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Captain, Commonwealth War Graves, France, Great War, history, illness, Jersey, Lieutenant, Major, Middlesex, photography, story, Suffolk, Surrey, Sussex, war

Major Alexander Leslie

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Major Alexander Leslie

Alexander Augustus Maurice Leslie was born in France in 1852. One of five children, his parents were Government Secretary of State Francis Leslie and his French wife, Josephine.

Alexander’s mother died when he was 8 years old, by which point the family had moved back to Britain. Francis had set up home in Ealing, Middlesex, and they were living at 15 Castlebar Road, a Victorian villa.

When he completed his schooling, Alexander sought out a military life. The 1881 census recorded him as a Lieutenant in the Suffolk Regiment, living in St Helier, Jersey. He had married the year before, to Louisa Cumming, a surgeon’s daughter from Devon. They had a son, Maurice, by this point, and a daughter, Ida, was born the following year.

Lieutenant Leslie’s service records are sparse, but a later newspaper report fills in some of the gaps: “Leslie’s military experience, which extended… over a period of about 25 years, included participation in the Egyptian campaign in 1884, and service on the West Coast of Africa, in Jamaica, and in India.” [Worthing Gazette: Wednesday 30th April 1919]

During her husband’s time overseas, Louisa raised the children back home in Devon. She passed away in 1901, but which point, Alexander had retired with the rank of Captain. That year’s census found him living with Maurice and Ida at 14 Spencer Hill in Wimbledon, Surrey, a large detached villa. Maurice, now 20 years of age, was working as an accountant’s clerk, and the family had a live-in servant called Rose.

The next census record, from 1911, recorded Alexander living in rooms at 46 Leinster Gardens, Paddington. A substantial Georgian property, his landlady was Eveline Giradet, whose other residents included a barrister and a banker. Alexander’s occupation was now noted as Retired Major in the British Army.

From this point, Alexander’s trail grows cold. It is likely that he was called upon to play a part in the global conflict that broke out in 1914, though exactly when and how he did so is unclear. Records suggest he was admitted to Queen Alexandra’s Military Hospital on Millbank, Middlesex on 28th September 1916, suffering from syphilis. He only remained there for a couple of days, and his increasing age and health may have led to his retirement from duty.

For the past four years Major Alexander Maurice Leslie, who was for a period of a quarter of a century connected with the Royal Sussex Regiment, had been a resident of Worthing, and a brief intimation was given in the last issue… that he had died suddenly.

The circumstances were duly investigated by… the Deputy Coroner for West Sussex, on Wednesday afternoon, the inquiry taking place at the Central Fire Station, in High-street.

Evidence of identification was given by Colonel Francis Seymour Leslie… late of the Royal Engineers, who stated that the deceased, who was his brother, had lived at Worthing for the past four years, more or less all the time, though he had no permanent address…

Mrs Ethel William, a widow, at whose house… Major Leslie had lodged, stated that he had complained of indigestion and ate light food. On Monday evening he had his supper at half-past seven o’clock, going upstairs about half an hour later. About nine o’clock witness went to his room and found him lying in bed in great agony, and he exclaimed: “Oh, my poor heart!” Witness gave him some hot water to drink and sent for a doctor.

Dr Bernard Lees stated that he was sent for, but he found Major Leslie was dead when he got to the house. He had since made a post-mortem examination, which showed that the stomach and intestines were much distended, and there were signs of chronic gastric catarrh. The heart was fatty, but the valves were healthy. Death was due to syncope, the result of acute indigestion and the fatty condition of the heart.

A verdict of “Death from natural causes” was recorded.

[Worthing Gazette: Wednesday 30th April 1919]

[It should be noted that Alexander had been attached to the Suffolk Regiment throughout his military career. The error in the newspaper report is likely because of the Sussex town he had moved to in the mid-1910s.]

Alexander Augustus Maurice Leslie was 67 years of age when he passed away on 21st April 1919. His body was laid to rest in Broadwater Cemetery, to the north of the town he had called his home for more than four years.

accident, Boy, Commonwealth War Graves, Devon, Great War, history, Kent, killed in action, Middlesex, Ordinary Seaman, photography, Royal Navy, story, war

Ordinary Seaman Frederick Millis

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Ordinary Seaman Frederick Millis

Frederick Harold Millis was born in Marylebone, Middlesex, on 18th March 1896, and was one of five children to horse keeper William Millis and his wife Emily. Details of his early life are a challenge to piece together – he does not appear on the 1901 census, although Emily and his siblings are recorded at 1 Linhope Street.

