Clarett, F. G. 
Frederick George Clarett, M2/0507(9)05, was a Private in the Royal Army Service Corps (Motor Transport). He died on Christmas Day, 1917, at the Royal Herbert Hospital, Woolwich, from injuries received in France. He was 26. He is buried at St James Cemetery in Dover, the United Kingdom.

He was born and enlisted in Dover. He was the second son of Mr and Mrs George Clarett, from the Westbury Hotel, Dover

note: Pvt Clarett is the only person with this surname to be recorded by Soldiers Died as having died in WWI

Clark, J. 
John Jack Clark, 28828, was a Private in the 11th battalion of the Border Regiment (formerly G/86931 Middlesex). He was killed in action on 25th November 1917, when he was 20. He is commemorated on the Tyne Cot memorial in Belgium.

He was born and enlisted in Dover, and was the son of Frederick and Rachel Clark, from 4 Russell Place, Dover.

Clark, P.
Percy John Clark, 23136, came from Whitfield, Dover, and was a Second Lieutenant in No 5 Company, the New Zealand Machine Gun Corps. He had been Mentioned in Dispatches and had served in Egypt. He was killed in action on 11th October 1917, aged 23.  He is commemorated at Tyne Cot, in the NZ Apse, Panel 9

Clark, P. J. 
Percy John Clark, G/8004, was a Serjeant in A company of the 10th battalion of the Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment). He was killed in action on 27th April 1918, when he was 31. He is buried at the Hagle Dump Cemetery, Belgium.

He was born in Penge, Kent, and lived and enlisted at Broadstairs, Kent.

Left, his gravestone, fourth from left, above, Hagle Dump - Serjeant Clark's grave is to the left, approximately beneath the line of the second tree. Pictures by Peter Bates

Clark(e), F.
Frederick Henry Clark, 17949, born in Buckland, Dover, was a Private in the 8th battalion of the East Surrey Regiment. He had joined the army in May 1917, enlisting at Canterbury, and before the war had worked at Messrs G and A Clark's nurseries, in Dover. He was 32 when he died on 1st March 1917, killed in action by a shell, which burst on an advanced post based in a former shell hole. His wife, Nellie, and son, also Fred, then lived at 7 York Place.

When his lieutenant wrote to his widow, he said that Fred "fell doing his duty in a war which claims everyone, and in saving England from the desolation which is spread over Northern France. He was one of the many who had to take up military duties at a more advanced age than is usual, and he endured the many hardships out here without complaining."  A comrade, writing to Mrs Clark, says that Fred "died as a soldier at his post, doing his duty for his family and country".

Mrs Clark later remarried and became Mrs Cooper, living at 162 Southwood Road, St Lawrence, Ramsgate. Fred is commemorated on the Thiepval memorial, France.

picture lower left: Fred, his son, on the occasion of his engagement to Dot, lower right, Mrs Cooper, formerly Clark

with thanks to Mrs V Bale.

(We Remember 06)

Clarke, W. 
William Clarke S/8175, was a Private in the 24th company of the Royal Army Ordnance Corps. He died of uraemia 6 November 1919, when he was 35. He is buried at the Alexandria  (Hadra) War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt (G24). 

He was the son of Alice Clarke, of 161 Clarendon Place, Dover, and the late Edward Dixon Clarke. Mrs Clarke stated that he had enlisted in Dover on 15 November 1902, had served in France in 1914, and in Egypt from 1916 to 1919.

Claringbould, T. H. 
Thomas Henry Claringbould, 305063, was the son of Thomas Richard and Emily Claringbould, of 142 Heathfield Avenue, Dover, and had emigrated to Canada to work as a Farmhand.

On 23rd October 1915 he enlisted as a Private in the Central Ontario Regiment (Canadian Infantry), the 4th battalion. He was then 23 years and 8 months, and was recorded as being five feet nine and a half inches tall, with blue eyes and brown hair.

He was 27 when he died on Christmas Eve, 1919 at the General Hospital from an illness lasting just ten days, indirectly caused by the wounds he sustained in the Great War. His address was then given as (1)89 Darling Street. Two days later, on Boxing Day, his funeral procession, with his coffin borne by comrades, went from Mr and Mrs Harris' (his cousins) home, 175 Wellington Street, to the Brantford (Mount Hope) Cemetery in Canada.

