Thomas Clarke

 

Devonshire Regiment

Thomas Clarke, who died at the First Day of the Battle of Somme, was the son of Henry Clarke and Sarah Ann Thomas, who were married in 1893, Llanelly.

Thomas was born in 1896, in Carmarthenshire.

The Clark family at the time of the 1901 Census were recorded as residing as living at Llanelly at 6 Biddulph Street.

1901 Census

Sarah Ann, who was the head of the family was aged 29, she didn’t have a job.  Her place of birth is recorded as Penygraig.  Her children present are

William aged 7, who place of birth is recorded as Llanelly; Thomas J., aged 4, who place of birth is recorded as Carmarthen; Catherine G., aged 2, who place of birth is recorded as Kidwelly, and Henry W. aged 4 months, who place of birth is recorded as Llanelly.

Henry who is recorded as living as a boarder at 71 Bailey Street, the home of Morgan Davies.  Henry is recorded as being employed as an Iron Worker.

By the time of the 1911 Census, the family had moved to Swansea, and they were residing at 12a Rock Street, Waun Wen.

1911 Census

Henry, aged 38 is employed as an Iron Molder, while Sarah Ann, is aged 38.  Their children are

William, aged 17, who is also employed as an Iron Molder; Thomas, aged 15, who is employed as Helper in Tin House; Catherine, aged 12; Wilfred, aged 10; Edgar, aged 8; Blodwen, aged 6, and Brynmor, aged 4.

Thomas, who enlisted and served with the Devonshire Regiment, 2^nd Battalion.

The 2^nd Battalion on the first day, 11 officers and 221 men were killed or missing with an additional 5 officers and 194 men wounded.   Those soldiers who were buried at the Devonshire Cemetery.  The cemetery bears an inscription 'The Devonshires held this trench, the Devonshires hold it still'

Sadly, Thomas’ body wasn’t identified, and his name is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.