Clarence William White
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Clarence William was the son of Thomas Taylor White and Ellen White (née Dix). His father Thomas was born in Birkenhead, Cheshire, in 1876 and his mother Ellen in Nottingham in 1877. His parents were married at Radford St Peter on 5 August 1895 and had two sons, Clarence William b. 1896 bap. Nottingham St Andrew 26 May 1896, and John Thomas birth registered 1898 (J/F/M) bap. Radford All Saints 1899. The family was living at Great Eastern Terrace, Nottingham, when Clarence was baptised in 1896 and at Wentworth Terrace, Nottingham, when John was baptised three years later. In 1901 Clarence and John were living with their maternal grandmother, Mary Bednall (née Dix) at Bagnaine Terrace, Nottingham. Neither of their parents have yet been traced on the census. However, by 1911 both boys were living with their widowed father, Thomas (34), a general labourer, at Brewitts Yard, Albion Street, Nottingham. Clarence was a paper sorter (paper factory). Also in the household was a housekeeper.
Clarence William White arrived in theatre (France) 2 May 1915. He was killed less than three weeks later on 22 May and is buried at Rue-Du-Bacquerot No 1 Military Cemetery, France, Grave Reference: I D 13. He qualified for the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. CWGC - History of Rue-Du-Bacquerot No. 1 Military Cemetery (extract): 'The Rue-du-Bacquerot runs south-east of the village, from the Estaires-La Bassee road towards Fleurbaix, and the position of this road close behind the Allied front trenches during the greater part of the First World War made it the natural line of a number of small Commonwealth cemeteries. One of these, begun by the Indian Corps in November 1914, was the nearest to the Estaires-La Bassee road and became known as Rue-du-Bacquerot No.1. The cemetery was used until May 1917, and for short periods in 1918, by the units holding the line. After the Armistice the small Indian plots were enlarged when graves were brought in from the battlefields and from smaller burials grounds.' (www.cwgc.org)
A probable link has been assumed between Clarence William White and C White on the St Ann's Parish and Congregation Memorial. People from outside St Ann's were evidently attracted to worship at this church. David Nunn Registers of Soldiers' Effects: Miss Cissie Smith/Miss Jane C Smith was his sole legatee.
