Ernest Fletcher Clarke
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Ernest Fletcher Clarke was born in 1887 the son of Alfred and Mary Clarke (née Fletcher). Alfred was born in 1865 at Ruddington, Nottinghamshire, Mary also in 1865 in Leicestershire. They were married at Nottingham St Ann on 5 April 1885 (A/M/J Nottingham) and had three children, two of whom died in infancy. Two of their three children were Ernest Fletcher birth registered 1887 (J/F/M Nottingham) and Alfred b. 1890 (A/M/J Nottingham/Fletcher) d. 1891 (O/N/D Nottingham). In 1891 Alfred (25) a brass foundry storekeeper and Mary (26) were living on Sydenham Street, Radford, with their sons Ernest (4) and Alfred (10 months). Alfred died later that year. By 1901 Alfred and Mary and their surviving son Ernest (14), a shoe maker, were living at 63 Bobbers Mill Road, Nottingham. Alfred (46), engineers' housekeeper, and Mary (46) had moved to 79 Bobbers Mill Road by 1911. Also in the household was a boarder, Henry J Rowell (22), an engineers' storekeeper. Ernest has not yet been traced on the 1911 Census; he would have been about 24 years old and may well have already joined the Merchant Navy. According to a notice in the local paper of Ernest's death his parents were still living at 79 Bobbers Mill Road; the Probate record gives Ernest's address as 129 Bobbers Mill Road. Alfred and Mary were living in Cropwell Bishop, Nottinghamshire, by 1920. Alfred Clarke died on 24 October 1922, Mary survived him.
SS Abadesa Ernest died at Boulogne Military Hospital on 11 January 1919 and was buried in Terlincthun British Cemetery, Wimille, Pas de Calais (grave ref. XIi A 6).
CWGC headstone personal inscription: 'Deeply loved & sorely missed but God knows and God cares' Nottingham Evening Post, 'Roll of Honour', 21 January 1919: 'Clarke. On January 11th at Boulogne Military Hospital, Ernest F. only son of Alfred and Mary Clarke, 79 Bobbersmill Road. God knows and He cares.' Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 11 January 1920: ‘In loving memory of Ernest F Clarke, only son of Mr and Mrs A Clarke, late of 79 Bobber’s Mill-road, now of Cropwell Bishop, died January 11th, 1919. Till we meet.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Probate: Clarke Ernest Fletcher of 127 Bobbers Mill-road Nottingham seaman in the merchant service died 11 January 1919 at Boulogne France Probate Nottingham 18 March to Alfred Clarke storekeeper. Effects £156 13s. 10d. Probate: Clarke Alfred of Cropwell Bishop Nottinghamshire died 24 October 1922 Probate Nottingham 29 December to Mary Clarke widow. Effects £108 17s. 2d. Ernest's name is included in: ‘The Cross of Sacrifice. The Officers, Men and Women of the Merchant Navy and Mercantile Fleet Auxiliary 1914-1919 by SD & DB Jarvis. Preface: ‘Clean, Simple, Valiant, Well Beloved, Flawless in Faith and Fame. Kipling Published 2000, The Naval & Military Press Ltd
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