Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of William Clarke a non domestic groom, born 1855 in Harrow Weald, Middlesex and his wife Elizabeth Clarke (nee Foster, married on the 24th July 1879 in the Parish Church, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire), a dressmaker, born 1857 in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire. William Edward was born in the 3rd quarter of 1880 in Melton Mowbray and was baptised on the 13th June 1880 in Melton Mowbray, in April 1881 the family home was at 6, Bentley Street, Melton Mowbray. In the 1st quarter of 1887 in the Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire district, William’s mother died aged 30. In March 1901 William was absent from the family home at 184, Cornwall Road, Kensington, London, residing there was his father, a car man, his step mother, Caroline Clarke (nee Turner, married in the 4th quarter of 1888 in the St. Pancras, Middlesex district), born 1870 in Buckinghamshire and his half blood siblings, Florence Hilda, born 23rd July 1889 and Elsie Constance, born 1894, both siblings were born in Shepherds Bush, Middlesex, William was employed as a postman and was residing at 14, Bentley Street, Melton Mowbray, this being the family home of his widowed maternal Grandfather, Thomas Foster a tailor, born 1828 in Cropwell Bishop, Nottinghamshire. In April 1911 William was employed as a postman and was residing at Burton Lazars, Leicestershire, the family home of his widowed mother in law, Jane Howett, born 1838 in Melton Mowbray, together with his wife Elizabeth Clarke (nee Howett, married on the 7th July 1904 in the Parish Church, Burton Lazars, Leicestershire), born 1877 in Saxby, Leicestershire, and their two children, Stanley Gregory, born 13th June 1905 and Lilian Foster, born 1st October 1910, both the children were born in Burton Lazars.
William attested into the Army on a Short Service engagement (For the Duration of the War) on the 10th December 1915 in Melton Mowbray. He gave his current home address as 14, Albert Street, Melton Mowbray, his age as 35 years and 199 days and his trade or calling as postman. He confirmed that he was married. He gave his religion as Church of England. He gave his wife Elizabeth Clarke of 14, Albert Street, Melton Mowbray, as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 6¼ inches in height, weighed 122 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 30 and 32 inches. It was noted that he had defective teeth. After attestation on the 10/12/15 in Melton Mowbray he was transferred as Private, service number 30401 to the Army Reserve. Mobilized on the 6/6/16. Posted to the Leicestershire Regiment Depot on the 6/6/16. Posted to the 3rd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment at Patrington on the 10/6/16. Posted to the 1st Garrison Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment on the 10/8/16. Posted to the 3rd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment at Patrington on the 6/2/17. Charged with overstaying his pass from tattoo 19/2/17 until 10.15pm 20/2/17 (1 day 30 minutes), punishment awarded, deprived of two days pay on the 21/2/17. Embarked from Folkestone to join the British Expeditionary Force in France on the 1/3/17. Posted to the Infantry Brigade Depot, British Expeditionary Force, France on the 2/3/17. Posted to the 1st Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 2/3/17. Transferred to the 10th Battalion Cheshire Regiment, and allocated the service number 50588, on the 19/3/17. Admitted to the 76th Field Ambulance, in the field suffering from I.C.T legs on the 16/7/17. Transferred to the 10th Casualty Clearing Station on the 20/7/17. Admitted to the 6th General Hospital at Rouen on the 25/7/17. Posted to the 4th Infantry Brigade Depot on the 10/9/17. Proceeded to rejoin the 10th Battalion Cheshire Regiment on the 25/9/17. Rejoined the 10th Battalion Cheshire Regiment, in the field on the 26/9/17. Granted leave to the UK on the 23/1/18 until the 6/2/18. Posted missing in action on the -?-. Posted to the 9th Battalion Cheshire Regiment for record purposes on the 27/8/18. Died as a Prisoner of War in hospital at Mons, Belgium, cause not stated, on the 10/7/18. A summary of his service records: Home Service, 10/12/15 – 1/3/17, 1 year 82 days. British Expeditionary Force, France, 2/3/17 – 10/7/18, 1 year 131 days. Total service 2 years 213 days. He was awarded the British War and Victory medals.
The following are tracts of correspondence relating to the original uncertainty with regard to the fate of William;
From: No. 2 Infantry Record Office,
The Riding School,
Shrewsbury.
30/9/18.
Madam/
re No. 50588 Pte. W. E. Clarke. 10th Cheshire Regiment.
I regret to inform you a Despatch has been received by the War Office from the Netherland Legation at Brussels of the death of the above named soldier, while a prisoner of war, on the 10th of July, 1918, in Hospital at Mons. This report has been accepted as sufficient evidence for official purposes.
The next of kin have been informed by me accordingly.
I am, Madam
Your Obedient Servant.
Lt. for Lt. Colonel, Officer i/c No.2 Infantry Records.

From: R. Styles (Postmaster),
Post Office,
Melton Mowbray.
1 Oct 1918.
To: The Officer in charge,
No.2 Infantry Record Office,
No.4 District,
Shrewsbury.
Dear Sir
Mrs. Clarke, of 14, Albert St., Melton Mowbray has shown me a letter she received from you today stating that her husband No 50588 Pte. Wm. Edward Clarke, Cheshire Regt., died in hospital at Mons on 10 July 18. Her husband prior to enlistment was a Postman at this office.
Mrs. Clarke has received two postcards from her husband – one dated May 4th and the second dated June 12th stating he was well and a prisoner of war at Stammlager, Parchin, Germany.
In these circumstances perhaps you will be good enough to have his death verified as there would appear to be some doubt in the matter.
Yours very truly
R. Styles
(Postmaster).

