Tom CLARKSON

Main CPGW Record

Surname: CLARKSON

Forename(s): Tom

Place of Birth: Preston, Lancashire

Service No: 11281

Rank: Private

Regiment / Corps / Service: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)

Battalion / Unit: 10th (Service) Battalion

Division: 23rd Division

Age: ---

Date of Death: 1916-07-05

Awards: ---

CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: Pier and Face 6 A and 6 B.

CWGC Cemetery: ---

CWGC Memorial: THIEPVAL MEMORIAL

Non-CWGC Burial: ---

Local War Memorial: BARNOLDSWICK, YORKSHIRE

Additional Information:

Tom Clarkson was the son of Henry and Isabella Clarkson, née Billington. Henry was born at Preston, Lancashire and Isabella at Laisterdyke, Bradford, Yorkshire. Isabella died in 1883 and Henry married Mary Grundy in 1887.

1891 Preston, Lancashire Census: 7, Miles Street - Thomas Clarkson, aged 8 years, born Sutton, Cambridgeshire, son of Henry and [stepson] of Mary Clarkson. [The birthplace given for Thomas is incorrect].

1901 Preston, Lancashire Census: 8, Elmsley Street - Thomas Clarkson, aged 18 years, born Preston, Lancashire. [Thomas and his sister, Isabella was boarding with Joseph and Mary Ellen Wilkinson.]

Tom was married to Grace Fishwick in 1915. Grace may have been related to Rowland Fishwick (267020) (q.v.). At the time of their marriage Tom was stationed at Belton Park, Grantham, Lincolnshire with the 8th (Service) Bn Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment). Grace married Albert Brown in 1917.

British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte Tom Clarkson, 11281, W. Rid. R. Theatre of war first served in: 2B - Balkans. Date of entry therein: 12.7.15. K. in A. 5.7.16. [Tom was wounded at Gallipoli whilst serving with the 8th (Service) Bn Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment).]

British Army WW1 Medal and Award Rolls: Pte Tom Clarkson, 11281, 8th W. Rid. R; 10th W. Rid. R. K. in A. 5.7.16.

Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects: Pte Tom Clarkson, 8/11281, 10th Bn W. Riding. Date and Place of Death: 5.7.16. France or Belgium. To whom Authorised/Amount Authorised: Widow - Grace. £0 19s. 11d. Self and child. War Gratuity: Widow - Grace. £8 10s. 0d.

UK, WW1 Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923: card(s) exist for Tom. Name(s) on card(s): Widow: Grace, born 8.1.93. Address: 14, Turner Street, Barnoldswick, York[s]. Children: Thomas William, born 27.7.15. Remarks: Widow was remarried on 31.3.17 to Albert Brown (cotton weaver). The remarriage gratuity was £50 4s. 3d. which was paid to Mrs Grace Brown on 15.5.17. The pension for the child is being paid to Mrs G. Brown.

Tom was killed in action near Contalmaison during the Battles of the Somme, 1916, 1 July-18 November, at the Battle of Albert, 1916, 1-13 July.

A short biography of Tom is included in: ‘Barnoldswick – A small Town’s part in conflicts 1800 to 2014’ by Peter Ian Thompson (2014).

Data Source: Local War Memorial

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Entry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record:

CLARKSON, Thos., aged 32 years, Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, 14, Turner Street, [Barnoldswick], killed in action in France, July 5, 1916.

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