Thomas Henry Clark
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Thomas was born in Walkeringham in 1889 the son of William, a farmer and coal dealer and Susannah Clark nee Chappell. He came from a very large family having 8 sisters and five brothers. By the time of the 1911 census he is having to make his way in the world as both his mother and father have died , his father in 1913 and mother in 1912. In 1911 he using the name Henry and is living with William Cook and his wife at Lime Sidings, Kirton Lindsay in the parish of Hibaldstow, Lincolnshire. He is 22 years of age , single and a waggoner working at the farm. It must have been while he was living at this address that he met his future wife Edith Annie Hurd. Soon after his enlistment in September 1914 he married Edith Annie, on 12th December 1914 at the local parish church of St Hybald, Hibaldstow. They lived at 6 Lime Sidings Kirton Lyndsey near to the lime works. After his death Edith remained at Lime sidings and was informed by a letter from the war office dated 28th June 1916 that she would receive a pension of 10 shillings (50 pence) a week with effect from 4th July 1916.
Thomas enlisted soon after war was declared at Brigg, Lincolshire on 12th September 1914 and had a medical at Scunthorpe on 14th September and was passed fit for duty and was posted into the 7th Battalion of the Lincolnshire Regiment. He gave his age when attesting as 26 years and 62 days , stated he was a farm labourer. He was killed on 15th December 1915 and is buried in the Menin Road South Military Cemetery. Pte Thomas Henry Clark Retford Times 21 Jan 1916 Our sympathy is shown with the widow and family of Pte Thomas Henry Clark, who was born and bred in Walkeringham. Pte Clark joined the 7th Lincolns, ‘D’ Company in August 1914, had a short furlough and went to France last July. He was only 24 years of age and unfortunately leaves a young widow at Kirton in Lindsey. The young widow has received a message of sympathy from the King signed by Lord Kitchener. Also have come to hand letters of comfort and sympathy from his comrades and a lieutenant, who writes:- “I have just heard with great sorrow of your husband having been killed in Ypres. While we were out in Flanders your husband looked after my things for me and I became very much attached to him. In his death I have realised that I have lost one of the best friends I ever had and the regiment one of the cheeriest and best men in it. He was a good soldier and was afraid of nothing: never failed in his duty and what was better still, was never depressed. There’s no more to say – he died the best death a man can die, and we know from knowing him that he met it, like everything else, cheerful and willingly. Believe me that I share with you in your sorrow at your bereavement. You have lost your husband and I have lost a friend.” We understand that Pte Clark was a soldier in the Savation Army. In a letter from Lieut C H Waldron this officer says:- “It is my painful duty to write to you about your husband’s death. He was killed by shrapnel yesterday afternoon while on his way to join us from headquarters. He was such a nice cheery soul that we one and all loved him, and many are the times he has kept everybody’s spirits going strong with his merry laugh and singing. We have been having some great hardships but in them all he was always the same, and we shall miss him greatly. I hope you will accept the very sincere sympathy of all his officers and comrades in your great loss.”
CWGC - Husband of Edith Annie Clark, of 6, Lime Siding, Kirton Lindsey, Lincs.
