Private H. Clarke, Essex Regiment, 1916 (Fell at Mundesley)
CLARKE, H
Rank:……………………......Private
Service No:……………….2871
Date of Death:…………..07/01/1916
Age:………………………......50
Regiment:…………………..Essex Regiment
……………………………........2nd/6th Provisional Bn.
Grave Reference:………25. 175.
Cemetery:………………..…NORWICH CEMETERY, NORFOLK
CWGC: www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2803089/CLARKE,%20H
Soldiers Died in the Great War records that Private 2871 Harry Clarke “Died” on the 7th January 1916 whilst serving on the home front with the 6th Battalion, Essex Regiment. No place of birth was shown, but he was resident Tilbury Docks, Essex and enlisted West Ham, Essex.
There does not appear to be a Medal Index Card held for him at the National Archive but given that he was probably home-service only, this is to be expected.
His Service Records do not appear to have survived the incendiary bombs that hit the warehouse where they were being stored during the Blitz of 1941.
There is no obvious Soldiers Will or Civil Probate for this man.
His Commonwealth War Graves Commission headstone shows him as aged 50, but a check of the General Registrars Office Index of Deaths for England and Wales shows only one likely match in Norfolk in the period 1915-1917, and that’s for a 45 year old Harry.
I then tried a search for a Harry Clarke with a Tilbury connection in the census records and found only one possible match, a 40 year old “Henry” on the 1911 census who was born Sheffield. I’ve therefore set out his details below but at this point it could all just be co-incidental.
1871 Census of England and Wales & Scotland
The 5 month old Harry Clarke, born Sheffield, was recorded living at Newholds Yard, Woodside Lane, Brightside Bierlow, Sheffield. This was the household of his parents, Charles, (aged 50, a Greengrocer, born London) and Sarah, (aged 39, born Sheffield).
As well as Harry their other children living with them are:-
Annie………aged 17….born Sheffield…Cutler
Thomas……aged 16…..born Sheffield…Cutler
Edith………aged ??.......born Sheffield (entry faded)
Charles…….aged 11…..born Sheffield…Errand Boy
George…….aged 9…….born Sheffield
Joseph……..aged 7…….born Sheffield
William……aged 5…….born Sheffield
Martha……..aged 2……born Sheffield
1881 Census of England and Wales & Scotland
The Clarke family were now recorded living at 81 Robert Street, Nether Hallam. As well as parents Charles, (aged 60, now shown working as a Stoker and born London, Middlesex) and Sarah, (49), children still living at home are Thomas, (26, Brick Maker), Charles, (21, Brick Maker), Edith, (23, “Mettle Ruler”), George, (19), Joseph, (17), William, (15, Silver Stamper), Martha, (12), Harry, 10), and new additions, Albert, (7) and Arthur, (5) – both born Sheffield. The Clarkes also have a lodger.
1891 Census of England and Wales & Scotland
There is a 20 year old Harry, single and a General Labourer from Sheffield, who was recorded living with his widowed mother Sarah, (59, born Sheffield) at 2 / 3 Watery Lane, Nether Hallam, Sheffield. Sarah has two other unmarried sons living with her “Wm”, (25, General Labourer) and Albert, (17, General Labourer) – both born Sheffield.
1901 Census of England and Wales & Scotland
There is no obvious match for Harry on this census. His brother Joseph, (with whom he would be recorded living in 1911), appears on the census already married and living at 16, Toronto Road, Tilbury, Essex, although he is recorded as a “Clark”. While there is an adult Harry in his household, it’s a boarder, Harry Page, a 26 year old Dock Labourer from Poplar, London.
1911 Census of England and Wales
The 40 year Henry Clarke, born Sheffield, Yorkshire, who was single and a Dock Labourer for Messrs Scrutton Ltd, was recorded living at 16 Toronto Road, Tilbury, Essex. This was household of his married brother Joseph H, aged 47, who was also born Sheffield and working as a Dock Labourer for Messrs Scrutton Ltd. Joseph and his wife Rosetta, (aged 47, born Gravesend, Kent), have been married 26 years and have had 7 children, all of whom were then still living at home.
Herbert…….aged 25….born Gravesend, Kent….Mercantile Clerk, Port of London Authority
Gertrude……aged 20…born Sheffield……Elementary School Teacher, Gravesend Education Committee
Frederick…..aged 17…born Gravesend, Kent…Mercantile Clerk, Messrs Scrutton, Ltd
Joseph……..aged 15…born Tilbury…..Clothiers Assistant, Lyndon Rhodes
Charles…….aged 12…born Tilbury
Dora……….aged 9……born Tilbury
Edith………aged 6…….born Tilbury
His Unit
2/6th Battalion
Formed at West Ham in November 1914 as a second line unit.
Moved to Peterborough in December 1914. By summer 1915 was at Thetford. Moved in July 1916 to Harrogate, April 1917 to Welbeck, winter 1917 to Middlesbrough. Disbanded in January 1918.
