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Blair Anderson Wark
File:Blair Wark.jpgBlair Wark c.1919
Allegiance	Commonwealth of Australia
Service / branch	Citizens Military Force (1913–1915 & 1940–1941) Australian Imperial Force (1915–1919)
Years of service	1913 – 1919 1940 – 1941
Rank	Lieutenant Colonel
Commands	32nd Battalion 1st Battalion
Battles / wars	World War I Western Front Battle of Fromelles Battle of Polygon Wood World War II
Awards	Victoria Cross Distinguished Service Order Mention in Despatches

Blair Anderson Wark VC, DSO (27 July 1894 – 13 June 1941) was an Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry "in the face of the enemy" that can be awarded to members of the British and Commonwealth armed forces. A quantity surveyor and member of the Citizens Military Force, Wark enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on 5 August 1915, for service in the First World War. After initially being employed in the defence of the Suez Canal, his battalion was shipped to the Western Front; it was here where Wark was to be decorated twice for his bravery and leadership. Receiving the Distinguished Service Order for his actions at Polygon Wood in 1917, Wark was decorated with the Victoria Cross in 1918 for his leadership and gallantry when in temporary command of his battalion over a three day period while conducting operations against the Hindenburg Line.

Returning to Australia after the war, Wark became engaged with his own quantity surveying business. A respected member of Australian society, he held several positions and directorships in various companies and charities, before re-enlisting for service in the Second World War. Promoted to lieutenant colonel and assuming command of the 1st Battalion (City of Sydney's Own Regiment), Wark died suddenly at Puckapunyal Camp, Victoria, of coronary heart disease at the age of 46.

Early life

Wark was born in Bathurst, New South Wales on 27 July 1894, the fourth child of Alexander Wark, a gas engineer from Scotland, and his native-born wife Blanche Adelaide Maria, née Forde. He attended Fairleigh Grammar School, Bathurst, and St Leonard's Superior Public School before attending Sydney Technical College, where he studied quantity surveying.

In the twelve months up to July 1912, Wark was a senior cadet in the Australian Army Cadets, later rising to the rank of sergeant within his unit. While working as a quantity surveyor, he enlisted in the 18th North Sydney Infantry, Citizen Military Force. Promoted to corporal in early 1913, he received a commission as a second lieutenant on 16 August, and for the next year was assigned to full-time defence duties in the port of Sydney.

First World War

Enlistment, August 1915 to Western Front, September 1918

Enlisting in the Australian Imperial Force on 5 August 1915, Wark was posted as a lieutenant to "C" Company of the newly raised 30th Battalion. He proceeded to Liverpool, where he attended an infantry school before training at the Royal Military College, Duntroon. On 9 November 1915, the 30th Battalion embarked for Egypt, with Wark aboard the troopship HMAT A72 Beltana. Upon their arrival in Egypt in December, the battalion was tasked with the defence of the Suez Canal, where Wark was promoted to captain on 20 February 1916.

In June, the battalion embarked at Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force in France to serve on the Western Front; they arrived at Marseilles on 23 June. The 30th's first major action began with the outbreak of the Battle of Fromelles on 19 July 1916. Originally tasked with providing carrying parties for supplies and ammunition, the battalion was soon drawn into combat. Wark commanded a company during the action, until being evacuated to the 7th Stationary Hospital suffering a gun shot wound to his leg. Transfered to the 3rd London General Hospital in England three days later, Wark was moved to the 5th Australian Auxiliary Hospital, Digswell House, Welwyn, on 7 August. Recovering from his wounds, Wark was discharged and granted leave in September, before returning to the 30th Battalion in France later that month.

On 9 October 1916, Wark was attached to the 32nd Battalion; his position with them was made permanent on 18 November. The 32nd Battalion did not see major offensive action for the remainder of the year, and on 2 January 1917, Wark gained admission to attend the Army Infantry School. Returning to the 32nd Battalion in February, he took part in actions at Sunray Trench during March. For his actions at Fromelles and Sunray Trench, Wark was recommended for the Distinguished Service Order, but the award was never made. Promoted to major on 27 April, he was granted six days of leave to Paris in June.

In late September and early October, Wark commanded a company throughout the action at Polygon Wood, in the Ypres sector of Belgium. On 29 September—the first day of the battle—Wark's men successfully repelled the leading waves of a German counter-attack before enlisting the help of the artillery to repel the remaining attacks. Over the next three days, Wark's constant patrolling and personal reconnaissance of the German position enabled him to ascertain when they were massing for further counter-attacks. On one occasion, noticing that the Germans were massing for another counter-attack, he quickly dispersed them with rifle fire and grenades. For his actions during the battle, Wark was awarded the Distinguished Service Order, the details of which were published in a supplement to the London Gazette on 3 June 1918.

