THE grandsons of a fallen World War One soldier honoured their grandfather's memory as they made the poignant journey to Helles Memorial, which serves as a lasting reminder of those wo died in the infamous Gallipoli Campaign.

Grandson Alan Piatt and great-grandsons Richard, Robert, and Timothy Piatt, visited the memorial on which Sgt George Edwin Clark's name is engraved.

Alan, aged 73, said: "It was a very moving experience to see his name alongside the other 20,000 plus names.

“This was the first time any of us had visited the memorial. Richard had organised the trip as last year’s Christmas present to me.

“The other two not wanting to be left out joined us.

"I had hired a car to get from Istanbul to the Memorial and back.

“Regrettably, I didn’t know a lot about my grandfather as my mother never spoke of him.

“She was only three when he died."

He added: “Even though being at the memorial is a moving experience we all felt that the tableaux in Eceabat was even more so.

“They have a replica trench with life-size figures."

Sgt Clark of the 6th East Lancashire Regiment, British Expeditionary Force, was killed on August 9, 1915, aged just 35.

In a letter to the Bolton Journal and Guardian Sgt J Horner, of Great Lever, wrote: “We were making a bayonet charge about 4.30am on the 8th, when Clark was shot through the head, death being instantaneous.

“As I was only a couple of yards from him when this occurred, I can assure his wife that he died game with his face to the enemy.

“We buried him at night as throughout that day the Turks wer using machine guns all around where he fell."

Sgt Clark lived at Bristol Avenue, Tonge Moor, served as a scoutmaster, serving as the secretary of the Bolton Scouts Association. He worked at Mr J.W. Gledsdale Printer, Deansgate.

He married Lily Trousdale and had two children, Violet and Lilian.

He joined the 6th East Lancashire Regiment and went out to Gallipoli in June.

Mr Piatt said: “I think it is very important to remember those who died for us regardless which war it was. Of course in due time no one will be left to remember as we hope there will not be any more Great Wars.

“People of Bolton will know George Edwin Clark has not been forgotten."