No.5827592, Private, Kenneth Frederick CLARKE
Aged 22
no information as to medals
8th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment
Died in Accident on Wednesday, 25th December 1940
|
Kenneth Clarke was born in Isleham in 1918 (Newmarket Q4-1918 3B:664) son of Frederick William and Henrietta CLARKE (née BROWN).
In 1939 his father (2-6-1892) a poultry farmer, and mother (6-8-1895) and grandfather James BROWN were at Coal Yard Drove, Isleham (2 closed records). |
|
The 8th Suffolks were a training battalion and saw no active service, but sent a great number of drafts abroad. As Kenneth Frederick Clarke died in Colchester (Q1-1941 4A:1769) it suggests he was stationed in Colchester. The Bury Free Press of 4th January 1941 reported:- The First Isleham Casualty - Death of Pte. K.Clarke It was with the most profound sorrow that the parents of Private Kenneth Clarke received the sad news onDecmeber 26th that their only son had been accidentally killed while on duty. Private Clarke, who was well known and respected in the village, was formerly a pupil at the Soham Grammar School. He was an active member of the Isleham Cricket and Football Clubs and since he joined the Army he had shown great promise as a boxer. Private Clarke was in the Suffolk Regiment and by a strange co-incidence, is father served in the same Battalion and Company during the war of 1914-1918. The deceased was of fine physique, standing 6 ft 3 ins and his cherry disposition endeared him to all. All residents in Isleham are united in their heartfelt sympathy of Mr.and Mrs. Clarke and Betty, his sister. |
click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details