Granted 16 days leave to the United Kingdom from 3 November, Wark gained selection for a senior officer's course at Aldershot, England, in January 1918. Having graduated from the course, he rejoined the 32nd Battalion in March as second-in-command, and was Mentioned in the Despatches of Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig on 7 April. Throughout June and July, Wark commanded the 32nd Battalion, which had played little part in the Spring Offensive. The battalion took part in the Battle of Amiens on 8 August, and was subsequently involved in the operations that continued to press the retreating Germans through August and into September.

Victoria Cross, September 1918 to repatriation, September 1919

From 29 September to 1 October 1918, Wark assumed temporary command of the 32nd Battalion, leading the unit through the 5th Division's attack against the Hindenburg Line at Bellicourt, and then the advance through Nauroy, Etricourt, Magny La Fosse and Joncourt. The battle was to be the 32nd Battalion's final action for the war, and it was during this engagement that Wark performed the actions for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross.

The 32nd Battalion was to commence their attack at Bellicourt at 09:00 on 29 September, and move south through the village. Due to the mist and smoke from the artillery barrage, visibility was poor. When the advance was held up by two German machine guns, Wark ordered a tank to neutralise them. On reaching the southern end of St Quentin Canal tunnel, Wark came across two hundred troops of the 117th American Regiment who appeared to be leaderless, and attached them to his own command. A short time later, with visibility still poor, he again enlisted armoured reinforcements and began an advance on the village of Nauroy. As the fog began to lift, Wark organised his troops for an attack on the village from a southerly direction. By 11:30, the battalion had taken the village, along with forty Germans as prisoners.

Shortly after, when Wark observed a battery of 77 mm guns firing on his rear companies and causing heavy casualities, he collected a few of his men and rushed the battery, capturing four guns and ten crewmen. With only two men, he pushed forward and surprised and captured fifty Germans near Magny-la-Fosse. At 15:00, Wark halted his battalion near Joncourt. From there, he sent out patrols, which found the town still occupied by opposing forces. The 32nd Battalion responded by withdrawing slightly and strengthening their line. At 17:30, the Germans launched a counter-attack that was repulsed by the 32nd Battalion with the assistance of the 31st Battalion, together with some men from the 46th (North Midland) Division.

At 07:00 the next day, the 32nd Battalion attacked once more, advancing 1,500 metres to a point just north of Etricourt. Under heavy shelling and machine gun fire, they established a line between Joncourt and Etricourt. On 1 October, at 06:00, with a company attached from the 30th Battalion, the 32nd Battalion launched an attack that cut through Joncourt. Leading from the front, Wark dashed forward and silenced machine guns that were causing heavy casualties; this enabled the 5th Division to complete its task of forcing through to the Beaurevoir Line.

The full citation for Wark's Victoria Cross appeared in a supplement to the London Gazette on 26 December 1918, it read:

War Office, 26th December, 1918

His Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the Victoria Cross to the undermentioned Officers, N.C.O.'s and Men: —

Maj. Blair Anderson Wark, D.S.O., 32nd Bn., A.I.F.

For most conspicuous bravery, initiative and control during the period 29th Sept. to 1st Oct. 1918, in the operations against the Hindenburg Line at Bellicourt and the advance through Nauroy, Etricourt, Magny La Fosse and Joncourt.

On 29th Sept., after personal reconnaissance under heavy fire, he led his command forward at a critical period and restored the situation. Moving fearlessly at the head of, and at times far in advance of, his troops, he cheered his men on through Nauroy, thence towards Etricourt. Still leading his assaulting companies, he observed a battery of 77mm. guns firing on his rear companies and causing heavy casualties. Collecting a few of his men, he rushed the battery, capturing four guns and ten of the crew. Then moving rapidly forward with only two N.C.O.s, he surprised and captured fifty Germans near Magny La Fosse.

On 1st Oct., 1918, he again showed fearless leading and gallantry in attack, and without hesitation and regardless of personal risk dashed forward and silenced machine guns which were causing heavy casualties.

Throughout he displayed the greatest courage, skilful leading and devotion to duty, and his work was invaluable.