On the day
The death of a Harry Clarke, aged 45, was recorded in the Norwich District in the January to March quarter, (Q1), of 1916.
From the Eastern Daily Press, Tuesday January 11th 1916
FATAL FALL AT MUNDESLEY
A CLIFF GANGWAY TRAGEDY
The Deputy City Coroner (Mr.W.N. Ladell) held an inquiry at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital yesterday afternoon touching the death of Private Harry Clarke, aged 45, who met with his death from a fall at Mundesley on Friday.
Private Henry Dewdney identified the body. Deceased’s home was at 113, Dock Road, Tilbury, London. Witness had known deceased for the last ten or twelve years.
Corpl. Hubert Bennett stated that at 9.15 on Friday night he went with deceased down the steps leading from the Manor Hotel to the beach. Deceased lost his footing and fell down the steps and over a barricade. Assistance was at once obtained, and deceased was removed to the hotel. There he was attended to by a doctor, and afterwards taken to the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital. Deceased was quite sober. The steps were rather steep, and the night was very dark and windy. There was a handrail, and there were barricades at intervals. Deceased fell over one of the barricades. A strong wind was blowing at the time.
Mr. D.G.F. Gaul, representing Messrs. Bullard & Sons Ltd., the owners of the Manor Hotel, said the gangway was erected twenty years ago at considerable expense, and had been repaired many times since. There had never been the slightest accident there before. He could not make out how deceased could have fallen over the barricade.
Staff-Sergeant Edmund Askew Smith gave evidence of a corroborative character.
Corporal Robert Cornish, of the R.A.M.C., attached to deceased’s regiment, said that deceased passed away at Coltishall while being conveyed to the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital.
Dr. A.H. Davies said deceased was brought to the Hospital dead. A post-mortem examination revealed numerous punctures at the base of the skull. Death was due to injury to the brain.
The jury returned a verdict that deceased met with his death through injuries received in an accidental fall.
Captain Nunnelry expressed the deep sympathy of the officers of the regiment with the relatives of the deceased.
Mr.Gaul said that on behalf of the directors of Messrs. Bullards he wished to join in that expression. They deeply regretted that the accident should have occurred, but he was sure the jury would agree that no blame attached to the firm with regard to the gangway. It was used by the children, aged people, and invalids, and no accident had ever before occurred.
The Coroner and jury unanimously agreed that no blame could be attached to the firm.
Private H. Clarke, Essex Regiment, 1916 (Fell at Mundesley)
CLARKE, H
Rank:……………………......Private
Service No:……………….2871
Date of Death:…………..07/01/1916
Age:………………………......50
Regiment:…………………..Essex Regiment
……………………………........2nd/6th Provisional Bn.
Grave Reference:………25. 175.
Cemetery:………………..…NORWICH CEMETERY, NORFOLK
CWGC: www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2803089/CLARKE,%20H
Soldiers Died in the Great War records that Private 2871 Harry Clarke “Died” on the 7th January 1916 whilst serving on the home front with the 6th Battalion, Essex Regiment. No place of birth was shown, but he was resident Tilbury Docks, Essex and enlisted West Ham, Essex.
There does not appear to be a Medal Index Card held for him at the National Archive but given that he was probably home-service only, this is to be expected.
His Service Records do not appear to have survived the incendiary bombs that hit the warehouse where they were being stored during the Blitz of 1941.
There is no obvious Soldiers Will or Civil Probate for this man.
His Commonwealth War Graves Commission headstone shows him as aged 50, but a check of the General Registrars Office Index of Deaths for England and Wales shows only one likely match in Norfolk in the period 1915-1917, and that’s for a 45 year old Harry.
I then tried a search for a Harry Clarke with a Tilbury connection in the census records and found only one possible match, a 40 year old “Henry” on the 1911 census who was born Sheffield. I’ve therefore set out his details below but at this point it could all just be co-incidental.
1871 Census of England and Wales & Scotland
The 5 month old Harry Clarke, born Sheffield, was recorded living at Newholds Yard, Woodside Lane, Brightside Bierlow, Sheffield. This was the household of his parents, Charles, (aged 50, a Greengrocer, born London) and Sarah, (aged 39, born Sheffield).
As well as Harry their other children living with them are:-
Annie………aged 17….born Sheffield…Cutler
Thomas……aged 16…..born Sheffield…Cutler
Edith………aged ??.......born Sheffield (entry faded)
Charles…….aged 11…..born Sheffield…Errand Boy
George…….aged 9…….born Sheffield
Joseph……..aged 7…….born Sheffield
William……aged 5…….born Sheffield
Martha……..aged 2……born Sheffield
1881 Census of England and Wales & Scotland
The Clarke family were now recorded living at 81 Robert Street, Nether Hallam. As well as parents Charles, (aged 60, now shown working as a Stoker and born London, Middlesex) and Sarah, (49), children still living at home are Thomas, (26, Brick Maker), Charles, (21, Brick Maker), Edith, (23, “Mettle Ruler”), George, (19), Joseph, (17), William, (15, Silver Stamper), Martha, (12), Harry, 10), and new additions, Albert, (7) and Arthur, (5) – both born Sheffield. The Clarkes also have a lodger.
