CLARKE, Benjamin


No.23244, Private, Benjamin CLARKE
Aged 22


9th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
Died of his Wounds on Monday, 1st October 1917


Benjamin Clarke was born in Kedington (Risbridge Q3-1894 4A:674), son of George and Eliza CLARKE (née CLAYDON ? ). He can be variously Clark or Clarke

1901 census...Aged 6, he was at Ruse's Farm, Calford Green, Sturmer Road, Kedington with his father George CLARK [45] a horsekeeper born Stoke by Clare; his mother Eliza [43] born Stoke by Clare; brothers Samuel [21] horseman, born Stoke by Clare, Harry [15] stock man and Thomas [4] both born Kedington; sisters (all born in Kedington) Kate [11], Annie [10] and Martha [8].

His father died in 1903.

1911 census...Aged 16, a farm labourer, he was still at Ruse's Farm with his widowed mother; brothers Samuel and Harry (both horsekeepers) and Thomas (stock man); sisters Ruth [23] born Kedington) and Martha.

CWGC have the address as Kings Hill, Kedington

His brother Thomas CLARKE M.M. was killed serving in France in the Suffolk Regiment in 1918 see here





He enlisted in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire.

He died at No 49 Casualty Clearing Station at Contay. With no Army service record available it is impossible to say exactly when or were he was wounded, but as he died in a C.C.S it would have been quite close and quite recent. The battalion had been involved (and suffered heavy casualties) in the capture and defence of HESSIAN Trench in the last days of September, part of the attack on Thiepval.



A headstone showing its age




photo: Commonwealth War Graves Commission



Benjamin Clarke is buried in Contay British Cemetery, grave 1:E:2

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


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