William died in 1908, and by the time of the 1911 census, Emily had moved to Brighton, Sussex, where she was living at 49 Bernard Street with Frederick and two of his brothers. Fred was 15 years old by this point, and was working as a telegraph messenger, while his older sibling Alfred was working as a draper’s assistant.

Frederick sought a better life for himself, and, on 28th January 1913, he signed up to the Royal Navy. Being under age, he was given the rank of Boy 2nd Class, and was sent to HMS Vivid, the Royal Naval Dockyard in Devonport, Devon, for his training.

After just three months, Frederick was promoted to Boy 1st Class, and just a few weeks later was assigned to the battleship HMS Prince of Wales. In October 1913, he was moved to another battleship, HMS Bulwark, and it was here that he was formally inducted into the navy.

The now Ordinary Seaman Millis signed up for twelve years’ service, and his papers note that he was 5ft 8ins (1.73m) tall, with dark brown hair, dark brown eyes and a fresh complexion. He was also recorded as having a clasped hands tattoo on his right forearm and another of a sailor on his left arm.

Ordinary Seaman Millis would remain on board HMS Bulwark for a year. The battleship was part of the Channel Fleet, tasked with patrolling and defending Britain’s southern coast. On 26th November 1914, she was moored in the River Medway, close to Sheerness, and was being stocked with shells and ammunition. That morning, some poorly stowed cordite charges overheated, detonating the shells stored nearby. The resulting explosion ripped through the battleship, and more than 740 crew were killed. Frederick was amongst those whose bodies were recovered and identified: he was 18 years of age.

The bodies that were recovered from the tragedy were taken to the Woodlands Cemetery in nearby Gillingham and laid to rest. Frederick Harold Millis was buried alongside his colleagues in a marked grave.

Frederick’s headstone suggests he held the rank of Officer’s Steward: this seems to be an error, and possible a mis-interpretation of the initials of Ordinary Seaman.

Able Seaman, accident, Boy, Commonwealth War Graves, Devon, Dorset, Great War, history, Kent, killed in action, Middlesex, Ordinary Seaman, photography, Royal Navy, story, war

Able Seaman Bertram Warner

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Able Seaman Bertram Warner

Bertram William Warner was born on 16th February 1895 in Greenford, Middlesex. The youngest of four children, his parents were jobbing gardener Henry Warner and his wife, Elizabeth.

Bertram began working with his father after he completed his schooling, but he had his heart set on bigger and better things. A life at sea drew him in and, on 7th February 1913, he enlisted in the Royal Navy. His service records show the young man he had become: he was 5ft 2ins (1.58m) tall, with dark hair, grey eyes and a fair complexion.

Initially taken on as a Boy 2nd Class, Bertram was sent to HMS Vivid, the Royal Naval Dockyard in Devonport, Devon, for his training. His records outline his ability and commitment to the role. On 28th May 1913, as he moved to the training ship HMS Prince of Wales, he was promoted to Boy 1st Class. On 8th August he was deemed to be of age, and officially inducted into the Royal Navy.

On 4th October, Ordinary Seaman Warner was transferred to the pre-dreadnought battleship HMS Bulwark. Based in Portland, Dorset, at the start of the First World War, she would form part of the Channel Fleet patrolling and defending Britain’s southern coast. Bertram was continuing to prove his mettle and, on 13th October 1914, just eighteen months after initially joining the navy, he was promoted again, to Able Seaman.

Bertram was on board Bulwark on the 26th November 1914, when she was moored close to Sheerness, Kent. That morning, some poorly stowed cordite charges overheated, detonating some of the hundreds of shells stored shells nearby. The resulting explosion ripped through the battleship, killing more than 740 people. Able Seaman Warner was amongst those killed whose bodies were recovered and identified: he was 19 years of age.

The body of Bertram William Warner was taken to Woodlands Cemetery in Gillingham, Kent, and laid to rest alongside his colleagues.

accident, Commonwealth War Graves, Essex, Great War, history, Kent, Leading Mechanic, Mechanic, Middlesex, photography, Royal Air Force, Royal Navy, story, war

Leading Mechanic Charles Harris

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Leading Mechanic Charles Harris

Charles William Harris was born in Wingham, near Canterbury, Kent, on 19th July 1879. The fourth of eleven children, his parents were Charles and Kate Harris. Charles Sr was a carpenter and builder, and his son was to follow in his stead.

