Main CPGW Record
Surname: CLAPHAM
Forename(s): Edwin
Place of Birth: Kirkby Malham, Yorkshire
Service No: 63896
Rank: Private
Regiment / Corps / Service: Lancashire Fusiliers
Battalion / Unit: 18th (Service) Battalion. (2nd South-East Lancashire)
Division: 35th Division
Age: 20
Date of Death: 1918-10-31
Awards: ---
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: I. C. 9 (Coll.)
CWGC Cemetery: VICHTE MILITARY CEMETERY
CWGC Memorial: ---
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial: HIGH BENTHAM, YORKSHIRE
Local War Memorial: LECK, LANCASHIRE
Local War Memorial: TUNSTALL, LANCASHIRE
Additional Information:
Edwin Clapham was the son of Richard and Betsy Clapham, née Wallbank. Richard was born at Bentham and Betsy at High Grain, Lawkland, Yorkshire. Edwin was the cousin of Private Edgar Robinson (33671) (q.v.).
1901 Bentham, Yorkshire Census: Staggarth - Edwin Clapham, aged 1 year, born Kirkby Malham, Yorkshire, son of Richard and Betsy Clapham.
1911 Bentham, Yorkshire Census: Staggarth - Edward Clapham, aged 11 years, born Kirkby Malham, Yorkshire, son of Richard and Betsy Clapham.
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte Edwin Clapham, 63896, Lan. Fus.
British Army WW1 Medal and Award Rolls: Pte Edwin Clapham, 63896, 18th Lan. Fus.
Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects: Pte Edwin Clapham, 63896, 18 Bn Lancs Fuslrs. Date and Place of Death: 31.10.18. In Actn. Belgm. To whom Authorised/Amount Authorised: Father - Richard. £6 2s. 0d.
UK, WW1 Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923: card(s) exist for Edwin. Name(s) on card(s): Dependant: Mrs Betsy Clapham. Relationship: Mother. Address 1. Overtown Farm, Cowan Bridge, Kirkby Lonsdale, Lancs. Address 2. Thin Oaks, Clapham Station, Lancaster.
A short biography of Edwin is included in: ‘Bentham’s Part in the Great War 1914-18’ by Allan and Marilyn Hartley (2019).
Data Source: Craven’s Part in the Great War - original CPGW book entry
View Entry in CPGW BookEntry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record:
CLAPHAM, Edwin, Lancs. Fus., son of Mr. Richard Clapham, formerly of Staggarth Farm, Bentham, killed in action, France, October 1918.
CLAPHAM, Edwin, [Bentham], Lancashire Fusiliers, killed 1918.
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Private Edwin CLAPHAM
Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Lancashire Fusiliers
Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 35th Division
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Additional Photo(s) For Soldier Records
Private Edwin Clapham’s New Testament & Psalms and his best sportsman’s gold medal inscribed: Pte Clapham / 3rd batt / Kings Own Reg / July 1918 / Best Sportsman
Photographed by Allan Hartley at the Armistice Exhibition at Bentham, Town Hall, November, 2018
With grateful thanks to Joan Clapham, great-niece of Edwin for the loan and use of this precious item
Next of kin Memorial Plaque
Photographed by Allan Hartley at the Armistice Exhibition at Bentham Town Hall, November, 2018
With grateful thanks to Joan Clapham, great-niece of Edwin for the loan and use of this precious item
Newspaper cutting from the ‘Craven Herald’ (15 November 1918) preserved by Edwin’s family
Photographed by Allan Hartley at the Armistice Exhibition at Bentham Town Hall, November, 2018
With grateful thanks to Joan Clapham, great-niece of Edwin for the loan and use of this precious item
View Craven Herald Articles
View Craven Herald Articles
15 November 1918
HIGHER BENTHAM - Death of Two Bentham Youths at the Front
The second youth to pay the great sacrifice was Private Edwin Clapham, of the Lancashire Fusiliers. He is the third son of Mr. Richard Clapham, who for 19 years farmed Staggarth Farm. He joined up last June, and succeeded in winning the champion sportsman's gold medal given by the officers of the 3rd Kings Own, to which he belonged before they transferred him to the Fusiliers. Deceased was a member of the Wesleyan Choir and the bass soloist. He was highly respected by a large circle of friends. An elder brother was taken prisoner by the Germans. He was only a fortnight in France previous to his death, which was caused by a machine gun bullet in the head. There was sadness throughout Bentham during the weekend when the news of the two deaths became known.
20 December 1918
HIGHER BENTHAM - Wesleyan Chapel
Yesterday week the Rev. C.J. Cumberworth, of Manchester, preached, and Miss Louie Clapham sang. Tea was provided in the schoolroom of which nearly 250 partook. Special mention was made of the death of Private Edwin Clapham, who was killed recently in France...
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
15 November 1918
Death of Two Bentham Youths
News reached Bentham at the end of last week that two more have paid the great sacrifice. Pte. Richard Wearing, the eldest son of Mr. John Wearing, of Lairgill, Bentham, of the 4th Gordon Highlanders, was killed on October 27th. Deceased has three other brothers at the front in France. He joined the 3rd King's Own in August, 1914, just after the war began, and was home on leave last February after which he was transferred to the Gordons. He was an his 26th year, and a fine young fellow and well-known in Bentham.
The second youth to make the great sacrifice was Pte. Edwin Clapham. of the Lancashire Fusiliers. He is the third son of Mr. Richard Clapham, who for 19 years farmed Staggarth Farm. He joined up last June, and succeeded in winning the champion sportsman's gold medal given by the officers of the 3rd King's Own, to which he belonged before they transferred him to the Fusiliers. Deceased was a member of the Wesleyan choir and a bass soloist. He had an elder brother taken prisoner by the Germans. He was only a fortnight in France previous to his death from a machine bullet in the head.
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