The 32nd Battalion was resting and retraining when the Armistice was signed on 11 November 1918. On 5 January 1919, Wark was granted leave to the United Kingdom, where he accepted his Victoria Cross from King George V on 13 February, before returning to the 32nd Battalion six days later. He was allotted to the 30th Battalion and sent back to England in preparation for demobilisation. On 31 May 1919, Wark married Phyllis Marquiss Munro at St George's Parish Church, Worthington, Sussex; ten days later, he boarded HT Port Lyttleton to return to Australia, where he was discharged from the Australian Imperial Force on 28 September 1919. Two of Wark's brothers also served in the First World War, both in the 56th Battalion; Alexander was a sergeant, while Keith, a recipient of the Distinguished Conduct Medal, rose to the rank of lieutenant.

Later life

Upon demobilisation, Wark resumed business as a quantity surveyer in Sydney, later becoming a principal of Thompson & Wark, quantity surveyors. In June 1920, Wark was in charge of ten fellow Victoria Cross recipients when they were introduced to the Prince of Wales at Government House, during the latter's visit to Australia. Wark became a respected member of Australian society, holding several hononary public positions, including director of the Royal North Shore Hospital, life governor of the New South Wales Benevolent Society, and a councillor of the National Roads and Motorists' Association of New South Wales. He was a committee member of the Hawkesbury River Race Club, as well as holding directorships in various insurance and petroleum companies.

In 1922, Wark divorced; he married Catherine Mary Davis at St Stephen's Presbyterian Church, Sydney, on 10 December 1927. The pair later had one son and two daughters. On 17 April 1940, Wark returned to active service in the Second World War, and was appointed to the 1st Battalion (City of Sydney's Own Regiment) as a major. On 26 July, he was promoted to temporary lieutenant colonel and assumed command of the battalion. While bivouacked at Puckapunyal Camp, Victoria, he suddenly died of coronary heart disease on 13 June 1941. The medical officer on sight later concluded: "The cause of death in my opinion was angina pectoris, the fatal attack having been brought on by physical exertion during a night exercise under very cold conditions." He was cremated at Eastern Suburbs Crematorium, Sydney, after a full military funeral on 16 June, and his ashes were interred at Woronora Cemetery, Sydney.

Notes

1. ^ Richard Gorrell. "Wark, Blair Anderson (1894 - 1941)". Australian Dictionary of Biography, Melbourne University Press. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help); Unknown parameter |accessdaymonth= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
2. ^ Staunton 2005, p. 187
3. ^ Gliddon 2000, p. 60
4. ^ "First World War Embarkation Roll: Blair Anderson Wark" (PDF). Australian War memorial. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessdaymonth= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
5. ^ "Blair Anderson WARK". The AIF Project. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessdaymonth= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
6. "30th Battalion". Australian War Memorial. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessdaymonth= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
7. ^ "32nd Battalion". Australian War Memorial. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessdaymonth= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
8. "Recommendation for Blair Anderson Wark to be awarded a Distinguished Service Order" (PDF). Australian War Memorial. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessdaymonth= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
9. "Recommendation for Blair Anderson Wark to be awarded a Distinguished Service Order" (PDF). Australian War Memorial. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessdaymonth= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
10. "No. 30716". The London Gazette (invalid |supp= (help)). 3 June 1918.
11. "No. 30706". The London Gazette (invalid |supp= (help)). 28 May 1918.
12. ^ Gliddon 2000, p. 58
13. "No. 31082". The London Gazette (invalid |supp= (help)). 26 December 1918.
14. ^ Gliddon 2000, p. 61
15. ^ Staunton 2005, p. 188
16. "WARK, BLAIR ANDERSON". World War II Nominal Roll. Commonwealth of Australia. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessdaymonth= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)

References

• Gliddon, Gerald (2000), The Final Days 1918, VCs of the First World War, Sparkford, England: Sutton Publishing, ISBN 0-7509-2485-3 {{citation}}: Unknown parameter |ISBN status= ignored (help)
• Staunton, Anthony (2005), Victoria Cross: Australia's Finest and the Battles they Fought, Prahran, Victoria: Hardie Grant Books, ISBN 1-74066-288-1 {{citation}}: Unknown parameter |ISBN status= ignored (help)

External links

• Digger History - Captain (LtCol) Blair Anderson Wark VC DSO
• Queensland Museum South Bank - Major Blair Anderson Wark VC, DSO

Template:Persondata

• 1894 births
• 1941 deaths
• Australian Army officers
• Australian World War I Victoria Cross recipients
• Companions of the Distinguished Service Order