Name
Arthur William Clarke
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
18/08/1916
31
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
G/2182
The Buffs (East Kent Regiment)
8th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Searched but not found
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
Pier and Face 5 D.
France
Headstone Inscription
NA
UK & Other Memorials
Hitchin Town Memorial, St Saviour's Church War Memorial, Radcliffe Rd., Hitchin, St Mary's Church Roll of Honour, Hitchin
Pre War
Arthur was born around 1885 in Bourne, Lincolnshire and his parents were Walter and Eliza Clarke.
In 1891 the family were living at West Street, Bourn, Lincolnshire. Present were both parents: Walter (36) and Eliza (36), with x and working as a saddler. Their children were: Ethel (8) and Arthur William(6). Also present was Walter’s brother Fredrick Clarke.
By 1901 the family had moved to Station Road, Whittlesey, Cambridgeshire. Present were both parents, with Walter now working as a harness maker. Their children were those lieste above, but with Arthur now 15, working as a ironmongers assistant.
By 1911 the family had were living at 95 Station Road, Whittlesey. Both parents and Ethel were present, but Arthur had left. Walter and Elize had been married for 30 years with 2 children all living. Arthur was now boarding with Ann Barnes, a widow, in Melbourn Road, Royston, he was now an ironmonger’s assistant.
Prior to joining up he had been employed by Brookers of Hitchin for four years and was unmarried.
Officially recorded as enlisting in London, while living in Guildhall, London.
Wartime Service
Albert was given the Regimental Number G/2182 and posted to the 8th Battalion of the Regiment and was killed in action in France. The Battalion was in the 17th Brigade of the 24th Division. Earlier he had been wounded at Loos when he was shot through both legs and was transferred to the 4th Stationary in France and then a hospital in Lewisham.
On the day of his death the Battalion made an attack near Waterlot Farm in the Somme sector. The Battalion, mainly due to their bombers, captured their only objective, the north section of the German ZZ Trench 500 yds east of Waterlot Farm. The casualties for the day were 358 which was over one third of the fighting strength of the Battalion.
He has no known grave and is remembered on Pier 5 Face D of the great Thiepval Memorial to the Missing in France.
Additional Information
After his death £4 12s 10d was authorised to go to his mother, Eliza, on 15 November 1916 and later a war gratuity of £9 was authorised to be paid to her on 23 September 1919.
Acknowledgments
David C Baines, Jonty Wild
