Clark, Marcus Broadfoot (1890 - 1917)

Lieutenant, 8th Bn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

Buried at Hooge Crater Cemetery

Commemorated at Hillhead High School

Marcus Broadfoot Clark was the youngest son of Mr and Mrs Allan Clark, Violet Villa, Cathcart, and late of Severn Villa, Innellan. A native of Dennistoun, Glasgow, he attended Hillhead High School from 1901 to 1905, and Glasgow High School from 1905 to 1911.

On leaving School he entered Glasgow University as a student of medicine. Both at Hillhead and Glasgow High School he was an enthusiastic member of the Cadet Corps, and soon after entering the University he joined the OTC.

Though he might have sheltered behind his medical studies, now well advanced, he put his country's needs before all personal considerations, and by the close of 1914 he was gazetted 2nd Lieutenant in the 11th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, but was later transferred to the 1st, one of the most famous units of the old Army.

He was present with them at the Battle of Loos when they penetrated far into enemy lines, but had to withdraw through the lack of support. Invalided home, he acted for some time as Adjutant to the 16th and 17th Cameronians at Hamilton.

On proceeding again to France he was attached to the 2nd Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, and it was while with them in command of a company in an attack on Polygon Wood that he was killed on 25th September 1917. Captain Clark's company held their position for two days, though suurounded by the enemy, and received the special thanks of Sir Douglas Haig for their gallantry and tenacity. Captain Clark was not only a gallant soldier, but looked the part, and was just the one to lead a forlorn hope or hold to the death a vital position.

Reproduced with permission from the University of Glasgow Roll of Honour: http://www.universitystory.gla.ac.uk/ww1-intro/