Vincent Enoch Clarke
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Vincent Enoch Clarke was born in 1893 at Hucknall he was the son of Enoch a coal miner hewer and Myrah Clarke, née Shelton of 48 Morven Street, Creswell. Enoch was born in 1872 at Hucknall Myrah Shelton was born in 1870 at Hamstall, Staffordshire, they were married in 1891 their marriage was recorded in the Basford registration district, they had 4 children in 1891 they lived at 24 Morven Street Cresswell Derbyshire and in 1901 at 81 Albert Street Hucknall. In 1911 they had returned to Cresswell and lived at 48 Morven Street. In the 1911 census the family are living at 48 Morven Street, Creswell, Enoch 39 yrs is a coal miner hewer, he is living with his wife Myrah 41 yrs and their children, Vincent Enoch 18 yrs a coal miner, Thomas Edward 16 yrs a coal miner, Samuel 1 yrs and Cyril 8 yrs.
Private Vincent Enoch Clarke, enlisted at Worksop whilst living at Creswell. He initialled served with service number 11528 in the Leicestershire Regiment , later transferring to the 9th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire) Regiment, attached 8th Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment, he was killed in action on 9th August 1916. He is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, France. Victor was one of five men to die on 9th August, despite the battalion war diaries saying it was a 'quiet' period. Aerial activity by the enemy was a problem and this aerial spotting brought down artillery on the battalion particularly near HQ. The period from 9 a.m. on 8th until 10 a.m. on 9th, also saw a continuous gas alert,
An article published in the Derbyshire Courier dated 26th August 1916 :- “Mr and Mrs Enoch Clarke, Morven-street, Creswell, have received intimation that their son, Private Vincent Clarke, South Staffordshire Regiment, was killed on 9 August. He was on patrol duty, and was struck with a shell, which killed him instantaneously. News of his death was conveyed by Lance-Corporal S. Gascoyne, who wrote: –– “Dear Mr and Mrs Clarke, –– It is with the deepest regret I have to inform you of poor Vincent’s death, for he, with several others, was struck down at 4.30 a.m. on 9 August, death being instantaneous. He never murmured after he was struck. Believe me, he died a soldier doing his best for honour of his King and country. He never grumbled, and was always amiable and willing. He was a great favourite of mine, as he was in my section all the time in the Eastern Counties, and was well liked by every one of us. I saw him buried and I put a small cross on his grave. Rest assured he never knew any pain. With deepest sympathy in your sad bereavement, in which all Vincent’s comrades join.”“Second-Lieut. F. Kits also wrote: “I was in the same portion of line as your son, and although I did not know him I can sympathise with you in your trouble. All our lads did their work well.”“His brother enlisted in August, 1914, and was drafted to France in January, 1915. He was wounded in the following April, and remained in hospital until September, when he went to Egypt, removing thence to France about a month before he laid down his life. Before enlisting he worked at Creswell Colliery, and, like his hero brother, was very popular amongst his work-mates and villagers generally.” Above article is courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great Hucknall 1914-1918. One of his brothers was killed but the details did not fit with those given here. Pte. Thomas Edward Clarke, also born in Hucknall, was killed in action on 19th June 1915 while serving with 1st Battalion Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regiment. He is buried in Neuve-Chapelle British Cemetery.
