Sunday 21st May 1916: Readers will remember that on 4th
May the 6th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, suffered a raid by the enemy
which resulted in 66 casualties, 16 of them killed. One of those who paid the
ultimate price was Sergeant Harry Clarke. Letters of sympathy have been
received by the widow from friends and deceased’s officer now at the front. The
latter wrote: “May I express my deepest sympathy with you in the loss of your
husband. I, his platoon commander, had only known him for a fortnight, but I
should never wish for a better sergeant. His loss has been much felt especially
by his own men, who were very fond of him. He was killed at his post while
encouraging the men of No. 10 platoon to stand up against a heavy bombardment
sustained in the early morning of Thursday. I am thankful to say that death was
instantaneous. With sincere sympathy, yours truly, R E COLES. PS – A photograph
of himself and his family was picked up the next day. His friend, Lance
Corporal Knight is writing to you as to whether he can retain it”(1)
The late
Sergeant Clarke was employed at the Britannia Iron Works at Bedford and was 41
years of age. He was an energetic worker for the Unionist party in Bedford and
was a street list man since the formation of the Saint Mary’s and Saint John’s
Ward of which Mr C H Woodford is the secretary. The deceased leaves a widow and
two children, for whom much sympathy is felt.
Source: Bedfordshire Standard 19th May
1916
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