Albert Clarence Leonard Jepson
He attended High Pavement School. Attended University College. Member of University College Nottingham OTC.
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
Albert Clarence Leonard (Clarence) was the younger son of Arthur and Martha Jepson (née Mellors).
His father Arthur was born in 1858 at Radford, Nottingham, and his mother Martha Mellors n 1856 at Ilkeston, Derbyshire. They were married in 1879 (reg. Radford) and had five children: Gertrude b. 1880, Ada b. 1881, Herbert Arthur b. 1885 and Mabel Minne b. January 1887, who were born in Nottingham, and Arthur Clarence Leonard birth registered 1896 (JFM), who was born in Sutton in Ashfield (reg. Mansfield). There are baptismal records for Gertrude (26 May 1880), Ada (19 October 1881), Herbert Arthur (31 May 1885) and Mabel Minnie (26 October 1887).
Arthur, a lace maker, his wife and their first child, Gertrude, were living at 46 Basford Road, Radford, in 1881. Also in the home were two boarders, Bars (sic) Mellors (14) b. Ilkeston, a nurse (domestic) who was probably a relation, and Christianea Mackenzie, a general domestic.
The family had moved to King Street, Sutton-in-Ashfield, by 1891: Arthur, a shoe maker, Martha, and their four children, Gertrude, Ada and Herbert who were school age and Mabel (4). Also in the household was Arthur's nephew, John Jepson, a coal miner, and his wife Mary.
Arthur, now employed as a school attendance officer, and Martha were living on Howard Street, Sutton in Ashfield, in 1901. Gertrude and Ada were both Board school teachers, Herbert a clerk (printers' office), Mabel a draper's assistant, and Albert was school age.
Ada married Edward Hopkinson, a school teacher, in 1904 (reg. JAS Mansfield) and their daughter Ada Mildred was born the following year. Ada died in January 1906 and was buried
in Sutton Cemetery. Edward was killed in the First World War. (see 'Extra information')
Gertrude married William Henry Vardy at Sutton in Ashfield in April 1905 and the couple were living at 7 Manvers Street, Mansfield, in 1911: William was an assistant school master (Elementary, Borough Education Committee), Gertrude and their daughters Gertrude Eileen (3) and Dorothea Ada (2m). A third daughter, Kathleen Mabel Edith, was born in 1912. Also in the household was Gertrude's sister, Mabel Minnie, a shop assistant (draper and millinery). William Vardy was also to serve in the war. (See 'Extra information')
Arthur and Martha had returned to Nottingham by 1911 when they were living at 405 Alfreton Road, Radford, with their sons Herbert, an insurance agent, and Clarence, a student, and a boarder, Mary Bains, who was a shop assistant (millinery).
Mabel, the youngest daughter, married Alexander Gourlay in January 1912.
Herbert died on 9 November 1918 after being discharged from the Army the previous year. (See 'Extra information') The probate record (Administration, Arthur Jepson) gave his occupation as assistant insurance superintendent.
Arthur and Martha were still living at 405 Alfreton Road at the time of Arthur's death on 29 July 1927. Martha died in December 1934.
In 1939 when the England & Wales Register was compiled, Mabel and her husband Alexander Gourlay were living on Marlborough Road, Beeston, with their two children Kenneth Alec (b. 1919) and Mabel Irene (b. 1921). Mabel died aged 72 in 1959 (reg. Ince, Lancashire).
The eldest daughter Gertrude and her husband William Vardy were living at 'Verdun' 6 Ashfield Avenue, Mansfield in 1939. William was a school master (elementary school) with additional responsibility as an ARP warden. William died in February 1962 and his widow in September the same year.
Albert Clarence Leonard Jepson enlisted at Nottingham. He was gazetted second lieutenant and served with the 3rd Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment.
Albert disembarked France on 29 May 1916. He was attached to the 2nd Battalion when he was killed in action on 12 October 1916. He is buried at Caterpillar Valley Cemetery, Longueval, France (grave ref. XXlX.G.1).
