202153, Private, Harry Robert CLOW
Aged 19


1st Battalion, Norfolk Regiment
Killed in Action on Tuesday 9th October 1917


Born in Newmarket in Q1-1898 [Newmarket 3b:524], son of Amos and Emma CLOW (née TURNER) of 1 Newington Terrace, Exning Road, Newmarket.

1901 census...Harry R[3] was at 1 Newington Terrace with his father Amos [44], a tailor born in Framlingham; his mother Emma [46] born Hundon and his brothers Frederick W [19]a porter,Bertie [17] a newsagents assistant, Ernest [12]; Frank [8]; Sidney [5] and sisters Alice M [14] and Ethel M [13]. All the children are recorded as Exning born.

1911 census...Harry [13], still living at 1 Newington Terrace with his widowed father; brothers Frederick William, a drapers porter; Bertie, a domestic gardener; Frank, a grocers porter; and Sidney, a grocers porter,together with sister Emma Jessie May[26] housekeeper born Newmarket.The three youngest boys are now recorded as born in Newmarket.
His mother died in 1902.

The War Memorial seems to be the only place where he is recorded as Robert, elsewhere he is always Harry Robert. He enlisted in Newmarket

Robert's elder brother Bert was killed in 1916.. see here



His entry in "Our Exning Heroes" reads:
"Born at 1, Newington Terrace, in 1898, and educated at Exning Road School, he was working at Mr.Palmer's, the fruiterer, when war broke out. He joined up directly he was 18, and was in training in England for about seven months. He went to France in May, 1916, and was reported missing- believed killed - on October 9th, 1917.
He was a good footballer, and often played in the boys' teams of the district. He was at the Congregational Sunday School, and attended the Bible Class there, also a member of the Congregational troop of Scouts. He was in the 1st Norfolk Regiment."


1st Battalion Norfolk Regiment landed at Le Havre in Auguat 1914. They spent most of their time in France with two spells on the Ypres salient.
On October 9th 1917 as part of 15th Brigade, 5th Division they were ordered to attack German positions on a five mile wide frontage in the pouring rain. The assaulting battalions (the 1st Norfolks and 16th Royal Warwicks ) suffered dreadfully as they attacked the heavily fortified Polderhoek Chateau which stood 600 yards north of Gheluvelt - the position that would not fall for several more weeks despite the growing casualty list.
A report from their Major put the lack of success down to the appalling weather and exhaustion of the men. The 1st Norfolks lost 43 killed on this day, only 14 have identified graves. The regiment's history recorded a further 144 wounded and 112 missing. Only one officer was left to organise the three leading companies the next day.





Polderhoek Chateau before war, the terrain in 1917, the effects of war
photos from 1914-1918.invisionzone.com (cnock)



No known grave - Robert is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium. Ref:panels 34.35 and 162A
and also commemorated on the Roll of Honour of the Congregational Church, Newmarket
and is also commemorated on the Roll of Honour in St Philip & St Etheldreda's Church, Exning Road.

click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details


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