He left a widow, whom he had married only two months before, on 22nd October, Emma nee Wyatt, recently arrived from Marple, Cheshire, England. She later lived at 303 Wellington Street, Brantford, Ontario.

The cross on his grave reads:

Thomas Claringbould is named on the Brant County War Memorial, Ontario (left, and detail above, left)..

with thanks to Graydon Jones for the grave pictures. Pte Claringbould's grave is in section IW W1/ 7-14 grave 6

with thanks to Bill Bowman for the Brant County memorial pictures

see also newspaper clippings on the Canadian Virtual Memorial

Claw, S. T. 
Sidney Thomas Claw, 186777, was an Able Seaman in the Royal Navy. Born on 25 June 1880, he lost his life when the Aboukir was torpedoed on 22nd September 1914. He is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial, United Kingdom.

His parents were Mr Andrew Edward and Mrs Jane Claw, née Potter, from 8 (or 18) Trevanion Street, and his wife, Emily Ann, née Standing, and child lived at 7 Trevanion Place, Dover. His brother, Walter Edward (Joe) Claw, was serving at the Front with the Royal Field Artillery. He was uncle to William Claw, below.  

Claw, W. H. 
William Henry Claw, J30330, was a First Class Boy in the Royal Navy. Born on 10 December 1897, he died at the age of 17 when the Clan McNaughton was lost with all 261 aboard off Ireland on 3 February 1915. William is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial.

He was born in Dover, and his mother was Ellen Elizabeth Claw, née Greenstreet, from 128 Union Road. His father, William Henry Claw, was serving on the "Onward", and was the brother of Sidney Claw, above 

Clifton, J. 
John Edward Clifton, L/10250, served as a Private in the 7th battalion of the Buffs. He was reported killed on 1st July 1916. He is buried at the Dive Copse British Cemetery, Sailly-le-Sec in France.

He was born, enlisted, and lived in Dover, and was the fourth son of Mr and Mrs H Clifton of Hardwicke Road, Maxton, and his father and three elder brothers were all also serving.

Clitheroe, A. W. 
Alfred Walter Clitheroe, 267162, was a Private in the 1st/7th battalion of the Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derby Regiment). He was killed at the Front on 24th April 1917. In the front line with a Lewis gun team, he was struck by a flying fragment from a shell bursting close by, and he was killed instantly. He is buried in Canadian Cemetery No 2, Neuville-St.Vaast, France. 

He was born and enlisted in Dover, and was the eldest son of Mr and Mrs J G Clitheroe, from 8 Woolcomber Lane, Dover. The Chaplain who wrote to his parents said, "He was a good man and a brave soldier who always did his duty."

Cloke, A. G. 
Arthur George Cloke, G/40915, was in the 4th battalion of the Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex) Regiment (formerly 2304 Royal Field Artillery). He was killed in action on 31st July 1917, when he was 31. He is commemorated on the Menin Gate in Belgium.

He was born and enlisted in Dover and his parents were Alexander and Mary Ann Cloke, from 5 De Burgh Street, Dover, and his wife was Eveline Ethel Cloke, of 7 Bartholomew Street, Dover.

Cole, J. 
John Cole, 5354, was born in Dover, and lived at 11 Hawkesbury Street. He was an Acting Regimental Company Serjeant Major in the 2nd battalion of the West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own). He was reported wounded and missing, and then as killed in action on 28th March 1918 and is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial in France.

He was said to have been greatly respected in his regiment, in which he had served a great number of years, having been enlisted in York at the age of 14 by his brother-in-law, Colour Sergeant Biffin. CS Biffin served with him at York for a short time, and then CSM Cole joined the 2nd Battalion, giving them service of nearly 20 years. He was in the band, and when the Great War began he was promoted Sergeant Drummer.

He went with the battalion to France in November 1914, and had stayed there until he died. He was promoted Warrant Officer (2nd Class), and later Regimental Sergeant Major. He was mentioned in dispatches the day before he died for having shown great ability, courage, and resource in the handling of troops. The infantry on the left of the battalion began to withdraw, and RSM Cole immediately collected a number of men from various units in Rosiers, and posted them on the outskirts of the village to fill the gaps. His prompt action and energy was considered of the greatest value to his battalion.

