Clarke, Hugh
Ex-Private
No. 9952, 1st Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
Died of disease on Saturday 1 May 1920 (aged 27)
Buried:
Belfast (Dundonald) Cemetery (Grave E6 204)
Commemorated:
BIOGRAPHY
Hugh Clarke (sometimes Clark) was born on 26 January 1893 at New Row, Donaghadee, and he was a son of Hugh and Ellen Clake (nee McNarry, sometimes Menary, sometimes Menarry) who were married on 27 June 1883 in Newtownards Parish Church of Ireland Church. Hugh Clarke, a soldier from Donaghadee was a son of Michael Clarke, a labourer. Ellen McNarry from Francis Street, Newtownards was a daughter of Henry McNarry, a dealer.
Hugh and Ellen Clake (nee McNarry) had twelve children including:
Henry McNarry (born 18 December 1884 at Shore Street, Donaghadee)
Agnes McNarry (born 5 September 1891 at New Row, Donaghadee)
Hugh (born 26 January 1893 at New Row, Donaghadee)
Joseph McNarry (born 14 October 1894 at New Row, Donaghadee)
Jessie (born 19 June 1897 at McConkey Court, Donaghadee)
John (born 29 April 1899 at 46 Island Street, Belfast)
Mary (born 1 October 1901 at 73 Methuen Street, Belfast)
Hugh Clarke enlisted on 28 November 1910 at Belfast. He declared his age to be 18 years 1 month when in fact it was 17 years 9 months. He was 5 feet 7¼ inches tall with a sallow complexion, grey eyes and dark brown hair. There was a small scar in the centre of his forehead. He served in the following places:
Home 28 November 1910 to 21 November 1912
India 22 November 1912 to 8 December 1914
Home 9 December 1914 to 16 March 1915
Mediterranean 17 March 1915 to 9 January 1916
Home 10 January 1916 to 21 March 1916
France 22 March 1916 to 7 June 1917
Home 8 June 1917 to 9 January 1918
It is recorded that he was dangerously ill in May 1917, suffering from a gunshot wound to his back. He survived and on 19 December 1917 appeared before an Army Medical Board when he was pronounced no longer physically fit for war service. It was determined that his disability was caused by military service. A Silver War Badge and Certificate (No. 27/304073) were issued on 14 January 1918.
Hugh Clarke from 20 Steen’s Row, Belfast died on 1 May 1920 (aged 27) in the Ulster Volunteer Hospital, Botanic Avenue, Belfast from ‘septic paraplegia following a gunshot wound to his spine’. His brother Joe was with him when he died.
Ex-Private Hugh Clarke (No. 9952) was buried on 4 May 1920 in Dundonald Cemetery (Grave E6 204). Also buried in that grave were his father Hugh who died on 1 September 1924 (aged 50), his sister Jessie who died on 6 March 1937 (aged 21), and his mother Ellen who died on 1 February 1947 (aged 72).
At time of writing, his is an ‘In From The Cold’ case awaiting adjudication.