By the time of the 1901 census, however, Charles Jr had stepped out on his own. He had moved to London, and was boarding with the Hurley family, in rooms at 408 Bethnal Green Road, Middlesex.

On 1th June 1902, Charles Jr, now a plumber, married Esther Danton. An engine driver’s daughter from Kent, she was four years her new husband’s senior. The couple set up home at 5 Leatherdale Street in Mile End, and had two children: daughter Lilian was born in 1905, with son George following three years later.

When war broke out, Charles was called upon to play his part. He enlisted in the Royal Naval Air Service as an Air Mechanic, and was quickly promoted to Leading Mechanic. His service records show that, when he joined up on 15th June 1916, he was 5ft 7.5ins (1.71m) tall, with light brown hair, blue eyes and a fresh complexion.

Leading Mechanic Harris would be based out of HMS President, the umbrella name for the Royal Navy’s London bases. He spent time working at Wormwood Scrubs, and, in February 1917, was moved to Kingsnorth, Kent.

What happened next is summed up in a simple statement on Charles’ service papers: “26th May 1917 Accidentally killed by explosion of gas holder.” There is no further information, and nothing in the media about the incident. Leading Mechanic Harris was 37 years of age.

The body of Charles William Harris was taken to the Woodlands Cemetery, Gillingham, Kent. He was laid to rest in the naval section of the burial ground.

Tragedy was to strike again just two years later, when Charles and Esther’s daughter also passed away:

Much sympathy and respect were shown at Holy Trinity Church, Springfield, when the funeral of Lily Harris, the fourteen-year-old daughter of Mrs and the late Mr CW Harris took place. Deceased’s father, who was chauffeur to the Bishop of Chelmsford, lost his life in the war while serving with the RNAS, and this fact added to the regret felt by the parishioners at the further sad loss sustained by his widow, who is now left with only one little boy. The funeral procession included a large number of the scholars of the Springfield Day and Sunday Schools, with Mr R Coward of the day school, and practically every child carried a floral tribute. There was also a large attendance of neighbours and friends, including children, assembled at the church. The Bishop of Chelmsford officiated… [and] gave a touching address to the church, speaking particularly to the children; and his lordship also performed the last sad rites at the graveside.

[Essex Newsman: Saturday 29th November 1919]

There is no evidence of any connection between Charles and the Bishop of Chelmsford: as far as the records show, he was never a chauffeur, working as a builder, plumber and gas fitter before enlisting.

Commonwealth War Graves, Great War, history, Kent, Middlesex, Norfolk, photography, Royal Navy, Stoker, story, suicide, war

Stoker 1st Class Richard Jenkins

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Stoker 1st Class Richard Jenkins

Richard Henry Jenkins was born on 7th April 1878 in Soho, Middlesex. The youngest of seven children, his parents were glazier George Jenkins and his wife, Emma. The 1881 census found the family living in rooms at 2 Church Street, but they disappear from both of the next two census returns.

The next document for Richard is his service record. He gave up his job as a labourer to join the Royal Navy as a Stoker 2nd Class, on 27th November 1905. His papers note that he was 5ft 5.5ins (1.66m) tall, with dark brown hair, grey eyes and a fresh complexion.

Stoker Jenkins was sent to HMS Acheron, a torpedo boat, for his training. Over the term of his five-year contract, he would spend time on three further vessels, but it was HMS Pembroke, the Royal Naval Dockyard in Chatham, Kent, that would become his on-shore home. Promoted to Stoker 1st Class in Mary 1907, he was stood down to reserve status then his contract ended in 1910.

By this point, Richard was married. He exchanged vows with widow Mary Ann Bunyon, on 11th April 1909. The same age as her husband, she had a son, Edward, from her previous marriage, and the couple set up home in Clerkenwell. The 1911 census found them living in rooms at 3 Roberts Place. They shared their home with their first child and Mary’s mother and sister.

When war broke out, Richard was called upon to play his part once more. Sent back to HMS Pembroke on 2nd August 1914, he seems to have spent the next couple of years on shore. His papers note that he was wounded on 26th June 1915, but no further information is available.

On 15th May 1917, Stoker 1st Class Jenkins was assigned to the monitor ship HMS Roberts. She has spent time in the Mediterranean, but by the time Richard joined her crew, she was put to use as a guard ship off the Norfolk coast.

