Clarence Joseph Priest
He was a painter and decorator.
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
Clarence was the son of Alfred and Mary Elizabeth Priest (née Hewitt).
His father Alfred was born in 1859 in Oldbury, Worcestershire, the son of John and Ann Priest. Alfred, a house painter, had moved to Nottingham by 1881 when he was a boarder, living on March Street. His mother Mary Elizabeth was born in Hammersmith, London, in 1864.
Alfred and Mary were married at Nottingham St Nicholas on 6 August 1883 and had twelve children between 1885 and 1909, five of whom had died in infancy or childhood by 1911. Eleven of their children have been traced: Lily Ann b. 1885, George William b. 1886 (OND) d. 1886 (OND), Bertha b. 1887 (OND) d. 1887 (OND), Alfred b. 1891 (AMJ), Clarence Joseph b. 1893, Hilda May b. 1896 d. 1914, Clarice Mary b. 1898, Olive Eveline b. 1902 (JFM) d. 9 March 1905, Phyllis Elizabeth b. 1903 d. 7 March 1905, Stanley Frederick b. 1906 (JFM) d. 1910 (JFM) and George Alec b. 1909. Baptismal records have been found for George and Bertha, both of whom were baptised at Sneinton St Matthias, George William on 25 October 1886 (b. 5 October) and Bertha on 2 October 1887 (b. 1 October). All the children were born in Sneinton.
Alfred and Mary were living at 49 Davis Street, Sneinton, when two of their children, George (d. 1886) and Bertha (d. 1887), were baptised, but by 1891 were living at 27 Randolph Street, Nottingham, with their two surviving children, Lilian (sic) and James.
Their son Alfred was born later that year and then three children were born between 1893 and 1898.
In 1901 the family was living at 38 Campbell Grove, Nottingham. All six surviving children were in the home on the night of the census: Lily, a warehouse hand, James, Alfred, Clarence, Hilda and Clarice.
Alfred and Mary had four children, Olive, Phyllis, Stanley and George Alec, between 1902 and 1909; all but George died in infancy or early childhood.
By the time of the 1911 Census, Alfred, a painter journeyman, and his wife were living at 78 Radford Road, Nottingham. Their seven surviving children were living at home: Lily Ann, a machinist, James (no occupation), Alfred a trimmer/hosiery, Clarence, a house painter, Hilda, Clarice and Alec (George Alec).
Their daughter Hilda died three years later in 1914 aged 18 (buried General Cemetery).
Alfred completed a form for the Army in February 1920 listing his son's surviving blood relatives: parents of 20 Ella Road, West Bridgford; William (31), 5 St Paul's Terrace, Hyson Green; Alfred (28), 31 Bradgate Road, Hyson Green; George Alec (10), 20 Ella Road; Lily Priest-sic [Bovey] (34), 7 St Stephen's Avenue, Sneinton; Clarice (21), 20 Ella Road.
Alfred and Mary had moved to 20 Ella Road by at least 1915 when their son Clarence enlisted. By 1921 only Clarice and George were still living with them.
The eldest daughter, Lily, had married Fred Bovey in 1911 and in 1921 they and their son, Frederick Charles, were living at 7 St Stephen's Avenue, Sneinton. By 1939 when the England & Wales Register was compiled, they had moved to 20 Elmsthorpe Avenue, Lenton, and Lily, by now widowed, was still at the same address at the time of her death in February 1964. She was survived by her son.
The eldest son, Alfred, had married May Lilley in 1915 (JFM), and they and their three children, Stanley, Ernest and Hilda Margaret, were living at 31 Bradgate Road in 1921. In 1939 Alfred, a hosiery trimmer, and May, were recorded at 31 Osburton Street with their four children; the youngest, Alfred, had been born in 1922. Alfred snr. died in 1949.
James had also married in 1915 (OND), to Ethel Emma Simpson, and they had one daughter, Hilda M (b. 1916). In 1939 they were living at 56 Ladybay Road, West Bridgford; James was a greengrocer/dealer (own account). James died in December 1945; home address Oakfield Road, West Bridgford.
The youngest brother, George, married Alice Ashley in 1932 and in 1939 they and their son Geoffrey were living at 58 Ladybay Road, West Bridgford. George was a greengrocer (own account). He died in 1975.
Clarice married John H Kingsland in 1923 and in 1939 they were living at 246 Bathley Street, Meadows, with their two children. She died in 1984.
Their mother, Mary Elizabeth, died in December 1944 aged 80. She and her husband, who had retired by 1939, were still living at 20 Ella Road. Administration of her Will was awarded to her husband Alfred and son James. Alfred died in 1952 aged 93.
