Captain (MRCVS), Royal Army Veterinary Corps (Territorial Force - Yeomanry). Died on service 19 August 1916. Lived at Beech House, Wragby. Mentioned in Horncastle News 26 August 1916. IN the 1901 census he was aged 34, born Horncastle, a Veterinary Surgeon, a widower, resident Silver Street, Wragby, Horncastle, Lincolnshire. Husband of Jeannie Mary (nee Ward) Clarke, married 10 January 1907 in St Mary, Barton on Humber. In the 1911 census he was aged 44, born Horncastle, a Veterinary Surgeon M.R.C.I.S, husband of Jeannie Mary and father of Nancy, resident Beech House, Wragby, Lincolnshire. Buried in Cairo War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt. Plot P. Grave 135.

Extract from Lincolnshire Echo - Wednesday 23 August 1916, page 3:

A cablegram from Cairo, to Mrs. R. W. Clarke, Wragby, a few days ago, brought the information that her husband, Oapt. Clarke. M R C.V.S., of the Yeomanry, was seriously ill. A later cable from his brother officers expresecl sympathy on his loss. No official intimation of his death has yet arrived. Mr Clarke has had for many years an extensive veterinary practice at Wragby and neighbourhood, and was generally highly respected. He was very energetic and anything he underook was well carried out. He was formerly a successful racing cyclist. The local foal breeding association lose in him an able secretary. His wife and family will meet with general sympathy.

Extract from Grantham Journal - Saturday 26 August 1916, page 4:

Captain Robert William Clarke, M.R.C.V.S., of the Yeomanry, who resided at Beech House, Wragby, is reported to have died in hospital in Egypt. Capt. Clarke gave up extensive practice to join the Yeomanry after the war broke out, and he went out with the first draft in September last. He was on board the Mercian when she was shelled by a U boat in the Mediterranean, and was in the water for many hours before being picked up. Capt Clarke leaves a widow and two little girls.

either Charles Joseph William, Private 15196, 2nd Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment. Killed in actionb 28 June 1916. Aged 27. Born Spilsby, Lincolnshire, resident Dunstan, Lincolnshire, enlisted Lincoln. Son of Joseph William Kew, of Dunston, Lincoln, and the late Mrs. Kew. IN the 1911 census he was aged 21, born Oynton All Saints, a Farm Labourer, son of Joseph William and Edith Annie Kew, resident Toynton All Saints, Spilsby, Lincolnshire. Buried in Albert Communal Cemetery Extension. Somme, France. Plot I. Row H. Grave 12.

or Charles Walter, Private 16214, 6th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment. Died on service 23 October 1915 at Gallipoli. Born and resident Toynton All Saints, ennlisted Spilsby, Lincolnshire. In the 1911 census he was aged 14, born Hampole, Yorkshire, a Farm Labourer, son of Charles Robert and Gertrude Kew, resident Boston Road, Spilsby, Toynton All Saints, Lincolnshire. Buried in Cairo War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt. Plot D. Grave 155.

Others who died in 1914-1918 but are not recorded on the War Memorial in Wragby

Private 29465, 9th Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment formerly 118095, Training Reserve Battalion. Killed in action 25 May 1918. Born Wragby, enlisted Hull. No known grave. Commemorated on Soissons Memorial, Aisne, France.

Extract from De Ruvigny's Roll of Honour 1914-1918, Volume 5, page 33:

CLIFF, JOHN WILLIE, Private, No. 29465, 9th (Service) Battn. The Loyal North Lancashire Regt., s. of William Cliff, of No. 6, Hampden Terrace, Seaton Street, Hull, by his wife, Mary, dau. of Samuel Sewell, of Gaddlethorpe ; b. Wrawby, co. Lincoln, 22 Oct. 1899; educ. Fountain Road Board School, Hull ; was employed as a Grocer ; enlisted 25 Oct. 1917 ; served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders from 28 April, 1918; was reported missing after the fighting at Chateau Thierry 27 May following, and later reported killed in action on that date. The Report of the 9th Loyal North Lancashire Regt., dated 25-31 May, 1915, stated : " Our reports show that the 7th Loyal North Lancashires took part in the desperate fighting in Flanders during the month of April, 1918, the result of which was that the German effort to reach the Channel ports was frustrated. Shortly afterwards they were sent with other British troops to the French line between Soissons and Rheims. It was apparently thought that our regiments would he able to recuperate on this quieter portion of the front, and the fresh French divisions were needed elsewhere. This calculation proved wrong, for on 27 May the Crown Prince's Army launched a tremendous attack on the Chemin des Dames, in the confident expectation of this time reaching Paris. On the right, the tenacity of our troops saved Rheims, but on the left both French and British were overwhelmed, and the Germans drove right through to the River Marne. For a while Paris was in imminent danger, and was actually within range of bombardment, but the timely arrival of American troops at Chateau Thierry finally checked the German advance. The 9th Loyal North Lancashires suffered very heavily in killed, wounded and prisoners, and, owing to the ground remaining for some time in enemy occupation, it was impossible to get accurate information about the casualties. We have little information about the stages of the retreat, but hear of them near Berry-au-Bac, at Romain, and between Maizy on the River Aisne, and Fismes. One report says : ' We were at Maizy ; we were taken prisoners and were treated at our own casualty clearing station, which was in German hands." At a place called Muscourt, near Romain, the Germans were driving us back very fast and came over the ground.' All the reports agree in recording the severity of the machine-gun fire, and the fact that ninny casualties were caused by aeroplanes." Unm.

Private 13820, 6th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment. Died of wounds 9 October 1917. Born Wragby, enlisted Louth, resident Donington on Bain. Admitted to No 34 Casualty Clearing Station 2 July 1916 with wounds to the abdomen, transferred 5 July 1916. Buried in Dozinghem Military Cemetery, Poperinge, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Plot XII. Row J. Grave 2.

1939 - 1945