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David Clark
b.31 Dec 1836 Chelmsford, Essex, England
d.22 Sep 1899 Mudgee, New South Wales, Australia
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m. 26 Jun 1810
Facts and Events
[edit] Personal HistoryDavid Clark, born on 31 Dec 1836 in Chelmsford, Essex, U.K, became a volunteer soldier for the West Essex Militia on 17 September 1852.[9] His regimental number was 107. He was released from his Militia position on 7 July 1854 to enlist in the Royal Artillery.[9] In total David spent just over 21 years with the Royal Artillery rising to the ranks of Quarter- Master Sergeant.[6] During his service he spent 7 years in Malta, during the Crimean War and almost 7 years in India.[7] His regimental number for the Royal Artillery was 36267.[6] David retired from the army with a pension and with the long service and good conduct medal on his breast. This is one of the most coveted distinctions conferred on non commissioned officers, and is an indisputable proof of irreproachable character. He married Catherine Walsh who was born in Ireland . Two children Julia and Emily, were born in England at Hampshire. Later the family moved to India with the regiment and here on 31 July 1870 at Mihow, Bombay, a third child, Laura was born. Some time before 1876 the family returned to England; David was discharged from the Army[8] and a fourth child, David was born in Essex where David Senior was born. On 11 August 1876 the family set out for Australia as assisted immigrants.[5] They departed from Plymouth on the “Ninevah” of 1174 tons with a total of 403 immigrants for a voyage of 91 days, arriving at Sydney on 10 November 1876. There were 8 deaths on the voyage and 3 children born. Immigration records shown that David was 39 with occupation given as Bricklayer, Catherine was 35, Julia 11, Emily 9, Laura 6 and David Junior an infant. The religion of all except Catherine, shown as Roman Catholic, was given as Church of England. George Wade the husband of Catherine's younger sister Mary paid the deposit for the immigration to Australia of the Clarke family. The fact that both George Wade and David Clarke were in the army and both married sisters from Guernsey suggests that the two knew each other during their army service. George Wade was a corporal in the Royal Artillery, based at No. 2 Battery, 6th Brigade, Royal Artillery, Portsmouth, England. Once settled in Mudgee, David became manager of E J Greenwood's store. Whilst there he received a serious injury to his hand, which incapacitated him for two years. David then became verger of St John's church, a position he held for 16 years. He then became secretary of the Starr Bowkett and the Federal Building Societies. David was also Tyler of the Masonic Lodge St. John-Edingburgh. David died on 22 Sept 1899 at Mudgee[1] from a liver complaint contracted during his army service in India. References
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