Name
Frederick Alfred Clarke
7 March 1899
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
02/10/1918
18
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
56818
Lancashire Fusiliers
18th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
TYNE COT MEMORIAL
Panel 54 to 60 and 163A.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
N/A
UK & Other Memorials
Hemel Hempstead Town Memorial,
St Mary's Church Memorial, Hemel Hempstead,
John Dickinson & Co Memorial, Apsley Mills, Apsley
Pre War
Frederick Alfred Clarke was born on 7 March 1899 in Hemel Hempstead, the son of Rose and Charles (Charlie) Clark, and one of 11 children, although three died in infancy and his sister Rose died in 1916 aged 21. He was baptised on 14 February 1901 in Hemel Hempstead.
On the 1901 Census the family were living at 15 Church Street, Hemel Hempstead, where his father was working as a house painter. By 1911 they had moved to 9 Piccotts End, Hemel Hempstead. His father was then described as a master painter and Frederick was still at school. He left school in 1913 but where he worked prior to enlistment is not known.
His parents later lived at Bury Hill, Hemel Hempstead.
Wartime Service
He enlisted in Watford in July 1917, having reached the age of 18, and after completing his basic training was sent overseas to a Base Depot in France, probably in early 1918. He was then posted to the 18th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers and joined them east of Albert. In July the Battalion moved to St Elooi, south of Ypres to prepare for an offensive, where they were in support or reserve, but still suffered casualties.
In September they moved to a new position between Poperinghe and Ypres at Hill 60. In the early morning of 30 September they went into action and more than 250 Germans were taken prisoner before the action finished on 2 October. Frederick was killed in action on the last day.
He has no known grave and his name is commemorated on the Tyne Cot memorial, Belgium.
Additional Information
His father received a war gratuity of £5 and pay owing of £12 9s 8d. His mother received a pension of 7 shillings a week.
His name on the Hemel Hempstead Memorial is without an 'e'.
His registered name was Frederick Alfred Clark with no 'e', but most other records are with the 'e'.
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer
Jonty Wild, www.hemelheroes.com., www.dacorumheritage.org.uk., www.hemelatwar.org.