Coleman, J. E. T. 
James Edward Thomas Coleman, 210882, lived and enlisted in Dover, and was a Gunner in B battery, 10th Brigade, the Royal Horse Artillery/Royal Field Artillery. He died on 25th August 1917, and is buried at the Voormezeele Enclosures Nos 1 and 2 in Belgium.

M A Coleman, from 43 George Street, Dover, asked for his name to be placed on the Town Memorial.

Coleman, J. M.
John Morris Coleman, L/9832, was a Private in the 1st battalion of the Buffs. He died of wounds on 24th September 1914, and is buried at the Vailly British Cemetery in France.

He was born at St Margaret's, and lived in Buckland, Dover, and enlisted in Dover. M A Coleman from 43 George Street, Dover, asked for his name to be placed on the Town Memorial.

Coley, W. J. 
William John Coley was a (2nd) Lieutenant in the 1st battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment. He was 25 when he was killed in action on 15th July 1916. He is buried at Bouzincourt Communal Cemetery Extension in France.

His parents were Major W and Mrs A E Coley, from 91 Birkbeck Road, Enfield, Middlesex. He came from Leigh-on-Sea, Essex.  

Collard, G.   
George Collard, 910781, was born and enlisted in Dover, and was a Gunner in the 340th battery, 337th brigade, of the Royal Horse Artillery/Royal Field Artillery (territorial force).

He was 39 when he died suddenly on 29th January 1917 at the Military Hospital, Canterbury. He left a wife and children.

He is buried at River Parish church, Dover, United Kingdom.

Comper, E.
Ernest Comper, 184365, was a 2nd Class Petty Officer in the Royal Navy. He was aboard HM Trawler Princess Beatrice, and was killed by a mine explosion off the Belgian Coast on 5th October 1914, when he was 33. He is commemorated on the Chatham naval Memorial, United Kingdom.

He was the son of Harry Comper, from the Dover Institute, Biggin Street, and the husband of Alice Jenny Comper, from 49 Hambro Road, Streatham, London. 

*Cook, G.
Thomas Godfrey Cook, G/20826, was a Private in The Buffs, 7th battalion. He was killed in action on 11th July 1917 and is commemorated on the Menin Gate in Belgium.

He was born in Dover, enlisted in Stratford, and lived at Leytonstone.

Cook, S. B. 
Sidney Bo(u)rdeaux Cook, 3131, was a Rifleman in the 1st/12th (County of London) battalion of the London Regiment (the Rangers), having enlisted voluntarily in September 1914 at their headquarters in Chenies Street, London. He was assigned to the 2nd battalion for training.

In early 1915 he was transferred to France with a reinforcement draft to join the 1st Battalion (1st Rangers). On 8th May  1915 he was killed during the action on Frezenberg Ridge, during the Second Battle of Ypres. He was 19. His body was never recovered, and he is commemorated on the Menin Gate.

He lived in Leytonstone, and he was the son of Elizabeth Mary Cook, of 51 Barclay Road., Leytonstone, London, and the late Thomas James Cook.

with thanks to Ajax Badrick

Cook, W. 
W. Cook. This could be William Cook, CH/406S, RMLI, born 11 January 1894 in Ireland. He died between 11 and 13 May 1915. He is commemorated on the Helles Memorial. His mother, Alice Cook, lived at 33 Montrose Cottages, Manor Road, Dover

Cooke, C. F.  
Charles Frederick Cooke, 161513. he had been a cab driver/groom. He became a Chief Petty Officer in the Royal Navy, aboard the HMS "Vanguard". He had a long service and good conduct medal. He was 43 when he died on 9th July 1917. He was commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial.

He was the husband of Emma Mathers Cooke, of 21, Paulsgrove Road, Northend, Portsmouth. His parents were  Charles and Emma Cooke, of London. Charles senior originally came from Hanton in Lincolnshire, and Emma from Somerset. 

