8th December 2015 Thomas Joseph Clarke was born in 1897 in Stamford. His father, Henry, came from London and married Margaret, the daughter of William & Margaret Cummins of St Peter’s St in 1896. Thomas was the eldest of 7 children who were all born and grew up in Stamford but Bernard died before 1911 and the 2 youngest were born after 1911. In 1901 Henry Clarke was the publican at the Golden Fleece, 18 Sheepmarket. He was also a joiner. Perhaps this didn’t work out very well because by 1911 the family has moved to 4 Belgrave Terrace, off North Street and Henry was working as a pattern maker at an iron foundry. Thomas was an apprentice joiner. It has been difficult to find out about Thomas’ wartime service or occupation because there were several T Clarkes in Stamford. The British, Victory and Silver War Badge were awarded to T J of the 4th Lincolns and this may well be him. Likewise he may well be the Thomas Clarke who married Elizabeth Clark in 1918. His sister Agnes, married George Cooper of Stamford and died in 1970. Theresa married Samuel Frederick Price and Margaret Mary (Died 2000) married Stanley Herbert Graham. His brother Henry died in the Stamford area in 1957. Thomas may have moved away.