Muchty Remembers

Born: 12 May 1899. Dunshelt, Auchtermuchty, Fife.

Son of Andrew Clark, Dunshelt, and Helen Crawford, Kingskettle.

Army Number: TR/1/11366 and 22272. S/413306.

Rank: Private

Regiment: A Company, 6th Battalion Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders.

Died: Killed in action in France, 19 June 1918. Aged 19.

Buried: Buried at Duisans British Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France, Plot 6, Row G, Grave 27.

War Memorial. Church Plaque. Photograph. Dunshelt Memorial.

 

Matthew Clark was born 12 May 1899, Dunshelt, Auchtermuchty, son of Andrew Clark, 1862-1930, born Auchtermuchty, powerloom tenter, and Helen Crawford, 1862-1937, born Kingskettle.

In 1871 Andrew Clark was living in Dunshelt. His father, Alexander Clark, born 1823, was a boot maker, living with his wife Agnes, and five children, Helen Todd, a step daughter, Andrew, Euphemia, George and Peter.

In 1881 Alexander Clark was living at Dunshelt, a shoemaker, with his wife and four children, Helen Todd, a step daughter, Andrew, Euphemia and George.

In 1891 Alexander Clark was a shoemaker living at Croft Lane, Dunshelt, with his wife and step daughter Helen Todd, a mill worker, and sons Peter G and George M, both farm servants.

In 1901 Alexander Clark was living in Croft St, Dunshelt, a retired shoemaker, living with his wife, step daughter Helen Todd, a linen weaver, and son George, a railway porter.

Andrew Clark, a labourer, married Helen Crawford. In 1891 they were living at 25 High St, Dunshelt with three children, Alexander, Euphemia and John.

In 1901 Andrew Clark was a powerloom tenter, living in Dunshelt with his wife Helen Crawford and eight of nine surviving children, Alexander, John, Thomas, Peter, Euphemia, Matthew and George, b 1901.

In 1911 Andrew Clark, tenter in the linen factory, was living in Dunshelt in a three roomed house with his wife Helen, married 24 years, and five children Euphemia, 22, power loom weaver, Thomas, 15, clerk, Railway company, Peter, 13, Matthew, 11 and George 10 all at school. Sons Alexander, 25, John, 21, and Andrew, 19, were away from home.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Matthew Clark's brothers, Sergeant Andrew, Sapper Peter, Corporal Alick, Lance Corporal John and Lance Corporal Thomas all served in the Army during the war.

Matthew Clark was called up after his 18th birthday, 12 May 1917. He joined TR/1/13666 TR Battalion. 22272 Gordon Highlanders. He transferred to 6th Battalion Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders.

He died five weeks after his 19th birthday, on 19 June 1918.