Pte F Clarke Lowestoft - Killed in Action
The Norwich Mercury edition dated Saturday October 1918 has a picture of this man. The caption reads “Pte. F. Clarke, Lowestoft, killed in action.”
Soldiers Died in the Great War records that Private Frederick Clarke was Killed in Action on the 24th September 1918 whilst serving with the 18th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment. He was born and resident Lowestoft, enlisted Bury St Edmunds.
That soldier on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website is:-
CLARKE, FRED
Rank:……………………………......Private
Service No:……………………….6722
Date of Death:…………………24/09/1918
Age:………………………………....40
Regiment:…………………………Middlesex Regiment, 18th Bn.
Grave Reference:……………V. E. 14.
Cemetery:………………………..FINS NEW BRITISH CEMETERY, SOREL-LE-GRAND
Additional Information:
Son of Charles and Lottie Clarke, of Lowestoft; husband of Matilda Maud Clarke, of 2, Primitive Methodist Buildings, St. Peter's St., Lowestoft.
CWGC: www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/554470/CLARKE,%20FRED
The Medal Index Card for Private PW/6722 Frederick Clarke, Middlesex Regiment, is held at the National Archive under reference WO 372/4/141368
discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D1820993
His Service Records do not appear to have survived the incendiary attack during the Blitz on the Warehouse where all the Army service records were stored.
The Government Probate Service holds a Soldiers Will for 6722 Frederick Clarke who died 24th September 1918.
probatesearch.service.gov.uk/Wills?Surname=Clarke&Sur...
1878 – Birth and Baptism
The birth of a Frederick Clarke was recorded in the Mutford District in the July to September quarter, (Q3), of 1878.
The baptism of a Frederick Clarke, no date of birth recorded, took place at St Margarets, Lowestoft on the 6th October 1878. Parents were Charles and Charlotte Clarke.
familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:J31D-3R2
1881 Censuses of England & Wales and Scotland
The 2 year old Frederick, born Lowestoft, was recorded living at 22 St Peters Street, Lowestoft. This was the household of his parents Charles, (aged 28, a Basket Maker, born Lowestoft) and Charlotte, (aged 32, born Lowestoft). As well as Frederick their other children are:-
Charles……..aged 6…..born Lowestoft
Thomas……..aged 4…..born Lowestoft
1891 Censuses of England & Wales and Scotland
The Clarke family were living at 309 Raglan Street, Lowestoft. As well as parents Charles, (38, Basket Maker) and Charlotte, (40). Children still single and living at home are Charles, (16, Basket Maker), John, (14, Sailmaker), Frederick, (12, Baker) and James, (6, born Lowestoft).
The 10 year old Matilda M Garner, born Lowestoft, was recorded living at 8 Jacob’s Street, Lowestoft. This was the household of her parents William, (32, Shoe-maker, born Lowestoft) and Matilda, (32, born Lowestoft). The couple have two other children living with them.
1901 Censuses of England & Wales and Scotland
The Clarke family were now recorded living at 7 Jacob Street, Lowestoft. As well as parents Charles, (47, Basket Maker) and Charlotte, (50), children still living with them are Frederick, (22, Housepainter), James, (17) and Lilian, (9, born Lowestoft).
The 20 year old Matilda Garner was living next door at 8 Jacob Street. This was the household of her widower father, William B, (42, Shoemaker). Matilda also has a 7 year old brother William, born Lowestoft, living with her.
1903 – Marriage
The marriage of a Frederick Clarke to a Matilda Maud Garner was recorded in the Mutford District in the October to December quarter, (Q3), of 1903.
1911 Census of England and Wales
The 32 year old Fred Clarke, a married Gas Works Labourer from Lowestoft, was recorded as the head of the household at one of the Primitive Methodist Cottages, St Peter’s Street, Lowestoft. He lives there with his wife 7 years, the 30 year old Matilda Maud, who was born Lowestoft. The couple have had three children, but unfortunately only two were then still alive. These were two sons – Fred James, (6) and Willie Charles, (5) – both born Lowestoft.. Completing the household was a Boarder – another labourer from the Gas Works.
