Arthur Clarke
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Alfred Clarke and Louisa Caroline Bond married in Heatherlands, Dorset on 18 Dec 1886. Alfred was a bricklayer by trade and by 1891 the couple had had two children, Alfred and Florence but unfortunately Florence died. In 1894 Arthur was born. By 1900 the family had moved from Dorset and were living in Perlethorpe cum Budby, Notts where their third child, Clarence was born. Ten years later and Arthur was working as a servant footman age 16, with 10 other servants in a 27 roomed accommodation at Retford whilst his parents were living in the vicarage at Ranskill under the roof of clergyman Ernest Perkins and where Louisa was employed as the house keeper.
Arthur enlisted in Sheffield on 6th March 1916 , he went to France on 15th January 1917. he was killed in action on 20th November 1917 and is buried at Hermies Hill British Cemetery, France grave reference II B 31
Pte Arthur Clark Retford Times 21st December 1917 Sincere sympathy is felt with Mr and Mrs L Clark of No 6 Ollerton Road, Retford in the death of their son, Private Arthur Clark, who was killed in action in France on November 20th. He was 23 years of age and enlisted on March 6th 1916. He was home on leave a year ago and looked the picture of health. He went to France on January 15th this year and saw a lot of hard fighting. Previous to coming to Retford Mr Clark lived at Ranskill and carried on the business of a builder, in which his son, who was educated at Torworth School, assisted him. He was a very promising young man and was very highly respected by a large circle of friends at Ranskill and Retford. The officer in charge of his Company writing to his mother says:- “He was always a cheerful and conscientious soldier and an example to the remainder of his section. His death will be mourned by his many pals who have lost a gallant soldier and a personal friend. Please accept my personal sympathy in your great loss. He died a gallant soldier’s death”. One of the deceased’s chums writes, “Arthur was a good lad and everybody in our company liked him. I know it will be a great loss to you and many others.”
