ARTHUR CLARK 1896–1915
Born September 1896, Corby, Lincolnshire
Died 2nd August 1915 in the UK age 18
Buried Boldon (Whitburn) Cemetery.
Commemorated on Radcliffe on Trent War Memorial as Arthur Clarke.
1901 Census
Age four, living with mother Mary Emma Clark born 1876 and her husband William Baldwin, also from Lincolnshire, whom she married in 1899. His father is unknown. Family were living in Radcliffe on Trent and Arthur was using the name Baldwin. There was also a daughter, Ethel.
1911 Census
Age 14 Arthur Clarke now spelled with an ‘e’, working as a brick and pot maker, was living with his mother and William Baldwin in Radcliffe. Described on Census as ‘stepson’. William was working as a platelayer on the Great Northern Railway. Census indicates William and Mary had nine children, five of whom died. Three small children (all under 5) noted on Census. Family living in a house with four rooms on Bingham Road
Military Service
Rank: Private
Service Number: 5068
Military Unit: 3rd Battalion, Sherwood Foresters
Theatre of War: he did not enter a theatre of war as he died in the U.K. while training
Enlisted Nottingham August 24th 1914 in army reserves
Age: 17 years, 348 days
Occupation: railway porter
Height 5ft 5¾ins, weight 123 lbs, chest when fully expanded 35 ins, physical development fair
24.8.14: Recruits training, Special Reserves
10.9.14: Granted messing allowance
28.5.15: Transferred to 3rd Battalion
Date of death: 2nd August 1915, West Hall, Whitburn, South Shields (military hospital for Sherwood Foresters).
Died of natural causes (heart failure).
Buried at Whitburn cemetery at Whitburn, County Durham (source, Commonwealth War Graves.) Age at death: 18.
His mother received a weekly pension of 5 shillings until she died on 23rd May 1920 when this pension continued and was paid to his step father William Baldwin.
He did not serve abroad and therefore did not receive campaign medals.
Other information
Arthur was in the same battalion as Matthew Baggley, who also died in South Shields. Mother and stepfather living at Railway Cottage, Radcliffe, at time of his death (source, Commonwealth War Graves).
Reasons for inclusion on the Radcliffe on Trent Roll of Honour
Lived and worked in Radcliffe on Trent.
Photograph courtesy of Robert Brown
Boldon (Whitburn) Cemetery, Co. Durham