V.C. ORGAN GRINDER

Hokitika Guardian, 29 May 1933, Page 3

V.C. ORGAN GRINDER

ENDEAVOURING TO MAKE LIVING

“A LLOYD GEOROE HERO,” ... Weaving. a Y.C-, and other medals, a, man who gave the name of James Clarhe, was charged in a London court lately with alleged obstruction by playing a barrel organ in a street, Arthur Collins was charged wtvn Clarke,. but Clarke told the magistrate' that be took the full responsibility. “I am an ex-sergeant-major,” he- declared, “and holder of the.'V.C. I have a wife and three children at Foetid le. I have been out of worn ui.u have been trying to make an Honest living but I have not sent anything home lately. I owe L 3 on the organ and have -2£-cl in my pocket. I have had no breakfast, I am supposed to be one of Lloyd George’s heroes.” The magistrate discharged the men under the Probation Act. Ex-Sergeant-Major James Clarke is a native of Winsford, Cheshire, and won the V.C., while serving in the 15th 'Battalion Lancashire Fusilier s fo r most conspicuous bravery during the attack at Happegarde in November, 1918, whe, n in command of a pi. toon. On being held up by heavy machinegun lire lie -rushed forward through a thick strongly-held ridge, captured in succession four machine-guns, and, single-ha tided t bayoneted the crews. Two do .vs later, in the attack <\n the Oine-Sambre Canal, Clarke rushed forward with a Lewis gun team in ‘tbeface of an intense barrage, brought •the igivn into •e.ctloa, and effectively silenced the enemy’s fire.