Clarence Kirkland
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Clarence Kirkland was born in 1893 at Selston he was the son of Nehemiah a coal miner hewer and Alice Kirkland née Dean and the brother of Joe, Albert, Archibald, Alice and Rita Kirkland. Nehemiah was born in 1852 at Kirkby, Alice Dean was born in 1854 at Kirkby they were married on 26th December 1876 at St Wilfrids Church, Kirkby in Ashfield. they had 5 children. In 1911 the family lived on Station Road Selston, Nethemiah 59 yrs is a coal miner, he is living with his wife Alice 57 yrs and their 5 children including Clarence 18 yrs a coal miner loader.
Sergeant Clarence Kirkland enlisted on 19th September 1914 at Mansfield, giving his age as 22 yrs and 128 days, and occupation as a coal miner. Posted to the Sherwood Foresters Regiment, he landed in France on 27th August 1915 promoted to Lance Corporal on 5th December 1915 and Sergeant on 22nd July 1916. He was returned to England on 22nd November 1916 suffering from Shell shock and was discharged as medically unfit with shell shock on 5th April 1917 He was awarded the Silver War badge, No 155543 and also awarded a bar to his Military Medal. He died on 22nd February 1920 and is buried in Selston (St Helen) churchyard.
Military Medal Citation: awarded 11/11/1916, for his gallantry and devotion to duty when in the attack at Flers Le Sars on 1st October 1916. The bar was awarded for gallantry and devotion to duty when in the trenches in front of Sanctuary Wood between 21st and 26th October 1916. Headstone, Selston (St Helen) churchyard: 'In loving memory of Clarence, the beloved son of Nehemiah and Alice Kirkland, late Sergt MM and bar, 11th Sherwood Foresters, who died February 21st 1920 aged 27 years. Greater love hath no man than this that a man lays down his life for his friends. A token of respect from his comrades and friends.'
