 | Sgt Clark was a Wireless Operator/Air Gunner, onboard Flying Fortress FA698, when it crash landed on approach to base. Sgt Clark was awarded the George Medal for his bravery. view details Update Feb 2020: Graham Moore has kindly submitted the following PDF (downloadable here - 1.4mb). "A narrative of the last flight of Boeing B-17 Fortress, FA.698, which crashed at Luscott Barton, near Braunton on 26 March 1943, killing three air crew. Copyright ©www.BritishMilitaryHistory.co.uk (2019)." Fantastic work by the group. Thank you Graham! |
George Medal: "One night in March 1943, Sergeant CLARK was the wireless operator/air gunner in a
Fortress aircraft which crashed and caught fire on the top of a hill, in conditions of poor
visibility. Sergeant CLARK and three other members of the crew escaped with minor
injuries, and Sergeant CLARK realised that three further members of the crew were in the
wreckage. Despite the blazing petrol tanks, and the presence of explosives which he knew
were in the aircraft, he immediately re-entered the fuselage, and with the assistance of
Leading Aircraftman FRENCH, who had arrived at the scene after having seen the flames
from his bedroom, dragged the three airmen from the wreckage. Sometime afterwards, an
explosion occurred, shattering the aircraft and breaking glass a quarter of a mile away." (London Gazette of 27 July 1943).
If you have any information about Sgt Clark, please contact me, thank you.