A case of very determined suicide was inquired into at the Royal Naval Hospital, Gillingham, on Saturday last, by Mr CB Harris (County Coroner) and a jury. It appeared from the evidence that Richard Henry Jenkins, a stoker petty officer [sic], of the Royal Fleet Reserve, had been depressed and in a morose state of mind for some days, reference being made in a letter to an alleged unpleasantness at his home. On October 4th, when the vessel was at sea, Jenkins cut his throat with a savage slash of his own razor, and them jumped through a port-hole. The Coroner remarked that it was extraordinary that the man should have had sufficient strength to get through the port-hole after inflicting such a severe wound upon himself. A verdict of suicide during temporary insanity was returned.

[Sheerness Guardian and East Kent Advertiser: Saturday 13th October 1917]

Richard Henry Jenkins was 39 years of age when he took his life. His body was laid to rest in Woodlands Cemetery, Gillingham, Kent, not far from HMS Pembroke.

There is no further information about the alleged unpleasantness at home. The 1921 census recorded Mary living in Clerkenwell with their two children and her mother.

Stoker 1st Class Richard Jenkins
(from ancestry.co.uk)
Commonwealth War Graves, Essex, Great War, history, Kent, killed in action, Middlesex, Midshipman, photography, Royal Naval Reserve, story, war

Midshipman Randolph Lemon

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Midshipman Randolph Lemon

Randolph Charles Lemon was born on 23rd September 1900. An only child, his parents were Charles and Edith. Charles was a schoolmaster from Hampton Wick, Middlesex, by he and Edith raised their son at 176 Union Road, Leytonstone, Essex.

There is little information available about Randolph’s life. When war broke out he stepped up to play his part, but the only documentation about his time at sea confirms that he served as a Midshipman in the Royal Naval Reserve. Randolph was assigned to the TSS Hurunui, owned by the New Zealand Shipping Company, in April 1916. By the spring of 1918, however, he had transferred to the destroyer HMS Exe.

That March Exe was sailing with HMS Kale south down the eastern coast of Britain, from Hull to Portsmouth. On 27th March 1918, both ships inadvertently steered six miles out of a clear channel and into a British-laid minefield. Both ships hit mines and the Kale was sunk, with the loss of 41 lives. The Exe floundered and, while the full impact is unclear, Midshipman Lemon was killed in the incident. He was just 17 years of age.

The Exe made it to the Royal Naval Dockyard in Chatham, Kent. Randolph Charles Lemon’s body was laid to rest in the naval section of Woodlands Cemetery, Gillingham, Kent.

The loss of their only child at such a young age must have been for his parents to bear. The 1921 census found Charles and Elizabeth had moved to Ilford, Essex, where Charles was now teaching.

Charles died in 1939, at the age of 65, Elizabeth passing away in February 1967, aged 90. Both were buried with their son: a family reunited after nearly five decades.

Commonwealth War Graves, Great War, history, illness, Kent, Middlesex, photography, Royal Navy, Stoker, story, war

Stoker 1st Class John Claxton

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Stoker 1st Class John Claxton

John Arthur William Claxton was born at the start of 1883 in Mile End, Middlesex. He was the only child to John and Louisa Claxton. John Sr was a brewer’s drayman, and, when Louisa died in the 1890s, He was left to raise his son.

When he completed his schooling, John Jr found work as a joiner’s apprentice. On 4th February 1907, he married Maud Wilson, a labourer’s daughter from Stepney. The couple went on to have two children: Louisa was born in 1907, and John the following year.

At this point, John’s trail goes cold. His marriage certificate confirms he was employed as a carpenter, and he definitely enlisted in the Royal Navy at some point, but whether this was as a direct result of the outbreak of war is unclear.

Stoker 1st Class Claxton’s service records have been lost to time. The only other document relating to him is his Pension Ledger Index Card. This confirms that he died from asthma and pneumonia on 30th December 1917: he was 34 years of age.

John Arthur William Claxton is likely to have died at either the Royal Naval Dockyard in Chatham – otherwise known as HMS Pembroke – or the Royal Naval Hospital in the town, as his body was buried in Woodlands Cemetery, Gillingham, not far from the base.

Able Seaman, Boy, Commonwealth War Graves, Great War, history, illness, Kent, Leading Seaman, Middlesex, Ordinary Seaman, photography, Royal Navy, story, war

Leading Seaman Joseph Hopkins

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Leading Seaman Joseph Hopkins

Joseph Hopkins was born in Ramsgate, Kent, on 27th May 1867. The third of seven children, his parents were commissioned sailor George Hopkins and his wife, Agnes.

