Clarence Herbert Bacon
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Clarence Herbert was the son of George and Ann Bacon (née Peach). His father George was born in Annesley in about 1860, the son of Charles and Mary Ann Bacon. In 1861 the family was living in the village of Felley where his father worked as a gamekeeper. His mother Ann was born in Kimberley, Nottinghamshire, in 1859, the daughter of Richard and Hannah Peach, who were living in Alma, Selston, in 1861. George and Ann were married in 1881 and had ten children, one of whom died in infancy. Their surviving children were: Annie Maud birth registered 1883 (J/F/M), Joseph George Bernard b. 1885 and Richard Harold b. 1886 who were born in Selston and Norman Howard b. 1888, Jessie Hannah Rossiter b. 1889, Blanche Peach b. 1891, Elsie Elizabeth birth registered 1893 (J/F/M), Arthur Everitt b. 1895 and Clarence Herbert b. 1897 who were born in Bulwell. The child who died in infancy may have been Gladys May b. 1901 d. 1902 (reg. J/F/M). George and his wife had moved from Selston to Bulwell by 1888 when their fourth child was born and were recorded at Northcote Street on the 1891 Census. George was employed as a contractor at a coal mine. The family was still at the same address in 1901: George a coal contractor salesman, his wife and their children Annie Maud (18) a lace dresser, Joseph (16) a horse driver (pit), Richard (15) a carriage wheel maker, Norman (13) a carriage wheel painter, Jessie (10), Blanche (9), Elsie (8), Arthur (6) and Clarence (3). Richard attested in the Militia in 1906. He was living his parents who were now at 43 Ingram Road, Highbury Vale, Bulwell. Ann died in 1908 and was buried in Northern Cemetery, Bulwell. Her husband George, a coal miner hewer, was still living at 43 Ingram Road in 1911. Six of his nine children, were in the home on the night of the census: Norman a wagon painter (railway), Jessie who was housekeeper to the family, Blanche a curtain folder (lace finishing), Elsie a sewing machinist and overlocker (lace finishing), Arthur a perambulator painter (pram carriage building) and Clarence. Joseph had married in 1904 and was living with his wife Annie (née Brown) and their two children in Highbury Vale, Bulwell. The eldest daughter Annie Maud and second son Richard Harold have not yet been traced after 1901. Clarence attested in May 1916. He gave his address and that of his father, his next of kin, as 28 Albert Street, Bulwell. George died in January 1955. The probate record gave his address as Selston; Administration was awarded to his married daughter Jessie Cordy (m. 1912, Joseph Cordy).
2/5th Bn The Prince of Wales's (North Staffordshire Regiment). The battalion was a Territorial Force battalion was formed at Hanley on 1 November 1914 as a second line unit. It served in Ireland in April 1916 in response to the Easter Rising and remained until January 1917. The battalion transferred to the BEF France and landed at Le Havre on 25 February 1917. Clarence received a notice dated 26 April 1916 'to men who belong to the Army Reserve' to present himself 'at the Labour Exchange, Nottingham, on 10 May 1916, no later than 9.0 am.' The notice suggests that he had previously attested and been transferred to the Army Reserve pending mobilisation. His service record has previous service numbers 45898 and 6139 and he may have been posted initially to the Notts & Derby Regiment. On mobilisation, Clarence was posted initially to the 2/7th Bn. South Staffordshire Regiment, then to the 2/5th Bn. North Staffordshire Regiment. Clarence joined on 10 May 1916 and served in Dublin; he was there by September of that year as there is a record that he was charged on the 16th of that month with having a 'dirty rifle on rifle inspection' for which he was awarded 2 days CB [confined to barracks]. The battalion then served with the BEF France from 25 February 1917. Clarence was reported missing in action on 21 March 1918, the first day of the German Spring offensive, and his death was later presumed on that date. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial (Bay 7 & 8). Service: Home 10 May 1916-24 February 1917 (291 days), BEF 25 February 1917-21 March 1918 (1 year 25 days). Total 1 year 316 days. Qualified for the British War Medal and Victory Medal. CWGC - History of the Arras Memorial: The Memorial is adjacent to the Faubourg-d'Amiens Cemetery. The Memorial 'commemorates almost 35,000 servicemen from the United Kingdom, South Africa and New Zealand who died in the Arras sector between the spring of 1916 and 7 August 1918, the eve of the Advance to Victory, and have no known grave. The most conspicuous events of this period were the Arras offensive of April-May 1917, and the German attack in the spring of 1918.' (www.cwgc.org)
His brother Richard attested in the Militia (4th Bn Derbyshire Regiment) on 28 August 1906. He was 20 years old and an engine cleaner (Midland Railway Company). He completed 49 days initial training and was present for training in 1907 and 1908. He was discharged from the Militia on 3 January 1910 'under Authority of W.O. Letter No. 91/44?/48 a/29 November 1909.' Clarence's brother, Arthur Everitt, served in France with the 1/6th Bn. Sherwood Foresters (266406 Private) and was killed in action on 3 October 1918. He is buried in Joncourt Communal Cemetery. (See record on this Roll of Honour). Registers of Soldiers' Effects: his father George was his sole legatee. WW1 Pension Ledgers: named his father George, residence Bulwell.
