Canada, CEF. A First War Pair to Lance Corporal L. Clarke, 44th Infantry Battalion

A presentation mounted pair comprising: 

A British War Medal, silver, full size, rim impressed 622066 L. CPL. L. CLARKE. 44-CAN. INF., replacement ribbon, minor wear, bright, extremely fine. 

A Victory Medal, bronze gilt, full size, rim impressed 622066 L. CPL. L. CLARKE. 44-CAN. INF., replacement ribbon, light gilt wear, very fine. 

Accompanied by two first war dog tags, one in leather, marked CLARKE L. R.C 622066, and one in metal, marked 622066 L. CLARKE. 44 BATT. INF. CANADIANS R.C, both connected by a thick string, very fine. 

Footnote: Luke Clarke was born in Sligo County, Ireland, in 1875. Prior to the war, he served with the Connaught Rangers for eight years and two months. He enlisted with the 44th Battalion in Winnipeg on January 1, 1915. He was appointed Lance Corporal in December 1915. He embarked for France in August 1916. In October 1917, Clarke was awarded a Good Conduct Badge. 

Clarke was officially discharged and demobilized in April 1920, at the age of 45. 

The 44th Battalion (Manitoba), Canadian Infantry was part of the Canadian Expeditionary Force in World War I. Authorized in 1914, it trained in Britain before arriving in France in August 1916, joining the 10th Infantry Brigade of the 4th Canadian Division. The battalion fought in major battles including the Somme, Vimy Ridge, Passchendaele, Amiens, and the Hindenburg Line. It gained a strong reputation for bravery but suffered heavy casualties. After the war, the battalion returned to Canada and was officially disbanded in 1920.