His parents were now recorded living at 3 Capps Buildings, St Peters Street, Lowestoft. Parents Charles, (59, Basket Maker) and Charlotte, (62), have been married 38 years and have had 11 children, of which 5 were then still alive. Living with them is their married son James, (28, House Painter) and his wife and family.
Post August 1911 it had become compulsory when registering the birth of a child with the Civil Authorities in England and Wales to also record the mothers maiden name. A check of the General Registrars Office Index of Births for England and Wales produces two possible additional children of Fred and Matilda. They were both registered with the surname Clarke, mothers maiden name Garner in the Mutford District of Suffolk.
Alice M……….Q1 1912
Arthur E………Q4 1915
His unit
18th (Service) Battalion (1st Public Works Pioneers)
Formed in London on 19 January 1915 by Lt-Col. John Ward MP. Moved to Alexandra Palace, going on in May 1915 to Rayleigh.
July 1915 : moved to Clipstone Camp and attached to 33rd Division as Pioneer Battalion. Moved in August to Salisbury Plain.
15 November 1915 : landed at Le Havre.
On the day
FINS NEW BRITISH CEMETERY, SOREL-LE-GRAND
Location Information
Fins is a village on the road between Cambrai and Peronne.
Historical Information
Fins and Sorel were occupied at the beginning of April 1917, in the German Retreat to the Hindenburg Line. They were lost on the 23 March 1918, after a stubborn defence of Sorel by the 6th K.O.S.B. and the staff of the South African Brigade; and they were regained in the following September.
The first British burials at Fins were carried out in the Churchyard and the Churchyard Extension, and the New British Cemetery was not begun until July 1917. It was used by fighting units (especially the 40th, 61st (South Midland) and 9th (Scottish) Divisions) and Field Ambulances until March, 1918, when it comprised about 590 graves in Plots I to IV. It was then used by the Germans, who added 255 burials, including 26 British, in Plots IV, V, and VI. In September and October 1918, about 73 British soldiers were buried by the 33rd and other Divisions, partly in Plots I and II, but mainly in Plots V and VI. Lastly, Plots VII and VIII were made, and other Plots completed, by the concentration of 591 graves after Armistice from the surrounding battlefields and from other smaller cemeteries.
www.cwgc.org/find-a-cemetery/cemetery/61500/FINS%20NEW%20...
The 1st Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment were in the same Division. This is taken from a piece on that Battalion.
Fourteen days were spent in training and resting and then, on 15th of September, the 33rd Division, having joined the Vth Corps, movement orders arrived for the Middlesex to travel by bus to Les Boeufs.
The 16th was spent in fitting the Battalion for the line and trenches at Equancourt (into which the Middlesex were to move) were reconnoitred. On the 17th the Battalion marched to Equancourt, on the 18th was in position just east of Dessart Wood, and on the 19th took over support positions in the 98th Brigade Sector in front (west) of Villers-Guislain. Desultory fighting went on for two or three days and then on the night 23rd/24th September, the 1st Middlesex relieved the 2nd Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders on the right of the Brigade front, the former occupying a line south-east of Villers-Guislain. That night the 100th Brigade, on the right of the Middlesex, attacked the enemy in a northerly direction. The Middlesex were to assist in the attack by bombing southwards to near the left battalion of the 100th Brigade. They bombed a certain distance but found no sign of the battalion in question. On the night of 24th/25th September Villers-Guislain was subjected to two "gas projectile shoots": a similar operation took place on the night 25th/26th. On the 26th the Battalion moved back to support positions west of Chapel Crossing.
freespace.virgin.net/howard.anderson/summer1918.htm
The Killed in Action section of the edition of the Norwich Mercury dated Saturday October 5th 1918 includes the following notice:-
CLARKE – In loving memory of Frederick Clarke, Middlesex Regt., husband of Mrs. Matilda Clarke, 2, Primitive Methodist Buildings, St.Peter’s Street, Lowestoft, and third son of Mr, and Mrs. Charles Clarke, 3, Primitive Methodists Buildings, St. Peter’s Street, Lowestoft, who was killed in action, in France, September 24th. Deeply mourned by his Father, Mother, Wife, and four children.
(Mildly photoshopped to minimise the visual impact of damage that was present on the original image.)
