ROBERT CLARKE 

Weaverham St. Mary's “Roll of Honour” records 10 lads named Clarke two of which are recorded as “Fallen.”

H. (Herbert) Clarke; Weaverham, see story for Herbert under R.o.H. Listings.

?J. Clarke; At this stage, 30//3/2023, no idea.

J. (James) Clarke; “Fallen” Weaverham.

R. (Robert) Clarke; “Fallen” Weaverham.

G. (George) Clarke; Acton Bridge (see Clarke of Acton Bridge)

J. (John) Clarke; Acton Bridge (see Clarke of Acton Bridge)

T. (Thomas) Clarke; Acton Bridge. (see Clarke of Acton Bridge)

W. (William) Clarke; Acton Bridge (see Clarke of Acton Bridge)

R. J. (Reginald James) Clarke; Cuddington. (see Cuddington Clarke)

S. (Sydney Llewellyn) Clarke; Acton Bridge (see Cuddington Clarke)

Harry Clarke, not listed, added to the Cuddington Clarke’s.

Oliver Clarke; not Listed but was a Weaverham lad, C.W.C.C. remember Oliver at St. Marys. His story is under is own name.

Robert (L/Cpl.) “Fallen.”

C.W.G.C. remember Robert at BLIGHTY VALLEY CEMETERY AUTHUILLE WOOD, France. Lance Corporal Clarke R. Service Number 13219. Died Saturday, August 26th 1916. 10th Bn. Cheshire Regiment.

Robert’s attestation and service documents are available. He was attested 1st Sept. 1914 in Northwich and his service reckons from that date. He lived with his sister, Nellie Clarke, at 19 Northwich Road, Weaverham, she was also his next of kin. Robert states he is a labourer and his age at 29yrs 10m. Robert stood 5ft 8in tall and his weight was 134lb, girth of 36ins and he had a fresh complexion, with brown hair and eyes.

Posting information has Robert posted with 8th Cheshires on the 4/9/14; posted with 9th 11/10/14; appointed (paid) L/Cpl. 30/4/15; posted 10th Pte. 15/9/15, Exp. Force, France; 10th Pte. 26/10/15. The service documents questions if Robert was with the 9th Bat’n or the 10th Bat’n which required him to complete his attestation forms again. Nellie, his sister, had married by this time and was now Mrs. Williams and living in Salop. (Shrewsbury) Robert’s medals, death medal and scroll where issued to either James or John Clarke at 1 Church St. Weaverham. His sister Nellie, who was next of kin, was aware of the issue or had agreed to the medals being issue to the brothers, as there is a letter stating that the medals where for all Robert’s family.

The document recording Robert’s family, does not state a mother or father, he had no wife and no children. Two brothers James (42) and John (40), sister Mary A. (36) Cross, all living at 1 Church St. Weaverham and Nellie (30) Williams, living at 72 Church St., Wellington, Salop.

N.A.M.C. - confirm the Regimental details and Service number, He was awarded the British, Victory and 15 Star medals. Theatre of War was France, Date of Entry 26th Sept. 1915. K.I.A. 26-8-16.

Northwich Guardian, 1916, 8th Sept., (P5/C2); KILLED PRIVATE ROBERT CLARKE, WEAVERHAM.

News was receive on Friday that Private Robert Clarke, a well known and respected resident of the village had been killed in action. He was the youngest son of the late Mr. William Clarke, who was formerly in the employ of Mr. C. Humfrey, of Hartford, as gardener. Since the death of his father, Private Clarke had made his home with his uncle, Mr. J. Johnson, who is Hon. secretary of the Weaverham Institute. Since leaving school Private Clarke had been in the employ of Messrs, Brunner Mond and Co. at Winnington and like many boys from the village, his patriotism asserted itself at the beginning of the war and in August 1914 he joined the Cheshire Regiment. He was selected to serve in the machine-gun section when the regiment was ordered to France some twelve months ago. Since being on active service he had no furlough but every week his uncle received a letter describing the progress of our troops and other interesting items connected with the doings of his own regiment in particular. Private Clarke’s grandparents are two of the oldest residents of the village. It was their great wish to have seen their grandson home again and to have heard from his lips about the war. Many a time during the last two years the old gentleman has said “ It’s very hard as I can’t now see to read about the war, but Bob will tell us all about it when he comes home.” The Weaverham Institute had lost one of its most popular members. Private Clarke was a good all-round sportsman and had the happy knack of making friends wherever he went. As a billiard player he had few equals in the club and he was also a bowler of no mean repute. He was the first to win the handsome billiard challenge cup presented by Mr. Sydney Frankenberg, of Hefferstone Grange. This was in the season of 1910, when he defeated Mr. W. Johnson in the final. He again figured as a billiard finalist in 1912 but on that occasion was beaten by Mr. C. Buckley. During the time that the Institute completed in the Mid-Cheshire Bowling League he always merited his place in the team and was admittedly one of the finest bowlers connected with the Institute. In 1913 he was the winner of a splendid set of bowls and cowhide bag presented by Mr. H. F. Pilling of Mere Brow. He was a member of the Weaverham football team when the villagers had the distinction of winning the “de Koop” cup and had one of the gold medals presented by the Captain de Koop.