His brother, Herbert Arthur Jepson, attested at Nottingham on 11 December 1915. He was aged 30, occupation insurance agent. He lived at 405 Alfreton Road, Nottingham, and named his father Arthur of the same address as his next of kin. Herbert was posted to the Army Reserve and mobilised on 11 April 1917, joining at Derby. He was posted to the Army Service Corps MT Depot but appeared before a Medical Board six months later on 1 October 1917 and found unfit for military service (chronic bronchitis, 'origin when 5 years old, permanent incapacity'); he was discharged from the Army on 22 October 1917. Herbert died on 9 November 1918 and was buried in Nottingham General Cemetery.
Their brother-in-law, William Henry Vardy, their sister Gertrude's husband, served with 2/8th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (203805 Private/Lance Corporal). He attested on 10 December 1915 and was posted in April 1917, serving with the BEF France from 30 July the same year. He was wounded in action (GSW) in October 1917. William was discharged at Clipstone, Nottinghamshire, in January 1919 to Ashfield Avenue, Mansfield. There is a receipt in his service record that he signed in April 1920 for the Military Medal. ‘National Union of Teachers War Record. Military Medal. WH Vardy L.Cpl Sherwood Foresters, School: Broomhill CS. Association: Mansfield Borough.'
Their sister Ada's husband, Edward Hopkinson, served with the 8th Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Lieutenant), and was killed in action on 23 April 1917. He was awarded the Military Cross in 1917. (See record on this Roll of Honour)
Nottingham General Cemetery, family grave/headstone: 'In loving memory of Herbert Arthur Jepson who died November 9th 1918 aged 33 years. Until the day break and the shadows flee away. Also Sec. Lieut A Clarence L Jepson, brother of the above, killed in action October 12th 1916, buried at Cheudicourt, France, in his 21st year. Greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. In loving memory of Arthur Jepson, the beloved husband of Martha Jepson entered the homeland on July 20th 1927. Also of Martha … who passed away Dec (-) 1934 aged 76 years.
CWGC Additional Information: Son of Arthur and Martha Jepson, of 405, Alfreton Rd., Nottingham.
Nottingham Evening Post, 19 October 1916: 'Second-Lieut ACL Jepson. Mr. A. Jepson, superintendent school attendance officer for the Notts. Education Committee, has received official intimation of the death in action on October 12th of his son, Second-Lieut. A. C. L. Jepson, of the York and Lancaster Regiment, who, before joining the forces, was at the Nottingham University College, where he was studying for the scholastic profession.' Jim Grundy facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918.
Probate 20 April 1917: Albert Clarence Leonard Jepson of 405 Alfreton Road Nottingham second lieutenant died on 12th October 1916 in France. Administration awarded to Arthur Jepson, school attendance officer. Effects £186 15 shillings and 3 pence.
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 9 November 1918: ‘Jepson. On November 9th, at 405, Alfreton-road, Herbert Arthur, eldest son of Arthur and Martha Jepson, aged 33 years.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Nottingham Evening Post, 21 February 1962 (extract): ‘Death of former headmaster. Mr William Henry Vardy, a former school headmaster, died yesterday at his home, 87a Rosemary-street, Mansfield. He was 78. Mr Vardy retired in 1946 from a long teaching career at Broomhill Junior School, Mansfield, where he joined the staff on its opening in 1904, and was head for 34 years.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Note. No mention of the award of the Military Medal (1914-18).
Nottingham Evening Post, 22 September 1962 (extract): ‘Founder of Guild dies. Mrs Gertrude Vardy, one of the founders of the Townswomen’s Guild movement in Mansfield, died yesterday, aged 82. She was the widow of Mr WH Vardy, a former headmaster of Broomhill Schoo, Mansfield, who died last February. Mrs Vardy, who lived at 87a Rosemary-street, Mansfield, was also a retired teacher … She was a member of the Rosemary-street Methodist Church and at one time secretary of the Mansfield Choral Union. She leaves two daughters.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Original research PG. Additional research/record updated RF (July 2026)
Albert Clarence Leonard Jepson
Family headstone, Nottingham General Cemetery. Photograph Rachel Farrand (January 2015)
Albert Clarence Leonard Jepson
Family headstone, Nottingham General Cemetery. Photograph Rachel Farrand
Albert Clarence Leonard Jepson
Buried Caterpillar Valley Cemetery, Longueval, Somme, France. Photograph Murray Biddle.