Clarence Joseph Priest enlisted at West Bridgford on 11 December 1915; he was a painter and decorator and living with his parents at 20 Ella Road, West Bridgford.
He was posted to the Army Reserve the following day and was not mobilised until 3 February 1916.
He was posted to the 3rd Battalion Sherwood Foresters (34488) on 5 February 1917 but transferred on 28 April the same year to the Home Service Employment Company of the Labour Corps (355th Home Service Works).
Clarence served on the home front throughout the war and the 'Protection Certificate and Certificate of Identity (Soldier not remaining with the Colours)', was issued at Clipstone Camp, Nottinghamshire, a dispersal camp, on 6 February 1919 when he was granted 28 days furlough.
Clarence died at his parents' home, 20 Ella Road, of pneumonia on 16 February 1919 and was buried in Nottingham General Cemetery on 22 February.
His Army service record contains documents relating to his illness, death and the subsequent funeral arrrangements.
Letter dated 15 February 1919 from JW Mirton MB Surgeon: ‘I hereby certify that Pte CJ Priest is suffering from pneumonia and is unable to follow his employment.’
Memo dated 18 February 1919 from Labour Corps Record Office, 32 Carrington St., Nottingham to the Officer Commanding 512th H.S. Employment Coy, Talbot Street, Nottingham: 'Ref: Late 185828 Pte. Priest CJ, 355th HS Wks. Coy. Lab. Corps, 20 Ella Road, West Bridgford, Nottingham. The above named soldier died at the above address. I shall be glad if you will arrange for a bearer party [four] for the funeral, which is on Saturday 22nd inst., signed Lieut. (-) for Colonel i/c Labour Corps Records'
Letter dated 19 February 1919 to Mr Priest, 20 Ella Road, West Bridgford, from Lieutenant (-) for Colonel i/c Labour Corps Records, Labour Corps Record Office, 32 Carrington St., Nottingham: 'Sir, Instructions have been given to the Officer Commanding 512th Home Service Employment Coy, that your wishes in respect of provision of a bearer party only, for the funeral of your son, late No. 185828 Pte. CJ Priest, are to be complied with. Yours faithfully etc.'
Other correspondence between the Labour Corps Records Office and the OC 512th HS Employment Company refers to the arramgements and timing of the funeral which would start from the family home in West Bridgford.
Nottingham General Cemetery: 'In loving memory of Clarnce J Priest who died Feby. 16th 1919, aged 25 years.' The headstone also commemorates four of Clarence's siblings who predeceased him, Phyllis (1905), Olive (1905), Stanley (1910) and Hilda (1914) and also their mother, Mary Elizabeth (1944).
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 10 March 1905: ‘Priest. On the 7th inst., at 19 Sneinton-boulevard, Phyllis, the beloved child of Alfred and Mary Elizabeth Priest, aged 16 months.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 10 March 1905: ‘Priest. On the 9th inst., at 19 Sneinton-boulevard, Olive, the beloved child of Alfred and Mary Elizabeth Priest, aged three years.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 9 March 1906: ‘Priest. In loving memory of our beloved children, Phyllis and Olive, died March 7th and 9th, 1905. Although one year has passed away, still we miss them day by day. Father and mother.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 13 July 1914: ‘Priest. On 10th inst., at 20, Ella-road, Hilda May, second daughter of Alfred and Elizabeth Priest, after great suffering. Funeral General Cemetery, 2.30, top chapel.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 10 July 1915: ‘Priest. In ever loving memory of Hilda, who entered into rest July 10th, 1914. Ever remembered by Lily and Fred [Bovey].’
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 10 July 1915: ‘Priest. In loving memory of our dear daughter Hilda, who died July 10th, 1914. We think of her in silence, And her name we often call, But there’s nothing else to answer, But her photo. on the wall. From father, mother, sisters, and brothers.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
CWGC Additional information: Son of Mrs Priest, of 20, Ella Road, West Bridford.
Nottingham Evening Post, 'Deaths', 17 February 1919: 'Priest. Pte C.J. Priest third and beloved son of Alfred and Mary Priest, died of pneumonia February 16th 1919 aged 25 years of 20 Ella Road, West Bridgford. Peace after pain – From broken hearted family.'
Peter Gillings. Additional research/record updated RF (Oct. 2025)
Photo of Clarence Joseph Priest
Grave, Nottingham General Cemetery. Rachel Farrand (Oct. 2025)
Photo of Clarence Joseph Priest
Grave, Nottingham General Cemetery. Rachel Farrand (Oct. 2025)