Mexborough and Swinton Times, October 21,1916

The Clarke Family
Brothers in Arms

Mr and Mrs James Clarke, of 26 Swinton Rd, Mexborough, have given four sons and a son-in-law to the Army.

Private Harry Clarke (Coldstream Guards) is now home on sick furlough, and was wounded in the engagement which proved fatal to Private W.H.Waddington, with whom he was at the time of the latter’s death. Private Harry Clarke is 19 years of age and married, with one child. He is a regular soldier, and has been serving two years. He has been in France over a year, while there he has been wounded twice. Shortly before Christmas he received a bullet in the hip when stationed near Ypres. In September he was hit behind the knee. Before enlistment he was employed by Mr Epworth, slater, of Mexborough.

Sgt Charles Clarke, aged 31, is serving with the K.O.Y.L.I., and originally went to France as a reservist of the Sherwood Foresters. He is a married man, with six children, and is only now in Doncaster. Before the outbreak of war he worked at Brodsworth. While at the front he was wounded in the left hand as he stood at his machine gun, and 17 piece of shrapnel were subsequently extracted from him. He is now a drill’s instructor attached to the K.O.Y.L.I. and stationed at Cannock Chase.

Private Fred Clarke (Coldstream Guards), Quarry Street, Mexborough, is 29, married with three children, and has been serving about two years, 15 months of which have been spent in France. Thus far it has come through without injury of any kind. Before the war he worked at Manvers Main.

John Edward Clarke, the fourth son, enlisted in the York and Lancashire and trained at Cannock Chase, but was discharged on account of his age. He is not yet 18 and is now in the employment of the Mexborough Council.

Mr Clarke is also as a son-in-law, private Walter Walmsley (Coldstream Guards) serving. He is 24 years of age, and has three children. He enlisted two years ago, and has been in France 15 months. About three months ago he was invalided with shell shock, but has now returned to the front. He was previously employed at Manvers Main.

Private J.E. Clarke (York & Lancs) – Discharged

Sergeant Charles Clarke (K.O.Y.L.I.) – Wounded

Private Harry Clarke (Coldstream Guards) – Home on sick leave

Private F. Clarke (Coldstream Guards) – in France

Private Walter Walmsley (Coldstream Guards) Serving