No.63733, Sapper, Walter CLARKE
Aged 30
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Walter CLARK was born in Moulton in 1887 (Newmarket Q1-1887 3B:531) the son of Abraham Charles and Eliza Ann CLARK (née PEACHEY).
1891 census...Aged 4, he was at Sandpit Cottages, Moulton, with his father Abraham CLARK [38] carpenter, born Mildenhall; hi smother Eliza [39] born Mildenhall; sisters Kate [11], Edith [9], Frances [7], Lily [6] and Emily [8 months] and brother Russell [2]. All the children were born in Moulton. 1901 census...Aged 14, an apprentice carpenter, he was still at the Sandpits with his parents, sisters Frances, Emily and Faith [4] born Moulton and brother Russell and a boarder, Ernest CLARK [23] born Mildenhall (his uncle ?). 1911 census...Aged 24, single, a carpenter, he was at Moulton Lodge with his parents, brother Russell (a carpenter) and sister Faith. The family name now had the 'E'. He worked as a carpenter for William's Builder (now Collins) of Kennett. He married the day before his mobilisation. Father, Abraham, ran a building business from Chippenham Road. He married in 1916, to Florence Emily EVERED [3-12-1882], a grocer's daughter from Chevington. At the time of Walter's death she resided the The Shop, Chevington |
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He enlisted in Newmarket. The 102nd Field Company, Royal Engineers were attached to the 23rd Division. They were in the Messines area at this time, just prior to the firing of the mines Advanced Dressing Stations were placed in the dugouts and the farm in 1916 and 1917. Graves were made in small groups, without any definite arrangement and in the summer of 1917 a considerable number were obliterated by shell fire before they could be marked. This is why Walter's headstone states "Buried in this Cemetery" and does not specifically mark his grave. The Bury Free Press of 9th June 1017 reported:- ANOTHER MOULTON MAN KILLED ...News was received of the death of Mr. Walter Clarke who was killed in action in France. Deceased was aged 30 years, and was the oldest son of Mr. Abraham Clarke, of Moulton Lodge, and was employed by Mr. Holland, builder and contractor, Kennett. He was a young man of sterling worth and was well known to a large circle of friends and beloved by all whop knew him. On the outbreak of war deceased enlisted in the Royal Engineers. Another brother, Russell Clarke, also enlisted in the Royal Engineers. On obtaining leave in January 1916, deceased came home and was married, returning at once to the front. Great sympathy is expressed for the sorrowing widow, his parents and sisters. Mr. W. Clarke was also a chorister in the church choir. This makes the sixth soldier from Moulton who has made the supreme sacrifice..... Brothers Russell and Walter Clarke, served together in the Royal Engineers photo: Rodney Gibson click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
