No.27228, Private, Frederick William CLARKE
Aged 32
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Frederick CLARKE was born in Haverhill (Risbridge Q2-1887 4A:647), son of Frederick and Caroline CLARK (née BROWN)
Caroline's first husband, James Brown, had died in November 1880 at the age of 28, leaving three children, so when Frederick married Caroline on the 1st August 1881 at St Mary's Church, they had a ready made family. Their daughter Ethel was born in 1884, followed by Fred (actually Frederick William) and Hannah, in 1891, to complete the family and the children were baptised together at St Mary's on 11th September 1896. Frederick was then a bricklayer and the family was living at 68 Burton End. Sadly, just one year later when Fred was only 10 years old, his father died. Caroline then worked as a drabbet weaver, as did Ethel. 1891 census...Aged 4, he was at Camps Road, Haverhill with his father Frederick CLARKE [36] labourer; his mother Caroline [40] a factory hand; recorded as brothers Robert William FARRANT [17] factory hand, Walter Brown FARRANT [10]; (recorded as sister) Elizabeth FARRANT [13] domestic nursemaid; sisters Ethel CLARKE [7] and Hannah CLARKE [1]. All were Haverhill born. 1901 census...Aged 13, he was at 26 Mill Road, with his widowed mother (drabett weaver); sister Ethel (drabett weaver) and Hannah (scholar). His father had died in 1897. 1911 census...Aged 24, a wool winder, he was with his sister Hannah Matilda CLARKE [20](drabett weaver) boarding at 24 Mill Road, Haverhil with Ellis Mizon BACKLER and his wife Ethel and son Sidney Hector. His mother had died the previous year. In 1913 he married Elizabeth Augusta HULYER [8-7-1891] at St.Mary's Church on 14th June 1913. Setting up home at 10 Croft Row,they had two children, Constance May[24-10-1913] and Arthur Frederick [30-4-1915]. After his death the family moved to 58 Weaver Row. |
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He enlisted in Haverhill. Given that his Suffolk Regiment number was 1337 he seems to have joined the Territorials (5th Suffolks) in around
1911-1912.
He was sent home after 6 months in France in 1916 due to illness and on return to the BEF was transferred to the Royal Warwickshire regiment. According to the war diary, the 15th Warwicks left by train from Italy on 1st April 1918, arriving Frement on 4th April and Thiennes on the 12th. On the 13th established a line west of Merville, with the 14th Warwicks on their left. The diary records:- "13/4/18 - 2am - Line re-established as ordered from 36a.K.26.a.4.8 on the left to K.25.c.9.4., with two companies in support along southern edge of wood from K.25.a.9.7.to K.20.c.1.4. Batalion HQ moved to K.25.a.6.6 6 am Situation quiet on our fornt except for M.G.fire on our left front. 12:3 pm Hostile artillery becomes very heavy. During morning small parties of twos and threes of the enemy can be seen moving to house at cross roads K.26.c.7.1. 1:30 pm Orders for relief by 2/KOSB received 3 pm Enemy reported advancing in mass along MERVILLE ROAD to houses at cross roads K.26.c.7.1. - out of rifle range. Artillery asked for. 4 pm 14 R War R threatened on our left. 4:27 pm CO issues orders to "B" and "C" Coys to prepare to form defensive flank and act according to circumstances in accordance with reconnaisance. 4:50 pm Enemy attack develops on our front. Attack beaten off by our Lewis gun and rifle fire and M.G.fire. Enemy still reported massing and advancing along the LE SART- LE CORBIE ROAD 5:30 pm Another enemy attack on our front develops, attack again beaten off. Enemy shelling continued very heavily from 12:30 pm to about 8 pm when it slackened. 8:50 pm Patrols from both front line Coys throughout the hours of darkness report no enemy located in house "moated farm" K.26.a.5.7. which is protected from our side by a deep and wide moat. Patrol of enemy encountered at K.25.d.6.2. 9 pm Orders received cancelling relief Casualties - 1 officer wounded; 5 OR killed, 35 wounded, 1 missing; 1 self inflicted wound. CWGC figures have 7 killed, none with an identified grave. The 14th battalion on the left faring worse, with 25 killed. |
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The South West Suffolk Echo of 18th May 1918 reported:- "Mrs.F.W.Clarke, who resided at one time at 10 Croft Row, Haverhill, has been officially notified of the death of her husband, Pte.Frederick William Clarke, while on active service in France.He was killed in action on April 13th. Deceased, who was 32 years of age, was mobilised with the Territorials, and in 1916 was in France for six months. After being transferred home through sickness he was redrafted to France in May 1917.He leave a widow and two children. Mrs. Clarke has received the following letter from the Chaplain:- "As Chaplain of the regiment I feel I must write to you a letter of deep sympathy on the death in action of your husband, Pte.F.W.Clarke, 27228, on April 13th. No doubt by now you have had official news from the War Office,but I feel a personal letter will not be unwelcome. Your husband fell during an action of the utmost importance, the result of which was to stop the German advance at a critical time and place.I pray God will help you in your time of sorrow, that you may feel "underneath are the everlasting arms". The women of England have had a very hard part to play in this war, but they bear their sorrows as readily as their sons do their hardships. I hope you will write to me if there is anything you want to know, and I will do my best to tell you. I enclose a card of memory which I hope you will keep and use" Mrs Chapman also received the following letter from a comrade of her deceased husband:-" I am writing with sympathy from all the boys of the Platoon of the sad death of your husband who was killed in action on April 13th. We all miss him very much. I can assure you he suffered no pain and we all know he has done his duty for his King and Country. If there is anything that you would like to know I will be please to answer. To the midnight stars are shining, Upon his lonely grave. The one we miss is sleeping."
photo: Rodney Gibson click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
