Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of John Thomas Clarke a joiner, born 1859 in Burrough on the Hill, Leicestershire, and his wife Emma Clarke (nee Oswin, married in the 4th quarter of 1878 in the Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire district), born 1857 in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire. Albert was born in the 2nd quarter of 1895 in Melton Mowbray, his siblings were, Walter, born 1881 in Pickwell, Leicestershire, George Oswin, born 1883, Ernest, born 1885, Cecil, born 1887 and Charles, born 1887, the latter four siblings were all born in Scalford, Leicestershire, Clarice Annie, born 1893 and Martha Lucy, born 1898, the latter two siblings were both born in Melton Mowbray, in March 1901 the family home was at 20, Thorpe Road, Melton Mowbray. In the 2nd quarter of 1909 in the Melton Mowbray district, Albert’s mother died aged 53. In April 1911 Albert was employed as an errand boy and was residing in the family home at 20, Thorpe Road, Melton Mowbray, together with his widowed father, a carpenter and siblings, Walter, a sewerage farm labourer, Ernest, a carpenter, Clarice, a housekeeper and Martha, a schoolgirl.
On Friday February 9th 1917 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS.” – IN MEMORIAM.- CLARKE.- In loving memory of Pte. Bert Clarke, of the 8th Leicesters, who died of wounds February 10th 1916. Farewell, dear laddie, your toil is o’er. Your willing hands will fight no more. On earth there’s war, in heaven there’s rest. We miss you most who loved you best. We often think of days gone by. When we were all together. A shadow o’er our life is cast. A loved one gone forever. From Alice, Auntie, brothers and sisters.
On Friday February 8th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS.” – IN MEMORIAM. – CLARKE.- In ever loving memory 20347, Pte. Bert Clarke, who died of wounds in France, February 10th, 1916. It is sweet to think that we shall meet again, When all the partings are o’er, That our dear boy we all loved so well. (We had not the chance to say farewell) Has only gone before. From Auntie, Alice, Brothers and Sisters.
On Friday February 18th 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – MELTONIAN DIES OF WOUNDS. (A photograph accompanied the article). In our last issue we announced that Pte. Bert Clarke, attached to the 10th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, had been seriously wounded, and we regret to learn that he has since died from his wounds. Deceased was a son of the late Mr. John Clarke, joiner, of Rose Cottage, Thorpe-road, Melton Mowbray, and brother of Mr. Ernest Clarke, who now resides at the last named address, and of Mr. Cecil Clarke, 1, Fernie-avenue. He was 20 years of age. At the outbreak of the war Pte. Clarke was in the employ of Mr. C. Butteriss, builder, and subsequently worked for Messrs. Denman and Newham, as journeyman joiner. Last June he enlisted in the 10th Leicesters, but afterwards transferred to the 8th Leicesters, and went out with a draft about the middle of October. On the 16th of last month he came home on six days leave, returning the following Sunday. On February 3rd deceased and a number of his comrades were listening to a band concert outside the canteen at the village in which they were billeted, and which is situate five miles behind the firing line, when a shell from one of the enemy’s long range guns burst in their midst, causing numerous casualties. Pte. Clarke was severely wounded in the neck, body and legs. After lingering in the Clearing Hospital for a week, he died on Thursday February 10th. Although taking no part in any active engagement, he saw a continual run of trench warfare during the time he was at the front, and had hitherto escaped unscathed. He was well known in Melton, and earned the respect of all his friends. He was a prominent member of the Young Men’s Institute Football Club, playing chiefly as centre half, and was notable for his remarkable command of the ball with his head. Much sympathy will be felt for the bereaved relatives, and also for Miss Coverley, his fiancée. Mr. E. Clarke has received the following letter:- 19th C.C.S., B.E.F., 19th February 1916. Dear Mr. Clarke, - Your brother was buried here yesterday with military honours, and party of 20 men and officer following, and the church service being used, and the Last Post being sounded. “The grave is in Doullens cemetery, and will always be carefully tended. It is being surrounded by a little box hedge, and flowers planted. We put a cross at his head. I hope you got my other letters announcing his illness and death. I am so truly sorry for you all in this grief. May God bless and comfort you. Yours Sincerely, Frank Stove, C.F.”
On Friday February 25th 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS.” – THANKS. Mr. Ernest Clarke, Melton Mowbray, and his relatives desire to return their sincere thanks for the numerous expressions of sympathy which they have received in connection with the death of Pte. Bert Clarke, of the 8th Leicesters.
On Friday March 3rd 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – THE DEATH OF BERT CLARKE. – AN APPRECIATION. (By H.P.I.B.). It is with mingled feelings I pen these few lines to mark the respect of one who was held dear not only by me, but a host of others too numerous to mention. Cheery, good natured, a smile for everyone. Private Bert Clarke’s early and tragic demise will be regretted by all with whom he came in contact. No matter where you met him, either at home or out here, he was always the same old Bert – a constant smile on his face. It was my good fortune to meet him in many phases of life. I well remember coming to Melton three years ago. Bert was one of my best pals – aye, a pal in the strict sense of the word. I asked his advice on many things, and the cheery response he always made to my requests stamped him as one who would have made “good” both in and outside his active birth place. As a ‘bhoy’ about town he never bowed with the majority, but held himself aloof from everything that was not fair and square and above board. Hence his popularity. His football career showed off his good qualities to perfection. As a centre-half he had few equals in the local area. Calm and collected, never once have I seen him unsettled - he placed the ball exactly where he thought best, with precision and exactitude that led one to believe ere - long he would be piloting the Fosse – or some other club to victory. But alas! The Almighty decreed otherwise. The place where Bert met his death has already been described , so I won’t dwell on a painful affair beyond saying that we were the R.A.M.C. referred to in your recent story. He was taken straight away to the Casualty Clearing Station, seriously wounded, after first aid had been rendered by our lads. He will be greatly missed by his comrades out here. They all liked, aye, loved Bert. One chap came to see me, and his first words were: “Bert has gone, kid. He was my best pal.” He cried like a bairn! However, I trust he will be now enjoying everlasting peace with his Maker. Tell the people not to worry for him, but to cheer up and say “Thank God he gave his life for those he loved at Melton.” Given an opportunity, I shall pay a visit to his grave, and doff my hat to one of the best pals a chap ever had! I hope the stay-at-homes will take heed at what I have written, and remember that: When at length the foe is vanquished. When the bhoys come home at last. Won’t YOU wish that you had listened. Ere Old England’s need has passed! H.P.I.B.