Main CPGW Record
Surname: CLARK
Forename(s): Robert
Place of Birth: Bentham, Yorkshire
Service No: 42755
Rank: Sapper
Regiment / Corps / Service: Royal Engineers
Battalion / Unit: 435th Field Coy
Division: division unknown
Age: 41
Date of Death: 1917-09-28
Awards: ---
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: West of Church.
CWGC Cemetery: BENTHAM (ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST) CHURCHYARD
CWGC Memorial: ---
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial: HIGH BENTHAM, YORKSHIRE
Additional Information:
Robert Clark was the son of Hezekiah and Eliza Clark, née Smith. Hezekiah was born at Sheep Wash near Rathmell, Yorkshire and Eliza at Burton-in-Kendal, Westmorland.
1881 Bentham, Yorkshire Census: Main Street, Low Bentham - Robert Clark, aged 5 years, born Bentham, son of Hezekiah and Eliza Clark.
1891 Bentham, Yorkshire Census: Robert Clarke, aged 14 years, born Bentham, son of Hezekiah and Eliza Clarke.
Robert was married to Catherine Magoolagan in 1900. Catherine was the sister of Private Edward Magoolagan (14404) (q.v.).
1901 Bentham, Yorkshire Census: 10, Lairgill - Robert Clark, aged 24 years, born Bentham. [Robert, with his wife Catherine, and son William H. were boarding with Robert and Catherine Boyd to whom Catherine may have been related.]
1911 Bentham, Yorkshire Census: The Square - Robert Clarke, aged 34 years, born Bentham, husband of Catherine Clarke.
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: 2nd Cpl Robert Clark, 42755, Royal Engineers. Theatre of War: (1) France. Qualifying date [for 1914-15 Star]: 24 August 1915.
A short biography of Robert is included in: ‘Bentham’s Part in the Great War 1914-18’ by Allan and Marilyn Hartley (2019).
Photograph courtesy of Allan Hartley, High Bentham.
Data Source: Local War Memorial
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Entry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record:
CLARK, Sapper Robert, first Bentham volunteer to join the Forces, son of the late Mr. H. Clark, Bentham, died at Military Hospital, Bangor, Sept. 28, 1917.
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Sapper Robert CLARK
Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Royal Engineers
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Additional Photo(s) For Soldier Records
Sapper Robert Clark
Courtesy of Allan Hartley, High Bentham
St John the Baptist Churchyard, Low Bentham
CWGC Headstone
Courtesy of Allan Hartley, High Bentham
St John the Baptist Churchyard, Low Bentham
CWGC Headstone - personal inscription
The High & Low Bentham men who gave their lives
Top row (l-r): Rfn Ernest Knight Newhouse, Pte John Thornber, Reverend Theodore Bayley Hardy, Pte Richard Wilson, Pte Maurice Richard Bolton, Lieut John Barclay Clibborn, Pte William Throup, Pte Richard Wilcock Carr, A/Cpl William Robinson, Pte James Auton, Pte William Savage. Third row (l-r): L/Cpl David Percival Dixon, Pte John Emmott, Pte Francis Richard Townson, Pte John Adamthwaite, Pte Robert Carter, L/Cpl John Hutchinson, Pte Alfred Edward Gunn, Pte Ezra Stephenson, Pte Edwin Rawlinson Smith, Pte Richard Wearing, Lieut Basil William Ramsbotton. Third row (l-r): Spr Robert Clark, Act L/Cpl Thomas Wilcock, Cpl William Carr, Pte Lawrence Lancelot Dowbiggin, Pte Edward Magoolagan, Pte Isaac Rucastle, Pte Henry Taylor, Cpl Edward Ramskill, L/Cpl Edward Walton Briscoe, Pte Joseph Jackson, Gnr Ernest Wilcock. Fourth row (l-r): Capt Donald Morrison, Sgt Arthur Dean Blackburn, Pte James William Bell, Pte Leonard Nelson, L/Cpl John Edward Leeming, L/Cpl Albert Lister, Pte Percy Preston Whitfield, Cpl Tom Harry Smith, Cpl Thomas Walker Sanderson, Sgt William Patrick Tobin, Pte (Signaller) W. Wilkinson.
Courtesy of the artist, David Hartnup
View Craven Herald Articles
View Craven Herald Articles
05 October 1917
CLARK - September 28th 1917, at the Military Hospital, Bangor, North Wales, Sapper Robert Clark, first Bentham Volunteer to join the Forces, son of the late Mr. H. Clark, Bentham.
