6 March 1915 : Rifleman Basil Heathcote Clarke

Basil Heathcote Clarke was born in Stamford Hill, Middlesex 4 March 1894

Location of Stamford in London's East End (cc OpenStreetMap)

He was son of Henry (a former journalist and author from Durban) and Florence (née Clarke) .

He was educated at Oakfield School, Church End. 

At the 1911 Census Basil, age 17, was living at home (17 Burchwood Mansions, Muswell Hill) with his parents and older brother and a cousin. He was working as a clerk at the London Electricity Supply Corporation, a position he still held at the outbreak of war.  

He enlisted 3 September 1914 and landed in France 23 Jan 1915. He was killed in action near Wulverghem

 

Basil Clarke is buried in the military burial ground near Wulverghem Church. 

2336 Rifleman Basil Heathcote Clarke 1/9th Bn Queen Victoria’s Rifles The London Regiment (Territorial Force)

6 March 1915

Sources: De Ruvigny’s and Census Returns, England Census Returns 1901, 1911; UK Soldiers Died in the Great War.