Have You a Tiger In Your Family?

Rank : Sergeant

Army Number : 7422

Unit : 1st Bn, Depot

Biography :

Home town given as Leicester. Served with 1st Bn in World War One. Awarded the D.C.M. (L.G. 16.1.1915) while serving as a Private "for gallant conduct at Vailly on 23rd September [1914], in assisting to bring into cover a mortally wounded officer, under heavy shell and rifle fire." The book 'The History of the 1st and 2nd Battalions The Leicestershire Regiment in the Great War' describes the 1st Bn's operations at Vailly in late September, which was the very first time that the Battalion (indeed any battalion of the Regiment) had been in the front line. It is very likely that the mortally-wounded officer referred to in the citation was Captain R F Hawes who died of wounds on 23 September, the first officer of the Regiment to die during the War as a result of enemy action. Thus Clarkson's conduct that day was the first gallant action by a member of the Regiment in the First World War to be recognised by the award of a D.C.M. (in which the DCM was awarded 195 times to members of the Regiment). As a Sergeant he was awarded the M.M. at the end of the War for a fine all-round contribution. He was discharged 5.12.1925.

Press Obituary - April 1968

Tiger's War Hero And Sportsman Dies, Aged 83.

A Veteran of the Royal Leicestershire Regiment, who was awarded the DCM during the First World War rescuing an officer under fire, has died age 84.

Mr John Clarkson, 33, Kashmir Road, Leicester, joined the old regiment in 1902 and served with in many parts of the world until 1926.

He gained the DCM for rescuing an officer under heavy German fire in France. In the rescue he received a shrapnel wound to the face. For his service throughout the war he was awarded the Military Medal.

Hosiery Firm Lift Man

Before the war as a drill sergeant he saw action in the Sinn Fein rebellion in Ireland and he spent the last eight years of his army career in India.

A fine sportsman, he played football, cricket, hockey and atheletics. As a spin bowler he played regularly for his regiment against the Gentlemen of Leicestershire. He also represented his regiment at football.

At the end of his Army career he spent 17 years working for a hosiery firm as a lift-man. For eight years before his retirment he worked as a messenger for the Royal Army Ordnance Corps Records.

Mr Clarkson's wife died in 1940. He leaves two sons and five daughters.

Date of Birth : April 1884

Place of Birth : Leicester

Date of Death : Sept 1968

Place of Death : Leicester

Civil Occupation : Hosiery Firm Liftman; Messenger RAOC Records

Period of Service : 1902-25

Conflicts : WW1

Places Served : UK, France & Flanders