Rectory Lane Cemetery, Berkhamsted

Dorothy Ellen Clarke

21/06/1890 –11/07/1979

Wife of Percy Clarke

Relatives

Percy Rupert Clarke (467) — husband

• Melanie Hilton

Plot 467 Dorothy Ellen Clarke (née Baker) (1890-1979)

Dorothy was born 21 June 1890 in Chesham, Bucks. Other than that her mother’s maiden name was Mardle her parents have not been identified.

She married Percy Rupert Clarke, a commercial clerk in Berkhamsted on 19 September 1914 and they were to have three sons: Donald Percy (1916), Allan W (1921) and Percival R (1927). The family lived in King’s Road, Berkhamsted, although in the 1921 Census Dorothy, Donald and Kenneth were living at 135, Victoria Terrace, Littlehampton. The census return was signed by Percy, but he does not appear on it and Dorothy is described as Head of Household.

In 1939 the family were all together at 47, King’s Road.

Percy died aged only 47 in 1939. Dorothy survived him by 40 years, dying 11 July 1979. They are buried together here.

Percy Rupert Clarke (467)

01/04/1892 –16/11/1939

Bourne scholar who became an accountant and freemason

Relatives

Dorothy Ellen Clarke — wife

Leonora Clarke — mother

Alfred William Clarke (813) — father

Private Harold Julius Clarke — brother

John William Clarke — brother

• Melanie Hilton

Plot 467 Percy Rupert Clarke (1892-1939)

Percy was born 1 April 1892 in Berkhamsted, the son of William Alfred Clarke, a commercial clerk born in Oxfordshire, and his wife Leonora (née Lunnon) from Abbots Langley.

In 1901 the family were living at 23, Station Road. Percy had two older brothers and two older sisters and two younger brothers. Their father died in 1902 when Percy was only 9 years old and Leonora was left to raise seven children. It must have helped that Percy was one of the pupils awarded the Bourne Scholarship, worth £5. He was also expected to wear a distinctive cap.

 Fortunately all but one had all secured paid employment by 1911. The four oldest boys and one daughter were all clerks and Percy’s other sister was a school teacher. Only one son was still at school.

Percy married Dorothy Ellen Baker on 19 September 1914 at St Peter’s. It has not been established whether Percy served in the armed forces during the First World War, however, his brother Harold Julius was killed in action at Ypres in 1915.

They had three sons: Donald Percy (1916), Allan W (1921) and Percival R (1927).

On 12 May 1920 Percy became a Freemason, initiated into the Berkhamsted Lodge.

Where Percy was at the time of the 1921 census is not known. Dorothy, Donald and Kenneth were living at 135, Victoria Terrace, Littlehampton. The census return was signed by Percy, but he does not appear on it and Dorothy is described as Head of Household.

In the 1939 Register Percy and his family were recorded at 47, Kings Road. Percy was working as a “certified accountant”.

He died 16 November 1939 in West Herts hospital aged only 47. Dorothy survived him by 40 years and is buried here with him.

His parents are buried in Plot 813 and the gravestone also commemorates his brother Harold Julius.  His brother John William (1889-1927) lies in an unmarked grave in this cemetery.