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A veteran interview with

John Clarke

John Clarke gives a brutal and compelling account of his experiences as an infantryman with The Black Watch during the Second World War.

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Discover 31 key interview topics and talking points
00:13
The Black Watch
01:45
Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
02:46
King David Hotel
04:41
Christmas
06:25
Tunisia
07:13
Hermann Göring Regiment
07:37
North Africa
08:06
Sidi Medienne
12:39
Emilia-Romagna
15:33
Korba
20:04
Egypt
21:00
Cairo
27:39
Naples
28:20
Cassino
29:27
Aurunci
44:26
Salvation Army
48:41
Chemical
52:38
Canada
54:52
Rapido
58:42
Nebelwerfers
59:39
Quakers
62:23
Bonham
65:56
Coriano Ridge
70:41
Monte Scalari
74:11
Forli
76:01
ELAS
77:14
Winston Churchill
79:32
Anthony Eden
80:50
UNRA
84:07
VE Day
88:18
Jerusalem

About John Clarke

Born in Manchester and raised in foster care, John Clarke became an apprentice at sixteen before joining The Black Watch, following in his grandfather’s footsteps. After training in Scotland as part of the 6th Battalion, he was deployed to Tunisia, where he fought at Sidi Medienne and helped rescue wounded prisoners from an enemy ship—a highlight of his service.

He later trained in Cairo, before being stationed high up the Aurunci Mountains in Italy with the British division in the American 5th Army. John joined the 12th Brigade in Cassino and remembers the chaos around Monte Cassino monastery, the heavy casualties, and the many acts of bravery.

Post-war, he joined the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, managing the armoury in Gaza. John reflects on his military career, recalling memorable moments including meeting Winston Churchill. For John, the friends he made during the war became the family he never had growing up.

Credits

Interviewed by:
Martin Bisiker
Reviewed by:
Vicky Barnes

Transcripts:
Please note that transcripts and closed captions in the video player are automatically generated by Vimeo.

Copyright:
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Home | Veterans | John Clarke

A veteran interview with

John Clarke

JohnClarke-e1588418022895

John Clarke gives a brutal and compelling account of his experiences as an infantryman with The Black Watch during the Second World War.

Related topics & talking points

Anthony Eden Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Aurunci Bonham Cairo Canada Cassino Chemical Christmas Coriano Ridge Egypt ELAS Emilia-Romagna Forli Greek Civil War Hermann Göring Regiment Jerusalem King David Hotel Korba Monte Scalari Naples Nebelwerfers Norman Dodds North Africa Piraeus Quakers Rapido Salvation Army Sidi Medienne The Black Watch Tunisia UNRA VE Day Winston Churchill

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Cite this interview:

MLA Style:
Clarke, John. A Veteran Interview with John Clarke. Interview by Martin Bisiker. Legasee, 8 Oct. 2012 https://www.legasee.org.uk/veteran/john-clarke/. Accessed 22 Apr. 2026.
APA Style:
Clarke, J. (2012, October 8). A Veteran Interview with John Clarke [Interview by Martin Bisiker]. Legasee. Retrieved April 22, 2026, from https://www.legasee.org.uk/veteran/john-clarke/
Chicago Style:
Clarke, John. 2012. A Veteran Interview with John Clarke. Interview by Martin Bisiker. Legasee, October 8. Accessed April 22, 2026. https://www.legasee.org.uk/veteran/john-clarke/
Harvard Style:
Clarke, J. (2012). A Veteran Interview with John Clarke. [Interviewed by Martin Bisiker]. Legasee, 8 October. Available at https://www.legasee.org.uk/veteran/john-clarke/ (Accessed: 22 April 2026)
Vancouver Style:
Clarke, J. A Veteran Interview with John Clarke [Internet]. Interview by M. Bisiker. Legasee; 2012 Oct 8 [cited 2026 Apr 22]. Available from: https://www.legasee.org.uk/veteran/john-clarke/
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