Given his father’s job, Joseph seemed destined for a life at sea himself and, on 30th November 1882, he joined the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class. Over the next couple of years, he learnt the tools of his trade, starting on the training ships HMS St Vincent and HMS Hector. During this time, he was promoted to Boy 1st Class.

On 1st January 1885, Joseph was assigned to the ironclad ship HMS Repulse. He remained on board for six months, during which time he came of age. Now an Ordinary Seaman, his service papers show that he was just 5ft 1in (1.55m) tall, with black hair, grey eyes and a pale complexion. He was also noted as having a scar on the left of his forehead.

Ordinary Seaman Hopkins’ contract was for ten years and over that decade he sailed the world, serving on eight ships. Less than a year after formally enlisting, he was promoted to Able Seaman, but his time in the navy was not without its problems.

Able Seaman Hopkins spent four separate periods of time – totalling 49 days – in the brig between 1886 and 1895. Details of his most of his offences have been lost to time. Given the last instance was an expired shore leave which also landed him with a find of £3 10s (around £580 today), it seems likely that he was a repeat offender.

When Able Seaman Hopkins’ contract expired, he immediately re-enlisted. He served for another ten year and, apart from one further bout in the cells in 1898, his record was incident free. In the summer of 1905, after more than two decades in the Royal Navy, he was formally stood down to reserve status.

Joseph’s trail goes cold for a while and it is only in the 1911 census that we pick him up again. At this point he was living with his younger brother in Kilburn, Middlesex, where he was employed as a warehouseman.

When war broke out, Joseph was called upon to play his part once more. He took up the rank of Able Seaman once again, but remained shore-based, serving at HMS Pembroke, the Royal Naval Dockyard in Chatham, Kent. He would spend the next three years at the dockyard, rising to Leading Seaman in March 1917.

By this point, however, Joseph’s health was beginning to decline. In December 1917 he was admitted to Chatham’s Royal Naval Hospital following a cerebral haemorrhage, but the condition would prove fatal. He passed away on 15th December, at the age of 50 years old.

The body of Joseph Hopkins was taken to Woodlands Cemetery in Gillingham, Kent, and he was laid to rest, not far from the base he had called home for so long.

Able Seaman, Boy, Commonwealth War Graves, Devon, Dorset, Great War, Hampshire, history, illness, Kent, Leading Seaman, Middlesex, Ordinary Seaman, photography, Royal Navy, story, Suffolk, Surrey, war, Warwickshire

Leading Seaman Henry Hudson

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Leading Seaman Henry Hudson

Henry John Gerrard Hudson was born in Whitechapel, Middlesex, on 11th November 1873. The fourth of seven children – and one of five boys – his parents were John and Emma Hudson. John was a paper stainer, and the family were raised in rooms at 62 Fern Street, Tower Hamlets.

Money was seemingly tight, and Henry sought an escape. On 5th January 1889 he enlisted in the Royal Navy, and was sent to the Devon school ship, HMS Impregnable, for his training. As he was below the age to full enrol, he was given the rank of Boy 2nd Class.

Over the next couple of years, Henry learnt the tools of his trade. He spent a year training at HMS Ganges, the shore establishment near Ipswich, Suffolk, and rose to the rank of Boy 1st Class. On 20th November 1890, he was given his first sea-faring assignment, aboard HMS Ruby, and she would remain his home for the next eighteen months.

During his time with Ruby, Henry came of age. His service records show that he was 5ft 5ins (1.65m) tall with light brown hair, brown eyes and a fair complexion. He was also noted as having a number of abscess scars under his left arm.

The now Ordinary Seaman Hudson definitely showed signs of promise as, after just three months, he was promoted to Able Seaman, a rank he would hold for the next five years. During that time, he served on four further ships, including the torpedo boat depot ship HMS Vulcan.

On 1st June 1897, Henry was promoted to Leading Seaman, although he reverted to his previous role just nine months later, at his own request. In October 1898 he transferred to HMS Caesar and, presumably with further support, he was promoted to Leading Seaman again in August 1899.

By May 1902, Henry’s initial term of service came to an end, and he was stood down to reserve status.

In January 1907 Henry married Alice Martin. She was a carpenter’s daughter, and the couple were living on Grosvenor Terrace in Newington, Middlesex, when the exchanged vows. They would go on to have three children.

