Samuel Leonard’s parents George A. Clarke and May Cooper were married in 1891 at St. Paul’s Church Chester (CE16/1/216)

Samuel Leonard Clarke was born around 1895, (his birth Certificate (HAW/41/97)) and his brother George Alfred was born in 1899 (HAW/45/55).

The 1901 census records the family   at 11, North Street, Mold Junction,Saltney, Hawarden. Flintshire. Head of the household was George Alfred Clarke, 34 a Wagon Examiner at the Wagon Company.  His wife was May, 30. They had both been born in Chester.   Their listed children were Alice May, 7,  Leonard, 6, Maud, 3 and George 12.  There was a visitor, Fred Cooper,  a Baker, Bread Maker.   There were two boarders – Thomas Bryan, 20 and Thomas Jones, 24.

The 1911 census sees the family still at no. 11, North Street., George Alfred, 45, was still a wagon examiner and his wife of 19 years,  May was 42 She had given birth to  9 children  but sadly they had lost 3 of those children.  The children listed in the household were Alice May, 18,  Leonard, 16, was  Grocer’s Assistant in the Co-operative Stores.  Maud, 14, George, 12,  Emily 9 and Minnie 5.

UK, Soldiers Died in the Great War, 1914-1919 accessible on www.ancestry.co.uk  confirms the regimental details above and tell us that Leonard’s birthplace and  enlistment place was Chester. His medal card also on ‘Ancestry’ details his medal entitlement.

There is an index card for Samuel Leonard Clarke in the Flintshire Roll of Honour at The County Record Office.( Card Saltney Ferry F6) which confirms his address and states that his period of Service was 4 years. His Regimental details were confirmed as above. The card says that  he was  “Deceased June 1918.”  The card signed by George Alfred Clarke, 18th October 1919. (father or brother?)

Leonard’s brother George served in the army  and was a Prisoner of War for a while. I have some details about his war service. Please contact me via the website if you would like to know more.