Mr John Lark, a local resident awarded Meritorious Medal.

“The Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty have awarded to Mr John Lark, of Shirley, Wick Lane, Wickford, the Meritorious Medal with an annuity.  Mr LARK was late Colour Sergeant of the Royal Marines and served upwards of 22 years, and was selected by the Admiralty for the appointment of Chief Warder at Irelands Island, Bermuda, where he was for five years. Mrs Lark, with her three children, followed him out some six months later.  He joined the Royal Fleet Reserve on its first formation and voluntarily enlisted again in the Great War in 1915. Mr. Lark is a native of Wickford, being born there in 1856. He joined the Royal Marines in 1874 at Chatham, and for twenty years during his service he was a non-commissioned officer. Upon his rejoining in 1915, he was appointed Chief of Police in his division until he left in 1915. Mr and Mrs Lark returned to Wickford in 1923. Four of Mr Larks brothers also joined the service.  Mr and Mrs Lark have five children. One son is Station Sergeant in the Metropolitan Police, another is a prison officer, and the eldest is in New Zealand. He has seen service in the South African War, as well as the Great War, and left as regimental sergeant-major of the Royal Engineers. Mr Lark,who is in his 74th year, enjoys good health and considers there is nothing like a soldier’s life”.