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360119   2nd Lieutenant Neil Blake Clark
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Dated added: 01/01/2016   Last updated: 28/03/2020
Personal Details
Regiment/Service: Irish Guards (British Army)
Date Of Birth: 06/10/1926
Died: 17/01/1946 (Died by accident)
Age: 19
Summary      
Neil Blake Clark was the younger son of William Moore Wallis and Zelie Marguerite Clark. He was born 6th October 1926, the younger of two sons. The family lived at Gorteade House, Upperlands. After Shrewsbury School, Neil Blake Clark joined the Irish Guards. He gained the rank of 2nd Lieutenant in the Irish Guards on 30th November 1945. 2nd Lieutenant Neil Blake Clark died on 17th January 1946. He was killed in a training accident whilst on duty at Lingfield, Surrey.
Further Information
Neil Blake Clark was the younger son of William Moore Wallis and Zelie Marguerite Clark. William Moore Wallis Clark and Zelie Marguerite Lopdell were married on 25th August 1920.
Neil Blake Clark was born 6th October 1926, presumably in Upperlands. He was the younger of two children, both sons.
William Moore Wallis Clark held the office of Justice of the Peace (J.P.) for County Derry in 1936. He held the office of High Sheriff of County Derry in 1938. He held the office of Member of the Senate [Northern Ireland] between 1946 and 1961. He held the office of Leader of the Senate [Northern Ireland] between 1948 and 1961. He held the office of Deputy Lieutenant (D.L.) of County Derry in 1952. He was a director of William Clark & Sons Ltd.
Family: William Moore Wallis Clark, Zelie Marguerite Clark, William John Moore Clark (born 18th November 1924), Neil Blake Clark (born 6th October 1926).
The family lived at Gorteade House, Upperlands, County Londonderry.
Neil Clark was educated at Shrewsbury School in England, like his father.
Neil Blake Clark joined the Irish Guards.
He gained the rank of 2nd Lieutenant in the Irish Guards on 30th November 1945.
2nd Lieutenant Neil Blake Clark died on 17th January 1946. He was killed in a training accident whilst on duty at Lingfield, Surrey. His gravestone says he ‘Gave his life for another’.
From the Times dated 22nd January 1946: On Active Service
CLARK – On 17th January 1946 at Lingfield, Surrey, result of an accident while on duty, Neil Blake Clark, Irish Guards, dearly beloved younger son of Mr and Mrs Willie M Clark, Upperlands, Co Derry.
From the Irish Times dated Saturday 2nd February 1946:
CLARK – 17th January 1946 at Lingfield, Surrey, result of an accident while on duty, Neil Blake Clark, Irish Guards, dearly loved younger son of Mr and Mrs Willie M Clark, Upperlands, Co Derry.
2nd Lieutenant Neil Blake Clark’s remains were brought home and he is buried in Maghera Church Of Ireland Churchyard.
The CWGC record 2nd Lieutenant Neil Blake Clark as the son of William Moore Wallis Clark and of Zelie Marguerite Clark (nee Lopdell) of Upperlands.
Read more
Relevant Magherafelt Area Locations
No Location Region Location Notes Longtitude Latitude
1 Maghera Church of Ireland Maghera Buried in Maghera Church of Ireland 54.842877 -6.66881
References and Links
No Link Reference Map Doc
1 Bann Valley Genealogy Maghera CoI Graveyard Inscriptions - Gave his life for another
2 Forum discussion (WW2 Talk) Details of 2nd Lieut Neil Blake Clark
3 The London Gazette Details of 2nd Lieut Neil Blake Clark
4 The Peerage - Clark family Details including dates and family
5 War Graves Photographic Project Photo of 2nd Lieut Neil Blake Clark's grave can be purchased here
6 WW2 Talk Newspaper reports of death
Magherafelt District's War Dead Acknowledgements 2014-2023