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Border Regiment
Killed in Action,
6th May 1915,
Age 26,
Commemorated Helles Memorial.
Richard Clegg was born in Haslingden in 1888. He was the son of John Robert and Alice Clegg of 7 Belgrave Street, Rising Bridge. In 1901 Richard was living at Lower Mill, Rising Bridge, with his parents, brother John and sisters, Caroline, Alice and Grace. Richard’s occupation at this time was a cotton weaver but in 1907 he enlisted in the army and therefore was a regular soldier by the time was broke out in 1914. He was in II Platoon, 'C' Company in Maymyo in Burma when war was declared. The Battalion embarked for Gallipoli in March 1915. Pte. Richard Clegg was killed in action at Gallipoli on 6 May 1915. He was aged 26.
"On 6 May 1915, 25,000 British and Australian and New Zealand (ANZAC) troops launched an attack on Achi Baba ridge in what became known as the Second Battle of Krithia. The particular objective of the 1st Border Regiment was a point known as Hill 70.
The advance began in blistering heat and because of a shortage of supporting artillery shells, skilfully hidden Turkish artillery and machine-gun positions had not been destroyed. These immediately opened up on the British and ANZAC troops. Many men were mown down in gallant but futile bayonet charges. Already worn out by their exertions in previous battles and inadequately supplied with grenades and ammunition, the troops could make no progress against a hidden enemy. The heat of the sun was another burden on the courageous and exhausted infantry. No ground whatsoever was taken in fighting in which nearly a third of the British and ANZAC troops were killed or wounded.
At the end of the first day there was only one officer and 33 men of the Battalion holding the left of their position. As the positions on either side crumbled the officer was ordered to retire. As he did he brought with him some 50 other men from various regiments. In all, the Battalion lost 14 officers and almost 400 men killed, wounded or missing in that one day. The remainder were then placed in reserve until reinforcements became available.
Pte. Clegg was seriously wounded in the attack and in due course he was transferred to a hospital ship lying off the coast. He died shortly after the ship left for Egypt and he was, with scores of others, committed to the deep.
His name, together with 497 men of his regiment, is commemorated on Panels 119-125 on the Helles Memorial which stands on the tip of the Gallipoli peninsula".
From – Bill Turner’s Book.
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| Private Richard Clegg Census Information - Click over census to enlarge |
