John Seymour Denison Clarke

[Cramond Brig]

I am researching Scots emigres or man of Scottish descent who came to Scotland to enlist in Scottish regiments in World War 1. One such was John Seymour Denison Clarke, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, born about 1895, died 10/11/1917, age 22, who was the son of Denison Clarke and Hester Clarke, of West Hill, Grahamstown, South Africa.

I have been unable so far to find out any more, other than that on his WW1 medal Card, the family's home in Grahamstown is named as "Argyll". This leads me to suspect that there is a Scottish connection somewhere.

I wonder if anyone can tell me anything about this family?

Alistair
Edinburgh, Scotland

[braw]

Cape Town Archives have this record:
Source:MOOC
Volume: 6/9/1395
Reference:920
Description:Clarke:,John Seymour Denison, Estate Papers
Date: 1919

Do you have a maiden name for Hester?


Bruce

[Cramond Brig]

Cape Town Archives have this record:
Source:MOOC
Volume: 6/9/1395
Reference:920
Description:Clarke:,John Seymour Denison, Estate Papers
Date: 1919

Do you have a maiden name for Hester?

Bruce

Thank you. I believe she was Hester Norton, born about 1872.

Alistair

[braw]

These might be realtives:
Cape Town Archive,

Depot:KAB
Source:MOOC
Volume: 6/9/17436
Reference: 4408/50
Description: Clarke, Sydney Denison, Estate Papers
Date: 1950

Depot: KAB
Source:MOOC
Volume:6/9/4258
reference:37504
Description:Clarke. Denison Leslie, Estate Papers
Date:1933

[Cramond Brig]

Bruce

Thank you.

I have also found another interesting story. Alistair Ingram Davis, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, also died in the war. His brother, Maurice, served in the same regiment, and survived. Their father was Peter Davis who seems to have owned The Natal Witness until he died, when his wife, Mary, took over. She seems to have been active in politics and women's movements and was awarded an OBE. She was born in Edinburgh.

Alistair

[braw]

Alistair Ingram died id 1918 and Maurice Ingram died in 1940,The Natal Witness later renamed The Witness
was taken over by a company called May and Davis in 1852 and by 1860 it was solely owned by Davis Sr,his son Peter took over from him in 1873 and when he died in 1919 his mother,Mary ran it for awhile before handing it over Philip Davis

[Cramond Brig]

Alistair Ingram died id 1918 and Maurice Ingram died in 1940,The Natal Witness later renamed The Witness
was taken over by a company called May and Davis in 1852 and by 1860 it was solely owned by Davis Sr,his son Peter took over from him in 1873 and when he died in 1919 his mother,Mary ran it for awhile before handing it over Philip Davis

Both Maurice and Philip fought in WW1. Mary qualified as a Teacher at Moray House, Edinburgh and worked as a Governess before emigrating. Wikipedia has an entry about the Natal Witness at
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Witness_%28South_African_newspaper%29

[rutti tutti]

The witness is still going strong and a lovely local paper - had my wedding pic in it!! Website is witness.co.za
Alistair is buried in PMB Commercial Road Cemetery died 11 April 1918 in France.
Ruth

[Cramond Brig]

The witness is still going strong and a lovely local paper - had my wedding pic in it!! Website is witness.co.za
Alistair is buried in PMB Commercial Road Cemetery died 11 April 1918 in France.

Ruth

It must be a real quality paper to have had your picture in it!!

Quite unusual for casualties to be buried at home. Most were buried close to where they died in what are now Commonwealth War Graves cemeteries. It was only people with real influence or plenty money who could get their loved ones home.

Alistair