05 October 1917
HIGHER BENTHAM - THE FIRST VOLUNTEER: DEATH OF SAPPER ROBERT CLARK
The death of Sapper Robert Clark, the youngest son of the late Mr. H. Clark, took place suddenly at the Military Hospital, Bangor, North Wales, on Friday morning last from appendicitis. The deceased was a well-known stonemason, and served his apprenticeship with Messrs. Cumberland, and was also a member of the I.O.G.T. at Bentham, and a valued member of the Bentham Cricket Club and a fast bowler. He was the first Volunteer to join the forces immediately on the outbreak of war. He joined the Royal Engineers on 31st August 1914, and went out to France with a company of sappers in 1915. He was sent back to England on Christmas Day last suffering from pneumonia, and was some time in the Edinburgh Military Hospital. After recovering he was stationed at Newark, and spent his last visit at Bentham at Whitsuntide. He was removed to Coodhelen, North Wales, where he was taken ill on Wednesday last, the 26th ult., and died on Friday morning before his wife, who had been urgently summoned, could see him.
The body was brought to Bentham on Sunday morning, and the funeral took place at the Parish Church on Monday afternoon. Many relatives and friends followed the remains through the town to their last resting place. A number of Good Templars were present, and several of his old workmates.
Great sympathy is felt for his widow and orphan children, there being eight sons and one little baby daughter to mourn his loss. The Rev. Father Morgan very impressively conducted the funeral service.
16 November 1917
HIGHER BENTHAM - MEMORIAL SERVICE
The second memorial service for soldiers killed at the Front was held at St. Margaret's Church on Sunday afternoon. The sacred edifice was well filled by parishioners of every shade of religious and political opinions. The Vicar (the Rev. G. H. C. Bartley) officiated, and the service was choral, commencing with the opening sentences of the burial service, chanted, as a processional with the Union Jack was carried in front, draped with violet. Between the lessons the choir gave the anthem, 'I heard a voice from Heaven' very beautifully, and the Vicar read out the names of the fifteen heroes who have laid down their lives from the parish, as well as the three who are missing, and supposed killed, as follows:- Captain D. Morrison; Private Ed. Magoolaghan; Lance Corporal Joe Jackson; Captain S. C. Bartley (the Vicar's brother); Corporal E. Leeming; Private Tom Wilcock; Captain G. G. Eccles; Private Ezra Stevenson; Private Len Nelson; Captain Pollard; Private Percy Whitfield (N.Z.); Corporal Wm. Robinson; Corporal Harry Smith; Corporal R. Clarke (missing); Private Lancelot Dowbiggin; Private Ed. Briscoe; Private Edwin Smith.
As the names were read out many tears were shed at the memory of the loved ones 'Gone West'. Then followed an excellent sermon by the Vicar from the words 'Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friend', at the conclusion of which Miss V. Stubbs played the 'Dead March' whilst the congregation remained standing. The recessional hymn was 'For all the Saints', and at the close the organist played 'I know that my Redeemer liveth' as a voluntary. The entire service was of a very impressive character.
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
16 October 1914
BENTHAM - WOUNDED IN BELGIUM
It is interesting to note that two Bentham Good Templar's have joined the King's Army, namely Robert Clarke, a driver in the Royal Engineers, and Colour-Sergeant Wearing, who is in the Royal Marines and has been wounded in Belgium.
16 February 1917
BENTHAM
Several soldiers are home from the front, including Pte. R. Clarke (R.E.), Pte. R. Wearing (King's Own), Pte. John Harrison (Duke of Wellington's), Pte. Jim Leeming (Duke of Wellington's), Pte. Fred Clapham and Pte. W. Whittaker (Duke of Wellington's).
16 November 1917
BENTHAM
MEMORIAL SERVICE - The second memorial service for soldiers killed at the front was held at St. Margaret's Church on Sunday afternoon last. The sacred edifice was well filled by parishioners of every shade of religious and political opinion, and the service was of a solemn and reverent character. The vicar (Rev. G.H.C. Bartley) officiated , and the service was choral. It commenced with the opening sentence of the burial service being chanted as a processional. The Union Jack was carried in front, draped with violets. Between the lessons the choir gave the anthem 'I heard a voice from Heaven,' and the Vicar read the names of the 15 dead men belonging to the parish who have laid down their lives, as well as of the three who are missing and supposed killed, viz., Capt. D. Morrison. Pte. Ed Magoolaghan, Lance-Corpl. Joe Jackson, Capt. S.C. Bartley (the Vicar's brother), Corpl. B. Leeming, Capt. Pollard, Pte. Tom Wilcock, Capt. G.[C.] G. Eccles, Pte. Ezra Stevenson, Pte. Len Nelson, Pte. Percy Whitfield (N.Z.). Corpl. Wm. Robinson, Corpl. Harry Smith, Corpl R. Clark; missing, Pte. Lancelot Dowbiggin, Pte. Ed. Briscoe and Pte. Edwin Smith. Then followed an excellent sermon by the Vicar from the words "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friend." At the conclusion of the sermon Miss V. Stubbs played the 'Dead march,' the congregation standing. The processional hymn was 'For all the saints,' and at the close the organist played 'I knew that my Redeemer liveth.' The service was of a very impressive character throughout.
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