Clarence E. McGirk was born in Lyndell, north of Downingtown on April 4, 1925, to Elwood C and Harriet A. McGirk.   He was one of three children including sisters Mary and Harriet. His family later moved into Downingtown and lived at 225 William St.

Clarence attended Downingtown Schools, and later moved with his family to West Chester; where they lived at 130 West Barnard St.

Clarence obtained employment at Jack’s Auto Supply located at 107 W. Market St. and was a member of Camp 32 the Sons of Veterans of the Civil War. Clarence was baptized in Downingtown, but when he moved to West Chester, he became an active member of the Baptist Church of West Chester.

Clarence enlisted in the Army on February 8, 1943, and received basic training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, assigned to the 609^th Engineers Light Equipage. He then received further training at Camp Gordon Georgia, and Camp Forrest Tennessee, and engaged in maneuvers at Nashville.

Clarence came home for a few days leave during Thanksgiving 1944, before he was sent overseas December 10th.

Clarence received an injury to his leg and was hospitalized.  He was discharged and returned to duty according to a letter received by his mother in October.

On Tuesday November 7^th, his family received a telegram fro the Adjutant General of the War Department that Clarence died from a result of a pulmonary embolism (blood clot of the lungs).

Private Clarence E. McGirk Died Non Battle in a hospital in Paris on October 24, 1944.

Clarence was buried in a local military cemetery in Solons, France with full military honors.  A memorial service was held at the Baptist Church in West Chester on Sunday November 19^th. Reverend Mervin A Heller Pastor, presided, with a color guard from the West Chester American Legion Bernhard F. Schlegal Post No 134.

Clarence was returned for reburial in his home country. His remains arrived on Wednesday October 25, 1948 at the Hicks Funeral Home at 229 South High Street in West Chester.  Services were held by the Sons of Veterans of the Civil War.  He was interned in the Hopewell Cemetery on Hopewell Road north of Downingtown (off Rt. 322 at the Methodist Church.)