From the News

Dated: February 1, 1919

The Officer Commanding a Battalion takes upon his shoulders a great responsibility. If he is a conscientious officer he assumes a tremendous responsibility.

The degree of efficiency of the whole battalion depends upon him almost absolutely, no matter how well selected and skilful the officers under him may be. If at any time he relaxes in any respect his discipline, close attention and thoroughness this is at once reflected throughout his command.

Some battalions are poor, some fair, others excellent and still others full of snap and ginger, disciplined to the minute and ready at all times for any thing,-first-class in every respect. I had the honor to serve for twenty-three months with one of this latter type.

Lt-Col. J. A. Clark was our Battalion Commander and when we were mobilized he was twenty-nine years of age, and when ready to sail for England he was thirty years old, but looked forty.

Col. Clark is a typical Scotch Canadian, tall, lean, large boned; deep set blue eyes, well apart; a very strong and prominent lower jaw large mouth, which closed grimly, and a ruddy and healthy complexion. He is a tireless worker and extremely thorough to the smallest detail, a stern disciplinarian and a bit hot tempered. He is very ambitious and a man with high ideals, never being satisfied with anything that is not the very best in his officers and men and he rooted out incompetence wherever found.

Col. Clark was determined to have a Battalion, in all respects efficient and with this end in view was unremitting and tireless and everyone had to jump and deliver the very best that they had, every day and all day long. Nothing was over-looked, nothing tolerated that was not up to standard and his efforts soon bore fruit. Today Col. Clark is absolutely loved by every officer and man who has served under him in France and in this chapter I will try and tell you why.

When we arrived in England the 4th Canadian Division had its full complement of battalions, but we were given a place and another unit, not so efficient, stepped down and out. While in England we made a record on the rifle ranges, which defeated over 3,000,000 troops and that was where we were efficient again.

It was on the Somme, however, that our Commanding Officer's larger abilities got more scope and where he gained the admiration of everyone under his command.

After the 4th Division had taken Regina Trench, the 72nd Battalion was sent up to hold it. This was not a nice job, for you must know that the Hun had the exact range on this trench, and could shell it with great precision. This he promptly proceeded to do, smashing it pretty well to pieces. The 72nd, however, was not in the trench, but had dug in 20 yds. behind it, and our casualties that night were only 26.

A little later on our division took Desire trench. Again the 72nd was sent to hold, and on this occasion our boys were ordered to dig in 300 yds. ahead of the trench and that much nearer to the Hun. Our men dug 500 yds. of trench that night after dark and before day- light in the morning. The enemy absolutely obliterated Desire Trench with his artillery and our casualties were nil.

It is this sort of headwork that appeals to the men and makes them feel that no matter how dangerous a piece of work they are given to do, if they have a commander who has won their confidence they will do it confidently and fearlessly.

At the battle of Vimy Ridge, Col. Clark had another opportunity to use his discretion and promptly seized it.

At the time of the battle our battalion was only at half strength, but the Col. decided that he could do what he had to do with very few officers and men, and had the courage to act according to his convictions. Instead of sending over 21 officers, 14 only went across and 249 other ranks. Two hundred and fifty officers and men were kept snugly under cover during the action and at least two hundred casualties averted. Our final objectives were taken absolutely by the handful of men who were in the assault.

Col. Clark's tireless energy and extreme thoroughness are great assets to the battalion. When taking over a new front he is absolutely familiar with every detail of that front a few hours after taking possession of it. Every trench, every sap, every point of vantage is completely in his grasp and the situation on the enemy's side is seized with a comprehension that is marvelous.

He is quite fearless and romps about all over the place in a most casual way at all hours. Every day he makes a complete round of the line at least twice and has had some narrow escapes. Tie worries the men some- times by the apparent carelessness for his own safety.

In February, 1916, our Imperial Government decided to send a British Mission to Italy and this was composed of 12 members. Its object was of a semi-political, semi-military nature. All officers, most of them of high rank, were selected from the Imperial Army, and Sir Julian Byng, our Canadian corps commander at that time, was asked to provide a representative from his command. He named Col. Clark, and I might say that our Col. was the only overseas officer who accompanied this party to Italy.

These officers visited the Italian front, inspected the navy and were shown pretty much everything that was going on in Italy. They were splendidly received by the Italian people, overwhelmed with hospitality and dined by His Majesty the King of Italy.

We all felt that our battalion had been greatly honored by this selection and, if possible, were more proud of our commanding officer than ever.

Col. Clark was awarded the D.S.O. for his brilliant work on the Somme and the honor duplicated for his part in the battle.

Soon after this Lt. Col. Clark was given command of the 7th Brigade, the crack brigade of the Canadian Army Corps, with the rank of Brigadier General. His command consisted of the Princess Patricia Canadian Light Infantry, the Black Watch of Montreal, the Royal Canadian Rifles, and the 49th.