations during the Third Battle of Ypres, fighting at Polygon Wood in September. After Ypres, then men were exhausted and granted a reprieve from the fighting. For four days in June 1918, Philip was detached for duty with the area commandant. Having halted the German Spring Offensive earlier in the year, the Australian Corps were nibbling at the Germans from May. This resulted in many skirmishes including Morlancourt in June. In mid October, he was transferred to the 32nd Battalion. Philip survived the war, and in early March 1919, he was stationed to No. 3 Camp AIF, attached to the Australian Base Reception Camp. He later returned to Australia onboard the HMAT Ulysses in late July. He was discharged from military service in mid November. He then returned to his family in Glenmore.