CLARENCE JAMES MOODY 1886–1915

Born 14th October 1886, Gringley on the Hill

Married St Alban’s Church, Sneinton, Nottingham 30.4. 1914 to Edith A Dawson of Mount Pleasant, Radcliffe on Trent.

Son James Frederick born 6th May 1915, baptised St Mary’s Church, Radcliffe 4 July 1915

Killed in action, 24th November 1915, West Vlaanderen area, Flanders, age 29

Buried Ypres Reservoir Cemetery grave ref I. A. 34

Commemorated on Radcliffe on Trent War Memorial, Gringley on the Hill (Memorial Cross) and at Halifax Place Wesleyan Chapel, Nottingham. This memorial board is now housed in the Nottingham Central Methodist Mission on Low Pavement, Nottingham.

1891 Census

Age 5 living Gringley on the Hill with father James 38, a farmer and blacksmith, mother Harriet (Lovelace) 38 and brothers Henry, age eleven, Bertrand, nine, and sisters Ellen, thirteen, Sarah, six, and Julia, two, and farm servant Harry Staples.

From Nottinghamshire Great War Roll of Honour: ‘James was one of two blacksmiths in Gringley at this time, his premises were on High Street close to Gosforth House’.

1901 Census

Age 15 living with father, James, blacksmith, mother Harriet, brother Bertrand, sisters, Sarah, Harriet 9 and Victoria 3.

1911 Census

Age 25 visiting brother Bertrand and family at 3 St Austin’s Drive, Carlton. He is employed as a Shoeing blacksmith.

Military Service

Rank: Shoeing Smith

Service Number: 99052

Military Unit: 47th Brigade, 14th (Light) Division Ammunition Column, Royal Horse and Royal Field Artillery

Theatre of War: France and Flanders, date of entry 27.6.1915. Total war service abroad 5 months.

Enlisted: Melton Mowbray

Medals Awarded: 1914-1915 Star, British War and Victory

Go to WWI Timeline to see how this man’s death is part of the wider story of the war.

Details of death

On active service for five months before death. The 14th Division were at the Battle of Hooge in July 1915 .

Claimant for pension was his widow Edith Annie living at 3 Station Terrace, Radcliffe; she received 15 shillings (75p) per week for their son James Frederick which was paid until he was 16 years old 6 May 1931. She never remarried.

Reasons for inclusion on Radcliffe on Trent Roll of Honour

Married a Radcliffe on Trent woman then lived and worked in the village before his death.

 
Ypres Reservoir Cemetery, Belgium. Photo courtesy of CWGC