1891 Census of England and Wales & Scotland
There is a 20 year old Harry, single and a General Labourer from Sheffield, who was recorded living with his widowed mother Sarah, (59, born Sheffield) at 2 / 3 Watery Lane, Nether Hallam, Sheffield. Sarah has two other unmarried sons living with her “Wm”, (25, General Labourer) and Albert, (17, General Labourer) – both born Sheffield.
1901 Census of England and Wales & Scotland
There is no obvious match for Harry on this census. His brother Joseph, (with whom he would be recorded living in 1911), appears on the census already married and living at 16, Toronto Road, Tilbury, Essex, although he is recorded as a “Clark”. While there is an adult Harry in his household, it’s a boarder, Harry Page, a 26 year old Dock Labourer from Poplar, London.
1911 Census of England and Wales
The 40 year Henry Clarke, born Sheffield, Yorkshire, who was single and a Dock Labourer for Messrs Scrutton Ltd, was recorded living at 16 Toronto Road, Tilbury, Essex. This was household of his married brother Joseph H, aged 47, who was also born Sheffield and working as a Dock Labourer for Messrs Scrutton Ltd. Joseph and his wife Rosetta, (aged 47, born Gravesend, Kent), have been married 26 years and have had 7 children, all of whom were then still living at home.
Herbert…….aged 25….born Gravesend, Kent….Mercantile Clerk, Port of London Authority
Gertrude……aged 20…born Sheffield……Elementary School Teacher, Gravesend Education Committee
Frederick…..aged 17…born Gravesend, Kent…Mercantile Clerk, Messrs Scrutton, Ltd
Joseph……..aged 15…born Tilbury…..Clothiers Assistant, Lyndon Rhodes
Charles…….aged 12…born Tilbury
Dora……….aged 9……born Tilbury
Edith………aged 6…….born Tilbury
His Unit
2/6th Battalion
Formed at West Ham in November 1914 as a second line unit.
Moved to Peterborough in December 1914. By summer 1915 was at Thetford. Moved in July 1916 to Harrogate, April 1917 to Welbeck, winter 1917 to Middlesbrough. Disbanded in January 1918.
On the day
The death of a Harry Clarke, aged 45, was recorded in the Norwich District in the January to March quarter, (Q1), of 1916.
From the Eastern Daily Press, Tuesday January 11th 1916
FATAL FALL AT MUNDESLEY
A CLIFF GANGWAY TRAGEDY
The Deputy City Coroner (Mr.W.N. Ladell) held an inquiry at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital yesterday afternoon touching the death of Private Harry Clarke, aged 45, who met with his death from a fall at Mundesley on Friday.
Private Henry Dewdney identified the body. Deceased’s home was at 113, Dock Road, Tilbury, London. Witness had known deceased for the last ten or twelve years.
Corpl. Hubert Bennett stated that at 9.15 on Friday night he went with deceased down the steps leading from the Manor Hotel to the beach. Deceased lost his footing and fell down the steps and over a barricade. Assistance was at once obtained, and deceased was removed to the hotel. There he was attended to by a doctor, and afterwards taken to the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital. Deceased was quite sober. The steps were rather steep, and the night was very dark and windy. There was a handrail, and there were barricades at intervals. Deceased fell over one of the barricades. A strong wind was blowing at the time.
Mr. D.G.F. Gaul, representing Messrs. Bullard & Sons Ltd., the owners of the Manor Hotel, said the gangway was erected twenty years ago at considerable expense, and had been repaired many times since. There had never been the slightest accident there before. He could not make out how deceased could have fallen over the barricade.
Staff-Sergeant Edmund Askew Smith gave evidence of a corroborative character.
Corporal Robert Cornish, of the R.A.M.C., attached to deceased’s regiment, said that deceased passed away at Coltishall while being conveyed to the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital.
Dr. A.H. Davies said deceased was brought to the Hospital dead. A post-mortem examination revealed numerous punctures at the base of the skull. Death was due to injury to the brain.
The jury returned a verdict that deceased met with his death through injuries received in an accidental fall.
Captain Nunnelry expressed the deep sympathy of the officers of the regiment with the relatives of the deceased.
Mr.Gaul said that on behalf of the directors of Messrs. Bullards he wished to join in that expression. They deeply regretted that the accident should have occurred, but he was sure the jury would agree that no blame attached to the firm with regard to the gangway. It was used by the children, aged people, and invalids, and no accident had ever before occurred.
The Coroner and jury unanimously agreed that no blame could be attached to the firm.