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Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Wendell James Clark

In memory of:

Regimental Sergeant Major (WO.I) Wendell James Clark

June 6, 1944

Military Service


Service Number:

P/15392

Age:

29

Force:

Army

Unit:

1st Canadian Parachute Battalion, R.C.I.C.

Additional Information


Born:

February 19, 1915
Ottawa, Ontario

Enlistment:

September 6, 1939
Halifax, Nova Scotia

Son of Thomas C. and Irene M. Clark, of Ottawa, Ontario.

Commemorated on Page 274 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance. Request a copy of this page. Download high resolution copy of this page.

Burial Information


Cemetery:

RANVILLE WAR CEMETERY
Calvados, France

Grave Reference:

VA. F. 2.

Location:

Ranville is best reached by taking the D513 north-eastwards out of Caen, and after about 9 kilometres turning left at Herouvillette. Go north for one kilometre and then turn left into Ranville village. The War Cemetery is on Rue des Airbornes.

Information courtesy of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Digital Collection

Send us your images

  • Newspaper Clipping– Remembered on the pages of the Ottawa Journal. Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me
  • Photo of WENDELL JAMES CLARK– Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me
  • Photo of WENDELL JAMES CLARK– Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me
  • Photo of WENDELL JAMES CLARK– Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me
  • Photo of WENDELL JAMES CLARK– Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me
  • Photo of WENDELL JAMES CLARK– Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me
  • Photo of WENDELL JAMES CLARK– Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me
  • Photo of WENDELL JAMES CLARK– Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me
  • Photo of WENDELL JAMES CLARK– Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me
  • Photo of WENDELL JAMES CLARK– Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me
  • Letter– Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me
  • Other– Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me
  • Other– Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me
  • Other– Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me
  • Other– Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me
  • Other– Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me
  • Other– Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me
  • Grave marker– Tombstone P15392 Regimental Sergeant-Major Warrant Officer Class I W.J. Clark in Ranville, France
  • Newspaper clipping– From the Toronto Star July 1944. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Photo of Wendell James Clark– This photo of RSM Clark was obtained from "Out of the Clouds", the history of 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion in WW II.
  • Photo of Wendell Clark– Submitted by Operation Picture Me
  • Photo of Wendell James Clark– Wendell James Clark was 29 years of age when he was killed in action. For his military service he earned: The 1939-45 Star; The France-Germany Star; The Defence Medal; The War Medal and The Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Clasp. His total time on Active Service was 1,732 days, of which 410 were spent in Canada and 1,322 were spent overseas.

The once torn and sodden fields separating the River Orne and the River Dives are dry and tranquil. And for those who fought and died there the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion's murderous D-Day drop zone is now hallowed ground. RSM Clark's life as a professional soldier was one of unsung valour and sacrifice, of fidelity to his battalion, and to honour, of risk and danger in a grand cause. His life and death reassures future generations that they too, if put to the test, might have the right stuff. Now only Regimental Sergeant Major Wendell James (Knobby) Clark's timeless legacy remains - it is his outstanding personal example to all those who may aspire to lead Canadian fighting men. He was a most extraordinary Canadian paratrooper.

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