John's Story.
Birkenhead News 18 August 1917SAD LOSS FOR BIRKENHEAD FAMILY.
Official intimation has been received by Mrs. Clarke, of Central Lodge, Ashville Road, that her son, Pte. John Clarke, died of wounds on March 27th, 1917, at which time he was reported wounded and missing. He joined the Cheshire Regt., in January, 1915, was at Suvla Bay landing, and invalided home with dysentery. He was then sent to Egypt in January, 1916, and was reported wounded and missing. His commanding officer in a letter to his people writes :- “There is not a man in my platoon whose loss is more keenly felt both by comrades and officers. He was an unfailing example of cheerfulness and endurance, and proved himself a cool, brave fellow in action.” His officer also says:- “With the wound he received it would be absurd to say he suffered no pain, but he never complained, just ‘stuck it’ as he stuck everything else, and died as he had lived, a fine specimen of a British soldier.” Prior to joining the Army he was employed by Mrs. Rae as a gardener, and was an old Laird Street School boy. Pte. John Clarke was very well-known in the North End, and he resided with his parents at Central Lodge, Ashville Road. Mr. Clarke’s other two sons are also in the Army. Sapper P. Clarke joined the Cheshires last December, and he is now in training in Kent awaiting orders to go out. He was employed at Jones’, Westbourne Road, and Pte. W. Clarke joined the Cheshires in the early part of 1916, and is now in Mesopotamia, where he has been since December last. He was employed as a gardener in Noctorum. Both brothers resided at Central Lodge, Ashville Road.