Clarence Izzard was baptized on the 5th December 1894 in St. James’s Church, Handsworth, Staffordshire, the son of John Alfred & Lizzie Izzard. (His birth registration was King’s Norton, Worcestershire Oct – Dec qtr 1894, Volume:6c Page: 493). He was given the names of Albert Howard Clarence Izzard, and they lived at 25, Downing Street, Handsworth, Staffordshire. Father, John was an Ironworker.
Clarence was first recorded on a census in 1901. He was living at 4, Belgrave Terrace, Saltney. Queensferry Cheshire with his family. The family had moved for work at John Summers & Sons Ironworks. Head of the household was John Izzard 33 an Ironworker who had been born in Dudley, Staffordshire. His wife was Lizzie also 33,who was also born in Dudley. Their listed children were Amilia 10, John 8, Clarence 6, May 4 and Eric 2. All these children had been born in Birmingham, Worcestershire. Baby son Sidney was 8 months old.
The 1911 census sees the family living at Belgrave Villas Queensferry, Flintshire. John Izzard 41 had been married to his wife Lizzie for 20 years. Ten children had been born to them , but they had lost 1 child. John was an Ironworker. The children were recorded as Fred 19 and Albert (Clarence) 17, both Ironworkers . May 14, Eric 12, Sidney 10, Leonard 8 and Myrtle 6, were all at school and Eva was 4.
Their daughter, Amelia, 20 and single was a General Servant on the 1911 census, living in the household of Emma Brierley, Confectioner in Pensby Road, Heswall-on-Dee, “In service” as they used to say.
UK, Soldiers Died in the Great War, 1914-1919 accessible on www.ancestry.co.uk confirms the above regimental details about Clarence and adds that he that he enlisted in Shotton. Clarence’s Medal Card also on ‘ancestry’, tells us about his medals and that his first Theatre of war was the Balkans which he entered 28th June 1915. They both state he “Died”. The Commonwelath War Graves Registration Documents (and not on the Certificate) he is said to have died of Dysentry.
Clarence is remembered on a family grave in St Deniol’s Churchyard Hawarden. ( North extension (1912/13) west of path. – Description – Gravestone with ivy leaf carving).
In loving memory of Trevor Rowland, Son of John and Lizzie Izzard of Queensferry, who died Nov 30th 1905aged 15 months.
He shall gather the lambs in his arms.
In memory of our dearly beloved son, Pte A.H. Clarence Izzard. 8. R.W.F. Died on active service in Egypt October 7th 1915 in his 21st year.
God called him it was his will but in our hearts he liveth still.
Also the above John Alfred Izzard who died jan 6 1954 aged 67 years.
John & Lizzie’s 5 sons were all in the forces. They each have an index card in the Flintshire Roll of Honour at The County Record Office in Hawarden. Four of the sons survived so their cards are filed with the ‘Living’. Clarence did not survive so his is filed with the ‘Fallen’. The cards give us the following information,
John Alfred was a Private in the 7th Worcester, 263045 and in 1919 was still serving, he had served in France, Camrai, Ypres, Somme.
Eric was a Private in the 1st R.W.F, 53942, he served for 4 years in France, Anore, Beaumont Hamel, Ypres, Italy, Prave, Montello, Asiago.
Sidney was a Stoker in the Navy on H.M.S. Lion, having served 9 months in 1919.
Leonard was a Boy Mechanic in the R.A.F, still serving in 1919. And of course…
Albert Howard Clarence Izzard, above, who died in the General Hospital, Alexandria whilst on Active Service. His card also stated that he landed at Sulva Bay.
The Absent Voter’s List – 1918, which is in the Flintshire Record Office at Hawarden, shows 2 of the Izzard brothers living at 46 Fairfield Road, Queensferry, they were:-
No. on the list – 5535 IZZARD, John Alfred Regimental details – 263045 Pte., 7th Worcesters
No. on the list – 5536 IZZARD, Eric Regimental details – 53942 Pte., 1st R.W.F.
John and Lizzie Izzard moved to 3, Thorpe St., Rhyl according to the additional information on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission database, probably after Clarence was killed as Clarence is remembered on the gravestone in Hawarden, as can be seen above.
He is also remembered on the Queensferry Roll of Honour and St. Ethelwold’s Church Screen.