From: No. 2 Infantry Record Office,
The Riding School,
Shrewsbury.
4-10-18.
To: R. Styles Esquire,
Postmaster,
Melton Mowbray.
Sir with reference to your letter of 1st inst, concerning 50588 Pte. W. E. Clarke, 9th Cheshire Regiment, though there is an apparent discrepancy in the report of his death as to date and place, it is regretted that the information contained therein is only too true. The report was sent to the War Office by the Netherland Legation at Brussels.
In view, however, of the circumstances, I have written to the War Office today, in order to obtain further news concerning this case, and as soon as a reply is received, I will at once communicate with Mrs. Clarke.
I am, Sir, Your Obedient Servant,
Lt. for Lt. Colonel, Officer i/c No.2 Infantry Records.

From: No. 2 Infantry Record Office,
The Riding School,
Shrewsbury.
To: The Secretary,
War Office, (C 2 Cas)
Finsbury Court,
Finsbury Pavement,
LONDON E.C.2.
50588 Private Clarke, W. E. 10th Cheshire Regiment.
With reference to your letter, C 2 Cas, P M, 29 E, dated 26-9-18, notifying death of above named soldier at War Hospital, Mons; the relatives of this man have written querying the authenticity of report of death, on the grounds that postcards had been received from him dated May 4th, and June 12th, on which dates soldier was quite well and at Stammlager, Parchin.
Will you please inform me if there is any reason to doubt accuracy of the report, received from the Netherland Legation at Brussels.
Lt. for Lt. Colonel, Officer i/c No.2 Infantry Records.
His widow and two children were awarded a weekly pension of twenty five shillings and five pence to commence on the 7th April 1919. The following information was provided by William’s widow Elizabeth Clarke on the 26th April 1920, and was witnessed and signed by H. Theodore Mogridge, Minister, Sandown, Melton Mowbray on ARMY FORM W. 5080 (Information on deceased soldier’s family) Widow of soldier, Elizabeth Clarke of 14, Albert Street, Melton Mowbray. Children of soldier, Stanley Gregory Clarke, born 13th June 1905 of 14, Albert Street, Melton Mowbray. Lilian Foster Clarke, born 1st October 1910 of 14, Albert Street, Melton Mowbray. William’s surviving service documents are in poor condition, and much of the finer detail relating to the period of time that he spent in the Army, is either illegible or missing, hence the sparse overall description of his military and personal family history.
On Friday September 14th 1917 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR” – LOCAL POSTMAN IN HOSPITAL. Mrs Clarke, of 14, Albert Street, Melton Mowbray has received information that her husband, Private W. E. Clarke, of the Cheshire’s is in hospital in France, suffering from septic poisoning in the right leg and arm. He is progressing satisfactorily. Private Clarke, prior to joining the army was on the staff of the Melton Post Office.
On Friday April 26th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” - MISSING. Mrs. Clarke, 14, Albert-street, Melton Mowbray, has received the following notification from the Infantry Record Office, Shrewsbury: “20th April. Madam, - I regret to inform you that a report has been received from the War Office to the effect that No. 50588 Pte. W. E. Clarke, Cheshire Regiment, was posted as missing on March 23rd. The report that he is missing does not necessarily mean that he has been killed, as he may be a prisoner of war or temporarily separated from his regiment. Should any further information be received it will be communicated to you. I am madam, your obedient servant, A. Howlett, Captain.” Pte. Clarke, who was 37 years of age last May, was prior to his enlistment in June 1915, employed as a postman in the town for about 20 years. He has been in France since February 1917, and came home on leave last February.
On Friday June 14th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – PRISONER OF WAR. Mrs. Clarke, 14, Albert-street, Melton Mowbray, has for the past three months been kept in a state of uncertainty as to the fate of her husband, Pte. W. E. Clarke, Cheshire Regt. On April 21st she received a notification from the Infantry Record Office, Shrewsbury, that he was posted as missing on March 23rd, and nothing further was heard until Wednesday morning when news reached her that he is a prisoner of war in Germany. Pte. Clarke, who is 38 years of age, was, prior to his enlistment in June 1915, a postman in Melton for about 20 years.
On Friday October 11th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – MELTON PRISONER OF WAR’S DEATH. Mrs. Clarke, Albert-st., Melton Mowbray has received a notification from the Record Office, Shrewsbury, that her husband, Pte. W. E. Clarke, Cheshire Regt., died in hospital at Mons on July 10th. Deceased was taken a prisoner of war in March, and the last postcard received from him was dated June 15th, and stated that he was well. At Mrs. Clarke’s request Mr. R. Styles, postmaster, communicated with the Record Office, and received a reply to the effect that there was no reason to doubt the truth of the report, but further inquiries would be made at the War Office. Prior to enlistment on June 6th, 1916, deceased had been employed as a telegraph messenger and postman at Melton since 1894. He leaves a widow and two children.