Granddad Harry Clack and Grandma Elizabeth Radband.
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Harry was born in Clanfield in aug1877. He enlisted with the Berkshire Light Regiment when he was 18 years old 1895 and and posted to Halifax Nova Scotia Canada on the 14 Nov 1896 until 22 Oct 1897.
The to West Indies 24 Oct 1897 until 18 Oct 1898.
Posted to South Africa 21 Nov 1898 fought in the Boer War. Back in Oct 1902
He returned to Clanfield at the end of his term of engagement in 1902 In the army reserves Section D until 15 Feb 1902 married Elizabeth Radband in 1903 in Clanfield.
In 1909 Harry was living in Bicester and was employed as a Wagoner for Lord Frogmorton .
Harry was on the Army Reserve list and was part of the expeditionary force that went over to France when WW1 broke out.
He Enlisted with 11th Kings Liverpool Regiment (Pioneers) Seaaforth 8 Aug 1914
It was the Wagoner's that were responsible for getting supplies to the front line. In 1916 Harry was kicked by a horse pulling a gun limber and his leg was fractured. He was sent back to the UK on HMS Cambria a few days later and was admitted to the Royal Cross hospital in Salisbury. The leg was set badly and left him with a permanent limp.
Harry had three other brothers, Alban, Neil and Christopher, who also served in France. Alban was killed two months before the war ended. There is a memorial to him in St Stephen's Church, Clanfield. Neil was caught in an explosion and discharged as unfit for war service. He was badly shell-shocked. Christopher was the only one that appeared to have come through the war unscathed.
Maureen’s branch of the Clack family first went to live in Clanfield about 1829. Edward Clack and his wife Susannah (nee Hathaway) brought up ten children there. James Clack, my her grandfather, was born in 1825. He worked on the land prior to joining the Marines. He served on HMS Scout in China during the Opium Wars. He was a Greenwich Pensioner.
James married Lucy Tomlin in 1871. Lucy was from Hinton Waldrist, Berkshire. The couple settled in Clanfield. They had seven children.
Elizabeth Radband, Maureen’s granny, was from Bampton. and believe her great grandfather, Thomas, was the leader of the Morris Dancers until his death in 1854. Henry Radband, Elizabeth's great uncle took over about 1858.
Many of Maureens roots are in this Cotswold village. If anyone knew her grandfather, Harry Clack, or any of his siblings she would love to hear from them. His sister, Lily, married George Temple and I believe she lived in Clanfield for most of her life.
by
Maureen Edden (nee Clack).
Maureen’s email address is maureen.edden@gmx.co.uk
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