Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of John William Clarke a framework knitter, born 1868 in Blaby, Leicestershire, and his wife Keren Sophia Clarke (nee Wale, married in the 2nd quarter of 1889 in the Blaby, Leicestershire district), a Griswold stocking knitter, born the 2nd quarter of 1869 in Whetstone, Leicestershire, and who was the daughter of Abraham and Mary Wale of Whetstone. Alexander Harry, was born in the 4th quarter of 1893 in Whetstone, his siblings were, Florence Nellie, born 1892 in Whetstone, and Henrietta Ethel, born 1900 in Blaby, Leicestershire, in March 1901 the family home was at Auburn Road, Blaby. In April 1911 Alexander was employed as a shoe trade worker and was residing in the family home at Park Road, Blaby, together with his father, a framework knitter, his mother, a Griswold knitter, and his siblings, Clarice Sophia, a Griswold knitter, born 1889 in Whetstone, Nellie, a Griswold knitter, Ethel, a schoolgirl and Stella Vaughan, born 1903 in Blaby. Alexander’s mother was variously known as Karen, Kahren and Keren, the latter spelling being the official recording of her first Christian name at birth.
Alexander (Alec) enlisted into the 4th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 1st September 1914 in Leicester, he gave his place of birth as Blaby, Leicestershire, his trade or calling as shoe hand and his age as 20 years and 9 months. Information taken at the time his medical examination show that he was 5 foot 6 inches in height and had a chest measurement of 32½ to 35 inches. The following details are taken from his service record; Home service 1/9/14 to the 1/3/15. Embarked 1//3/15 disembarking at Le Havre, France to join the B.E.F. Killed in action in the field 6/4/15. Total service 218 days. The following information was provided on the 15th May 1919 by Alec’s father John William Clarke, and witnessed by Herbert Barrowcliffe, Justice of the Peace, in Blaby, Leicestershire on ARMY FORM W. 5080 (Information on deceased soldier’s family). Father of the soldier, John William Clarke of Park Road, Blaby, Leicestershire, no details are recorded for his mother. Full blood sisters of the soldier, Clarice Clarke age 30, Nellie Clarke, age 27, Ethel Clarke, age 19 and Stella Clarke aged 16.
The War Diary records: 6 Apr-15 - Quiet normal day. Wet most of the day. C and D Coy’s endeavoured to relieve A and B owing to C Coy becoming dismembered and majority losing their way, relief of A only partially effected. D effected relief about 2.30am. All dead beat owing to mud in REGENT STREET. Faulty organisation and undue safety precautions led to block in REGENT STREET. B Coy came out and proceeded via PICCADILLY to NEWPORT DUG OUTS in broad daylight, no casualties. Casualties, other ranks 1 man killed and 1 wounded. Lt T. WHITTINGHAM hit by spent bullet in toe during relief, not serious. Unnecessary use of communication trenches. But this not discovered unnecessary till afterwards.
On Friday April 23rd 1915 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “DISTRICT WAR ITEMS.” – LEICESTERSHIRE TERRITORIAL KILLED. – Information has been received of the death of Pte. Alec Clark, 4th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment (Territorial’s), who was killed in action on April 5th. Clark, whose parents reside at Park Road, Blaby, enlisted in August last, and the news of his death has caused much regret in the village, where he formerly lived. He was only 21 years of age, and was a prominent member of the Blaby Swifts Football Club.
On Saturday May 1st 1915 The Leicester Chronicle and Leicestershire Mercury published the following article under the heading. “ENDERBY MAN’S EXPERIENCES.” – Private Alfred Wood, who is one of several of the Enderby lads now serving at the front in the 4th Leicester’s, has sent interesting letters to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. George Wood, of West Street, Enderby, under date April 9. After thanking them for a parcel received, he says; “We have been in the trenches for four days and I would just like you to see us now! People at home would then realise that we are at war! It’s hell where we have been, without exaggeration; it is above knee deep in water and mud for about two miles. You have heard people say that the German’s can’t shoot! Can’t they! Just hold your cap above the trench for a few seconds, and there’s about twenty bullets through it! I might say I’ve been on listening patrol every night. You crawl out to within 25 yards of the enemy trenches, and lie there for sometimes two hours – according to the relief arranged, one or two hours on and the same off. The other night I went and fell into a trench of water up to my chest, and then stood in the pouring rain all that night and next day! I say again it is absolutely incomprehensible to those at home. We come out of the trenches after four days, and have four days off. Our trenches are now about 50 yards from those of the enemy, but the only German I have seen is a dead one between the trenches. I don’t know anyone in “Ours” who has yet seen a live one! I am well in health, which seems surprising, seeing what we go through. The second letter under the date April 20th, says; I’ve only just received your letter of the 13th. I didn’t come out of hospital until yesterday. I expect you have heard of my lucky escape. My finger is not quite better yet, but they told me to get my own doctor to dress it as they want to keep as much room as possible. I think you have got the wrong Clark who has been killed. It was “Alec,” generally known as “Cobley.” He went to school with me and I was talking to him not many hours before he was killed. He was a nice chap, (This refers to Alec Clark of Blaby). Private Wood was a member of the Wigston Rugby F.C., and a well known pedestrian, having won numerous prizes in flat races in the district.
On Friday May 7th 1915 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “ROLL OF HONOUR.” – LEICESTERSHIRE TERRITORIAL’S CASUALTIES.
The following casualties amongst the men of the Leicestershire Regiment, 4th Battalion (Territorial Force), are reported from the Base, under date April 14:-
KILLED.
Clarke (2563), Private A., Sangster (2652), Private F., Wilson (2971), Private J. E.