Published in the Reporter 16th November 1918. HURST SOLDIER. Mr. and Mrs Thomas Clarkson, 35, Princess Street, Hurst, have received official news of the death of their son, Private 2199 JAMES CLARKSON, 1/5th Manchester Regiment, on October 20th (transferred from the 9th battalion). One of his comrades has written to say that he was killed by a shell and that he saw him fall as they were advancing to make an attack. Private CLARKSON joined the army when quite a youth, and served for a time in the Militia. On the outbreak of the war he was on special reserve and rejoined the forces in August 1914. He went out to France with the 2/9th Manchesters, and was three times wounded, once in the right foot by shrapnel, another time he was hit by a snipers bullet in the face, and on the third occasion a bullet went through his hip. His brother-in-law, Able Seaman WILLIAM WOLLEY has served in the Royal Navy for ten years, and another brother-in-law, Rifleman JOHN McBRIDE, is serving with the Royal Irish Fusiliers. He has been wounded once, and has returned to France after being over on hospital leave. (James Clarkson is buried in Belle Vue British Cemetery, Briastre).

Selina Hadfield