Captain (Chaplain) Wilmot Gercon Clarke was born in Brighton, Ontario, on April 8, 1866. A Methodist clergyman prior to the war, Clarke lived in Bowmanville, Ont., with his wife Lois and their two teenage daughters, Nora and Doratha.

Clarke enlisted on May 29, 1916, at Bowmanville, Ont., and was appointed to commissioned rank as a Captain, with the 235th Battalion, Chaplain Services. Shipping for England on board the SS Metagama in May of 1917, he served in England and France. Following his return to Canada in 1919, Clarke was demobilized on December 26.

Content notes:
The collection contains a letter of condolence that was written by Clarke following the death at sea of Pte. David Wesley Kerr during the voyage to England aboard the SS Metagama.

External links:
Capt. Wilmot Clarke’s service record (Serv/Reg# not assigned) can be viewed/downloaded in pdf format through Library and Archives Canada.
Pte. David Kerr’s service record (Serv/Reg# 853573), can be viewed/downloaded in pdf format through Library and Archives Canada.