Pte F Clarke Lowestoft - Killed in Action
The Norwich Mercury edition dated Saturday October 1918 has a picture of this man. The caption reads “Pte. F. Clarke, Lowestoft, killed in action.”
Soldiers Died in the Great War records that Private Frederick Clarke was Killed in Action on the 24th September 1918 whilst serving with the 18th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment. He was born and resident Lowestoft, enlisted Bury St Edmunds.
That soldier on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website is:-
CLARKE, FRED
Rank:……………………………......Private
Service No:……………………….6722
Date of Death:…………………24/09/1918
Age:………………………………....40
Regiment:…………………………Middlesex Regiment, 18th Bn.
Grave Reference:……………V. E. 14.
Cemetery:………………………..FINS NEW BRITISH CEMETERY, SOREL-LE-GRAND
Additional Information:
Son of Charles and Lottie Clarke, of Lowestoft; husband of Matilda Maud Clarke, of 2, Primitive Methodist Buildings, St. Peter's St., Lowestoft.
CWGC: www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/554470/CLARKE,%20FRED
The Medal Index Card for Private PW/6722 Frederick Clarke, Middlesex Regiment, is held at the National Archive under reference WO 372/4/141368
discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D1820993
His Service Records do not appear to have survived the incendiary attack during the Blitz on the Warehouse where all the Army service records were stored.
The Government Probate Service holds a Soldiers Will for 6722 Frederick Clarke who died 24th September 1918.
probatesearch.service.gov.uk/Wills?Surname=Clarke&Sur...
1878 – Birth and Baptism
The birth of a Frederick Clarke was recorded in the Mutford District in the July to September quarter, (Q3), of 1878.
The baptism of a Frederick Clarke, no date of birth recorded, took place at St Margarets, Lowestoft on the 6th October 1878. Parents were Charles and Charlotte Clarke.
familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:J31D-3R2
1881 Censuses of England & Wales and Scotland
The 2 year old Frederick, born Lowestoft, was recorded living at 22 St Peters Street, Lowestoft. This was the household of his parents Charles, (aged 28, a Basket Maker, born Lowestoft) and Charlotte, (aged 32, born Lowestoft). As well as Frederick their other children are:-
Charles……..aged 6…..born Lowestoft
Thomas……..aged 4…..born Lowestoft
1891 Censuses of England & Wales and Scotland
The Clarke family were living at 309 Raglan Street, Lowestoft. As well as parents Charles, (38, Basket Maker) and Charlotte, (40). Children still single and living at home are Charles, (16, Basket Maker), John, (14, Sailmaker), Frederick, (12, Baker) and James, (6, born Lowestoft).
The 10 year old Matilda M Garner, born Lowestoft, was recorded living at 8 Jacob’s Street, Lowestoft. This was the household of her parents William, (32, Shoe-maker, born Lowestoft) and Matilda, (32, born Lowestoft). The couple have two other children living with them.
1901 Censuses of England & Wales and Scotland
The Clarke family were now recorded living at 7 Jacob Street, Lowestoft. As well as parents Charles, (47, Basket Maker) and Charlotte, (50), children still living with them are Frederick, (22, Housepainter), James, (17) and Lilian, (9, born Lowestoft).
The 20 year old Matilda Garner was living next door at 8 Jacob Street. This was the household of her widower father, William B, (42, Shoemaker). Matilda also has a 7 year old brother William, born Lowestoft, living with her.
1903 – Marriage
The marriage of a Frederick Clarke to a Matilda Maud Garner was recorded in the Mutford District in the October to December quarter, (Q3), of 1903.
1911 Census of England and Wales
The 32 year old Fred Clarke, a married Gas Works Labourer from Lowestoft, was recorded as the head of the household at one of the Primitive Methodist Cottages, St Peter’s Street, Lowestoft. He lives there with his wife 7 years, the 30 year old Matilda Maud, who was born Lowestoft. The couple have had three children, but unfortunately only two were then still alive. These were two sons – Fred James, (6) and Willie Charles, (5) – both born Lowestoft.. Completing the household was a Boarder – another labourer from the Gas Works.