LETTERS FROM COMRADES.

The first intimation which Mr. Johnson had of his nephew’s death was a letter from Private Colliers which arrived on Friday morning and reads as follows:- “It is my painful duty to let you know the sad fate which has befallen Bob. He was sitting in a dug-out when a large German Shell came and knocked it in, burying Bob and several of his comrades. It happened about five o’clock last night (Friday) August 25th. I saw Bob three days ago. He was then in the best of health and said he never felt better in his life. It came as a great shock to me when I heard of his death. He has died fighting for his King and country. A more glorious death no man can have and his pals told me to-day that he will be missed more than any other man in the machine-gun section, as he could be trusted to do whatever he was asked to do so well and he was always cheerful. A better pal one could never wish to have. It will be a great shock to you all but I trust God will give you strength to bear your trouble and I am sure it will give you some consolation to know that he died for God, King and country. Break the news gently to his grandmother and grandfather and tell them from me that he was quite prepared to meet his Maker. Trusting God will give you all strength to bear up in your great loss. Please give my deepest sympathy to all his relations.”

Another letter was received by Mr. Johnson on Monday from Corporal S. Woodward, also of Weaverham, who wrote:- “It is with the deepest sorrow I have to inform you that poor Bob was killed the last time we were in the trenches and I hope you will all try and bear it as bravely as possible. When I heard the sad news it upset me as much as when my brother was killed but let us try to think we shall see them in a better place some day, for he has died with a great honour to his name. I often need to think that if you, Bob, Harry, and myself would ever meet again on the bowling green as I always used to enjoy a game with Bob. I know where he is buried but when I attempted to go across and have a look at his grave, the Germans started shelling us. I have to pass near to the spot almost every day and I shall visit his grave very often. I hope it may be some comfort to you to know that he is resting in peace.” “I know how sad you all will be in the village, as there are only five, including myself left now in this division. I can assure you that our village lads have gone through something and I can only hope that those of us who are left will have the luck to return.” Private Eddie Gordon, writing to his mother says:- “I am very sorry to tell you that Bob Clarke was killed on Friday August 25th by a shell which buried him. I was close to him at the time and saw it done. I also helped to carry him out of the trenches. We are all very sorry and would you tell his relatives that they have our deepest sympathy and that we trust God will comfort them in their great loss.”

An Officer’s Tribute.

A lieutenant of the company to which the deceased belonged in a letter to Private Clarke’s sister date August 29th states:- “I regret to inform you that your brother, Private Robert Clarke, was killed in action on Friday last. He was in charge of a party of men, during a very heavy bombardment and was killed instantaneously by the explosion of a big shell. I had not come across him much until two days before his death but I have inquired of others who knew him better and all agree that he was a cool and courageous soldier and I am sure you would have the sincerest sympathy of all the officers and men in this battalion. He has been buried in a military cemetery near by.”

Northwich Guardian, 1916, 6th Oct., (P5/C2); TRIBUTE TO WEAVERHAM HERO. THE LATE PRIVATE ROBERT CLARKE,

Mr. J. Johnson, secretary to the Weaverham Recreation Club, has received a letter from a Northwich Sergeant in the Cheshire Regiment, respecting his nephew, the late Private Robert Clarke, who was killed in action some weeks ago, as reported in the “Guardian.” The letter is from Sergeant A. E. Pass and it reads:- “He did his duty and was always ready for anything he was told do to. Our chaplain passed a remark to me that we had lost a good man. If I have the luck to get through the war, I will pay you a visit and tell you more about it. I live at Northwich myself and was a big friend of Robert’s.” “I must say we are proud of the boys from Weaverham we have in our battalion, for they are a good lot of lads, in fact, I don’t think anyone in the regiment is better than Eddie Gordon. No doubt you will know him. I have seen him walking about as if he was at Northwich, he didn’t seem to trouble about the shells. He has been rather unlucky for not having some honours awarded to him. Several officers took his name for bravery at one place and then the officers were killed, so poor Eddie never got anything. Eddie and I have had plenty of runs together in the Northwich Harriers. You can take it from me the boys of Weaverham are something to be proud of. I trust you will believe that Robert will be missed in the Machine-gun Section for he was well liked and one of the old hands, as we call them. Please accept the deepest sympathy from all his pals and myself.”

The 1911 census finds Robert living at Copy Hold Weaverham

Robert Head, age 25, General Labourer, Alkali, born Weaverham

John Son, age 33, General Labourer Refining Co., Weaverham

Nellie Daughter, age 21, Housekeeper Dom., Weaverham

Lily Burgess Boarder, age 21, Domestic Servant, Weaverham

The 1901 census finds Robert living on Forest St. Weaverham

William Head, age 49, Gardner, born Kingsley

John Son, age 21, Chemical Labourer, Weaverham

Robert Son, age 14, Errand Boy-Post, Weaverham

The 1901 census helps to understand the 1911 census, father has died, Robert has become head of the family. John should be “brother” and Nellie “sister”. The Guardian articles do not mention a brother serving so it is accepted that the J. Clarke listed above is unlikely to be connected to this family named Clarke.

Research Bob Heaton