MAY CLOWES 1886–1977

Before the War

May was born in Barry, Glamorgan on 19th July 1886. In 1901, age 14, she was living at 80 Miall Street, Nottingham with her father John, 54, grocer shopkeeper, mother Clara, 49, sisters Edith, 28, grocer shopkeeper, Clara, 17, pupil teacher, and John’s nephew Frank Waite, 11.

By 1911, May, 24, was living at 6 Bulwer Road, Nottingham with her father John, brick burner, now a widower, and her sister Clara, elementary teacher employed by the City Council. May was a machinist in a hosiery warehouse. Her mother died in 1907.

During the War

The following information about May Clowes has been extracted from transcribed Red Cross Voluntary Aid Detachment records, available at www.redcross.org.uk

May’s home address was given as 6 Bulwer Road, Radford, Nottingham when she volunteered to serve as a V.A.D. in the Notts 42nd Voluntary Aid Detachment of the Red Cross. She served from 13th August 1918 in a paid clerical capacity at the Notts County War Hospital, Radcliffe on Trent. She was still serving there when her Red Cross V.A.D. record card was completed on 13th June 1919.

1921 Census

Address: 6 Bulwer Road, Nottm.

Employment: none

Household: father John, retired bricklayer, sister Clara, school teacher,

After the War

May remained single. In 1928 May and her sister Clara travelled to Canada from Liverpool as tourists. May’s occupation was given as housekeeper and Clara’s as teacher. In October 1929 May travelled again to Canada to stay with her sister Mrs Edith Hardy at 63, Bastedo Avenue, Toronto.

In 1939 May was living at 212 Sutton Passeys Crescent, Wollaton, Nottingham with her sister Clara Clowes. Her occupation was given as unpaid domestic duties and Clara’s as teacher.

May died on 22nd March 1977, age 90. Her address at date of death was The Hawthorns, Beckhampton Road, Bestwood Park, Nottingham.