He was brother to Frank, Frederick, and Harry, also lost. Three other brothers, Joseph, Albert, and Arthur, survived the Great War. (We Remember 06)

with thanks to Richard McVey

Cooke, F.  
Frank Cooke, 212418. Before enlisting he was a Mason's Labourer, working on the Dover Breakwater. He became a Sapper in the 429th Field Company, Royal Engineers. He died of wounds, which he had received in the 3rd battle of Ypres, on 7th January 1918. He was 37/38. He was the husband of Eleanor Frances Cooke, of 158, Union Rd., Dover. He lies at Longuenesse (St Omer) Souvenir Cemetery, France. (Exhibition 06)
(We Remember 06)

He was born and enlisted in Dover. He was a brother to Charles, Frederick, and Harry, below, and had three children, born in 1904, 1907, and Elanor, born in 1912. 

Cooke, F
Frederick Cooke, 400970. He was a farmer before he became a Private in the 10th battalion of the Canadian Infantry (Alberta Regiment). On enlistment he was 5 feet 4 inches tall, and described as having grey eyes and dark brown hair.

He died of wounds on 16 April 1916, at the age of 18, and lies at Lijssenthoek cemetery. Belgium.  He was the son of Charles and Emma Cooke, of Dover, England, and brother to Charles, Harry, and Frank (We Remember 06)

Cooke, H.   
Harry Cooke, 176138. He was a First Class Stoker in the Royal Navy, on the HMS "Russell", after having worked as an errand boy.. He died at the age of 38 on 27th April 1916.  He is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial in United Kingdom.

He was the son of Son of Charles and Emma Cooke, and the husband of Martha J. Cooke, of "The Rosary," Collingwood Road,  Witham, Essex. Charles, Frederick, and Frank, above, were his brothers. Mrs Beer, of 5 St James Street, asked for their names to be placed on the Town Memorial. (We Remember 06)

Coombe. E. B.
Edward Boucher Coombe, 11797, was a Private in the 9th battalion of Devonshire Regiment. He is commemorated on the War Memorial on the last panel to be added, in the 1990s, and more about him is here.

Born at Torre, Torquay, in Devon, he enlisted at Poplar, Middlesex. He died of wounds on 11th November 1915, and is buried at the Bethune Town Cemetery, France, IV F 90 

Coomber, H. P.
Henry P. Coomber was a Leading Stoker who survived the raid at Zeebrugge, on the HMS Vindictive. He was in the West Indies at the outbreak of the war, and then at Mexico on one of HM's ships, sent home, transferred to another, and then went to the Dardanelles, and was present at the evacuation of Gallipoli. 

He was injured in the Zeebrugge Raid, and was said to have been "never right" subsequently. He died at the Royal Naval Hospital in Great Yarmouth on 14th May 1922.

He was the son of Mrs Wood, from 11 Bulwark Street, Dover.

*Coombs, E.
Ernest Gerald Constantine Coombs, J/20903, was an Ordinary Seaman in the Royal Navy, aboard the HMS Natal. He died on 30 December 1915, and is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial United Kingdom. In 1939 his parents inserted an "In Memoriam" announcement in the local paper, reading "In ever loving memory of our dear son, Ernest Coombs, lost on HMS Natal, December 20th, 1915, aged 19 years"

This casualty could also be: Ernest Augustus Coombs, 38488, who was a Gunner in the RHA/RFA, and died of wounds on 25th September 1914. He was born in London and enlisted in Dover. See also the Mark Frost pages for two other suggestions.

*Cooper, A. 
Albert Edward Cooper, A/200306, was a Rifleman in the 11th battalion of the King's Royal Rifle Corps, and previously in the 2/4th Buffs. On 13th August 1917, he was killed in action after 12 months at the Front, when he was 21. He is commemorated on the Menin Gate in Belgium.  

He was born and lived in Dover, but enlisted at Canterbury. His parents were Frank and Matilda Ann Cooper, from 8 Limekiln Street.

This could be instead Royal Navy Leading Stoker Arthur William Cooper, K/10234, from the HMS Invincible. He was killed in action at the age of 23 at the Battle of Jutland on 31 May 1916. He is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval memorial.

He was the son of Henry and Emily Cooper, from 9 Guildford Lawn, Liverpool Street, Dover, and came from St Helen's, the Isle of Wight.