His parents were now recorded living at 3 Capps Buildings, St Peters Street, Lowestoft. Parents Charles, (59, Basket Maker) and Charlotte, (62), have been married 38 years and have had 11 children, of which 5 were then still alive. Living with them is their married son James, (28, House Painter) and his wife and family.
Post August 1911 it had become compulsory when registering the birth of a child with the Civil Authorities in England and Wales to also record the mothers maiden name. A check of the General Registrars Office Index of Births for England and Wales produces two possible additional children of Fred and Matilda. They were both registered with the surname Clarke, mothers maiden name Garner in the Mutford District of Suffolk.
Alice M……….Q1 1912
Arthur E………Q4 1915
His unit
18th (Service) Battalion (1st Public Works Pioneers)
Formed in London on 19 January 1915 by Lt-Col. John Ward MP. Moved to Alexandra Palace, going on in May 1915 to Rayleigh.
July 1915 : moved to Clipstone Camp and attached to 33rd Division as Pioneer Battalion. Moved in August to Salisbury Plain.
15 November 1915 : landed at Le Havre.
On the day
FINS NEW BRITISH CEMETERY, SOREL-LE-GRAND
Location Information
Fins is a village on the road between Cambrai and Peronne.
Historical Information
Fins and Sorel were occupied at the beginning of April 1917, in the German Retreat to the Hindenburg Line. They were lost on the 23 March 1918, after a stubborn defence of Sorel by the 6th K.O.S.B. and the staff of the South African Brigade; and they were regained in the following September.
The first British burials at Fins were carried out in the Churchyard and the Churchyard Extension, and the New British Cemetery was not begun until July 1917. It was used by fighting units (especially the 40th, 61st (South Midland) and 9th (Scottish) Divisions) and Field Ambulances until March, 1918, when it comprised about 590 graves in Plots I to IV. It was then used by the Germans, who added 255 burials, including 26 British, in Plots IV, V, and VI. In September and October 1918, about 73 British soldiers were buried by the 33rd and other Divisions, partly in Plots I and II, but mainly in Plots V and VI. Lastly, Plots VII and VIII were made, and other Plots completed, by the concentration of 591 graves after Armistice from the surrounding battlefields and from other smaller cemeteries.
www.cwgc.org/find-a-cemetery/cemetery/61500/FINS%20NEW%20...
The 1st Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment were in the same Division. This is taken from a piece on that Battalion.
Fourteen days were spent in training and resting and then, on 15th of September, the 33rd Division, having joined the Vth Corps, movement orders arrived for the Middlesex to travel by bus to Les Boeufs.
The 16th was spent in fitting the Battalion for the line and trenches at Equancourt (into which the Middlesex were to move) were reconnoitred. On the 17th the Battalion marched to Equancourt, on the 18th was in position just east of Dessart Wood, and on the 19th took over support positions in the 98th Brigade Sector in front (west) of Villers-Guislain. Desultory fighting went on for two or three days and then on the night 23rd/24th September, the 1st Middlesex relieved the 2nd Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders on the right of the Brigade front, the former occupying a line south-east of Villers-Guislain. That night the 100th Brigade, on the right of the Middlesex, attacked the enemy in a northerly direction. The Middlesex were to assist in the attack by bombing southwards to near the left battalion of the 100th Brigade. They bombed a certain distance but found no sign of the battalion in question. On the night of 24th/25th September Villers-Guislain was subjected to two "gas projectile shoots": a similar operation took place on the night 25th/26th. On the 26th the Battalion moved back to support positions west of Chapel Crossing.
freespace.virgin.net/howard.anderson/summer1918.htm
The Killed in Action section of the edition of the Norwich Mercury dated Saturday October 5th 1918 includes the following notice:-
CLARKE – In loving memory of Frederick Clarke, Middlesex Regt., husband of Mrs. Matilda Clarke, 2, Primitive Methodist Buildings, St.Peter’s Street, Lowestoft, and third son of Mr, and Mrs. Charles Clarke, 3, Primitive Methodists Buildings, St. Peter’s Street, Lowestoft, who was killed in action, in France, September 24th. Deeply mourned by his Father, Mother, Wife, and four children.
(Mildly photoshopped to minimise the visual impact of damage that was present on the original image.)