Ernest Clarke

A Private with 101 Company, Labour Corps, Ernest died on 17th of May 1918 at the age of 31 years.

Ernest was born at Lowestoft on 24 July 1887, a son of Robert and Eliza Clarke. In 1890 his family lived at 16 Oxford Road, and in 1891 at 6 Jacob’s Street. Ernest attended Saint Andrews School and then, from 3 February 1896, he became a pupil at Saint Margaret’s School. It seems that Ernest’s mother died in 1898 and his father in 1899. Ernest has not been traced in the 1901 or 1911 Census, but in 1911 he may have been lodging at 19 Mariners Street and working as a wood hawker. 

On 24 January 1916 Ernest married Beatrice Ellen Rix and Saint Margaret’s Church. Ernest was a butcher living at 3 Factory Street and Beatrice lived at 46 Crown Street. Ernest was the son-in-law of William and Eliza Rix of Virginia Cottage, Blundeston. 

Ernest was called up on 14 March 1916 and joined the Army at Bury St. Edmunds. He was posted to the 33rd Battalion Royal Fusiliers on 17 March, service number 17358. On 28 March he was transferred to the Depot of the Royal Berkshire Regiment and on 30 March he joined the 12th Battalion the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry, service number 25930. Next, he was transferred back to the Royal Fusiliers, on 10 April, and posted to the 34th Labour Battalion, with service number 31106. He arrived in France on 16 May 1916. On 14 May 1917 the 34th Battalion Royal Fusiliers became 101 Company Labour Corps, and Ernest was given service number 60096. Because of this change some records will state he served with the Royal Fusiliers, others will state Labour Corps. Ernest was granted leave to England from 24 May to 3 June 1917. 

On 14 May 1918 the 101st Company were making and repairing road when the Germans launched a gas attack and Edward would have received gas/shell wounds. He was evacuated to Rouen where he died. The gas attack on 14 May resulted in the greatest loss of life to any Labour Corps unit in the whole of the First World War.  

Ernst was gassed on 14 May and admitted to the 1st Australian General Hospital, Rouen, that same day. He died there, from the effects of gas poisoning, on 17 May 1918. His wife Beatrice died on 1 June 1918. In a letter to the War Department Beatrice’s mother wrote that Beatrice was ill when she heard of Ernest’s death and ‘the shock was too much for her.’

Ernest’s personal effects, a belt; mirror; wrist watch and strap; metal ring; purse and two photos; were sent to his mother-in-law Eliza Rix.