The 1911 census found the Hudsons living in Weymouth, Dorset. Henry, by this point, was working as a motor boat driver, and the family had a small cottage on South View Road, not far from the town centre. The document shows how they had travelled to where Henry’s work took them: their first child, Nancy, had been born in Walworth, Surrey, in 1908, while her sister, Gladys, was born in nearby Camberwell the following year.

The next couple of years provided a big upheaval for the Hudsons and, by the spring of 1914 the family had moved to Rugby, Warwickshire. There seems to be no family connection to the area on either Henry or Alice’s side. It can only be assumed, therefore, that an opportunity of work arose.

In June 1914, Alice gave birth to the couple’s third son, John. Just two months later, war was declared, and Henry was called back into service. Taking up his previous role, Leading Seaman was to spend the next few years on land. Initially sent to HMS Victory, the Royal Naval Dockyard in Portsmouth, Hampshire. From there he moved to a base in Gorleston, Norfolk, and would remain there until the autumn of 1916.

Leading Seaman Hudson spent six month at HMS President in London, before moving to the Royal Naval Dockyard in Chatham, Kent, also known as HMS Pembroke. By this point – the spring of 1917 – his health was suffering and, that May, he was admitted to the town’s Royal Naval Hospital, suffering from tuberculosis.

The condition was to prove too severe for Henry: he passed away from a combination of the lung condition and a gastric ulcer on 20th May 1917. Henry was 43 years of age.

Alice was still living in Warwickshire at this point. Her husband, Henry John Gerrard Hudson, was therefore laid to rest in the naval section of Woodlands Cemetery, Gillingham, Kent.

Cadet, Commonwealth War Graves, Great War, Gunner, history, illness, Middlesex, photography, Royal Garrison Artillery, Sergeant, story, Sussex, war

Cadet Sergeant Henry Clark

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Cadet Sergeant Henry Clark

Henry John Clark was born on 17th January 1885 in Tufnell Park, Middlesex. The oldest of five children, his parents were wire worker and brass finisher Henry Clark and his wife, Louisa.

The 1891 census found the family living at 51 Cromwell Avenue, Highgate, Middlesex, and this would certainly remain Henry Sr and Louisa’s house for the next ten to fifteen years at least. Henry Jr – who was better known as Jack – is missing from the 1901 census, but by the next document, taken in 1911, he had moved back in with the family.

By this point the Clarks were living in a thirteen-room house on Shepherd’s Hill, Highgate. Henry Sr was now listed as an employer, manufacturing fenders, fire guards and metal good generally, with Jack and his brother, Cyril, also working in the business. The family were supported by two servants, with Henry Sr’s niece and another boarder living with them. Tragically, the census records that Louisa had had five children, although only Jack and Cyril were still alive.

The family business, according to De Ruvigny’s Roll of Honour, Messrs. J Clark, Ltd, of High Street, Bloomsbury, and Jack was one of the directors. The publication also notes that, in his spare time, Jack was “a prominent and active member of the Kit Marlowe Dramatic Club, and the Vaudeville Dramatic Club, and was a popular member of the Highgate Special Constabulary, which body he joined as soon as it was formed.”

On 19th June 1912,Jack married Alice King. Born in Finsbury Park, she was the daughter of a wine and spirit valuer and merchant. The couple exchanged vows at St George’s Church, Hanover Square, London, and would go on to have a child, John, in 1916.

When war broke out, Jack was called upon to play his part. He enlisted on 4th December 1916, joining the Royal Garrison Artillery as a Gunner. His service papers note that he was just over 6ft 2ins (1.89m) tall, and weighed 159lbs (72.1kg).

Gunner Clark served with the British Expeditionary Force from March 1917, returning to home soil just three months later. He had obviously impressed his superiors, as he was sent to the No. 2 RGA Officers’ Cadet School in Uckfield, Sussex, to be trained as a Sergeant.

While here, however, Jack came down with pneumonia, and was admitted to the No. 2 Eastern General Hospital in Brighton. The condition was to get the better of him, sadly, and he passed away on 16th January 1918, the day after his 33rd birthday.

Henry John “Jack” Clark was taken back to Middlesex for burial. He was laid to rest in the majestic Highgate Cemetery, a short walk from his grieving family.

Cadet Sergeant Henry Clark
(from De Ruvigny’s Roll of Honour)