Lance Corporal Ronald S Clarke

Ronald joined  the 2 Battalionn, The Ox & Bucks Light Infantry, which was part of the 6th Airlanding Brigade, as a reinforcement, after their losses in Normandy, in October 1944.

He took part in the operation in Belgium and Holland in December 1944 through to February 1945.He was killed in action on the 24 March 1945, aged 23, during  the assault across the Rhine – Operation ‘Varsity’.

Husband of Winifred Elizabeth Clarke, of Orford, Warrington, Lancashire.

He now lies at rest in the Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, 35. C. 7.

Extract taken from the Evesham Journal dated Saturday, 21st April 1945.

IRONS CROSS MAN KILLED.

News has been received by Mrs. M. Clarke, Ivy Cottage, Irons Cross, that her grandson, L/Cpl. Ronald Stephen Clarke, has been killed in action. he leaves a wife and baby daughter aged 10 weeks.

L/Cpl. Clarke, son of the late Mr. and Mrs. A. Clarke, was 23 years of age. Before joining H.M. Forces he was employed by Messrs. Bomford Bros, Pitchill, and was a member of the Home Guard. He volunteered for H.M. Forces in 1941 and served in The Worcestershire Regiment until about six months ago, when he was transferred to the Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry and attached to the 6th Airborne Division.

L/Cpl. Clarke has two brothers and a sister serving in the Forces. Geoffrey, in the R.A.S.C., is 26 years of age, ad joined H.M. Forces in 1937. He went to Hong Kong in 1938 and is now a prisoner-of-war in Japanese hands. His sister, Frances Rosa, is 21 years of age, and joined the W.R.N.S. in 1943. She is at present home on compassionate leave. John is in the Pioneer Corps and is 19 years of age. Sincere sympathy is extended to his wife and members of his family in the loss they have sustained.