Benjamin Thomas Clarke

A Civilian, Benjamin died on 22nd of July 1941 at the age of 60. 

Benjamin was born at Lowestoft on 22 June 1881, a son of Robert King and Mary Ann Clarke. He was baptised at Saint Margaret's Church, Lowestoft, on 7 August 1881. In 1885 his family lived at 51 Bevan Street and in 1891 they lived at 12 Grosvenor Road, Kirkley. By 1901 they were living at 17 Beckham Road and Benjamin was a sawyer.

On 24 April 1905 Benjamin married Mabel Emily King at Saint Margaret's Church, Lowestoft. Benjamin was a carpenter living at 17 Beckham Road, and Mabel lived at 16 Old Nelson Street. By 1911 they were living at 24 Saint Leonard's Road, Lowestoft, and Benjamin worked as a case maker (tin?) for C. and E. Morton, Limited. 

Benjamin served with the 2nd Volunteer Battalion Norfolk Regiment and then became a long serving member of the 4th Battalion Suffolk Regiment (Territorial Force) and was awarded the Territorial Force Efficiency Medal. He was mobilized on 5 August 1914 and discharged, medically unfit, on 3 December 1914.

In 1921 Benjamin and Mabel lived at 24 Saint Leonard's Road and Benjamin worked as a carpenter's labourer for Mr. Church, Contractor, of South Lowestoft, and Benjamin worked on the Beccles Road Housing Scheme. In 1939 Benjamin and Mabel were still living at 24 Saint Leonard's Road and Benjamin worked as a bricklayer's labourer and was also a Special Constable.

Benjamin and Mabel were killed, at their home, 24 Saint Leonard's Road, during an air raid. 

Benjamin's brother Arthur died in 1940 with the loss of the fishing vessel Encourage.