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I am trying to find any descendents or relations of my half-sister, Doris Maud Clarke, born in 1915 at Horsman Street, Southwark. She and Ernest Charles Clarke (born 1914) were the children of Priscilla Daisy Clarke nee Barratt and Charles Edwin Clarke, my late Father.

I would be very interested in any information, as I know nothing of her apart from her birth details, in fact I did not know of her existence until a few years ago.

Thank you
Pauline Denmark nee Clarke

Have you searched for a death for Doris as a child?

Do you know where other members of the Clarke family were after
1915?

Hi Tom, I am wading through death and marriage records, but Clarke is a very common name! Our Father was serving in the Army before and during the first world war, and so far as I know was in France and Belgium for much of the time. However, these two children were born in 1914 and 1915 respectively, so he must have had some leave during the War! I do remember him speaking of Ypres. Ernest Charles (known to us as Charlie) served in the army in WW2 and it was my understanding that he was taken prisoner, but I neither know where or when. His son was born in 1942 I think, just one year after me!

I know about Charlie's wife and son, as he was part of our (later) family, but know nothing of Doris Maud. I just wondered if there were some other relations out there who might be able to contribute to the story.

Thank you for your suggestions.

Pauline Denmark nee Clarke

Hi; Pauline do you know the father of Ernest and Doris I might have a connection Vicky

This looks like her birth. Maybe we can trace forwards from here

England & Wales, FreeBMD Birth Index, 1837-1915
about Doris M Clarke
Name: Doris M Clarke
Year of Registration: 1915
Quarter of Registration: Jul-Aug-Sep
Mother's Maiden Name: Barrett
District: Southwark(1901 Onw)
County: Greater London, London
Volume: 1d
Page: 184 (click to see others on page)


And her brother

England & Wales, FreeBMD Birth Index, 1837-1915
about Ernest C Clarke
Name: Ernest C Clarke
Year of Registration: 1914
Quarter of Registration: Jan-Feb-Mar
Mother's Maiden Name: Barrett
District: Southwark(1901 Onw)
County: Greater London, London
Volume: 1d
Page: 56 (click to see others on page)

Checked marriages and theres just too many to pin her down. Is it worth tracing Ernest's wife and children or do you already have this info

I just thought that maybe his children might know of Doris?

x

Pauline

I found this and though it worth posting. You said he was a prisoner of war, does this ring any bells?

UK, British Army Prisoners of War, 1939-1945
about E. C. Clarke
Name: E. C. Clarke
Rank: Serjeant
Army Number: 6851062
Regiment: Kings Royal Rifle Corps
POW Number: 32812
Camp Type: Stalag
Camp Number: 344
Camp Location: Lambinowice, Poland
Record Office: Rifle Corps Record Office, Winchester
Record Office Number: 24

x

I wonder if theres a chance that Doris never married?

England & Wales, Death Index: 1916-2005
about Doris Maude Clarke
Name: Doris Maude Clarke
Birth Date: 16 Apr 1915
Death Registration Month/Year: Mar 1997
Age at death (estimated): 81
Registration district: Surrey South-Eastern
Inferred County: Surrey
Register number: 1B2F
District and Subdistrict: 7601B
Entry number: 64



Actually, looking again at marriages, there are not that many for the area of her birth. So if she did stay in the region then depending on how much you want to find her movements, it would mean buying a couple of certificates

You'd need to be prepared to spend a few pounds but not that much. Maybe 2/3 certificates would likely pin her down

Let us know if you would like the more 'obvious' marriages posting

So the parents didnt marry until after Ernest and Doris were born

England & Wales, Marriage Index: 1916-2005
about Priscilla Barrett
Name: Priscilla Barrett
Spouse Surname: Clarke
Date of Registration: Apr-May-Jun 1916
Registration district: Camberwell
Registration county (inferred): Surrey
Volume Number: 1d
Page Number: 1511
Find Spouse: Charles




London, England, Marriages and Banns, 1754-1921
about Priscilla Barrett
Name: Priscilla Barrett
Age: 21
Estimated birth year: abt 1895
Spouse Name: Charles Clarke <<<<Private RGA 9 Bridon St
Spouse Age: 22
Record Type: Marriage
Event Date: 19 Apr 1916
Parish: Christ Church, Camberwell
County: Middlesex
Borough: Southwark
Father Name: Alfred Barrett <<<<<<<Labourer
Spouse Father Name: George Clarke <Carpenter

Witteness; C Salter and Violet Miller

x

PS Im not convinced that the marriage record says 'George' for Charles father. It's hard to read but Im pretty sure it's not George, looks more like 'Ernest'

Maybe someone else could take a look

Hi Ginny, you've got the correct people, my Dad was indeed in the RGA (Royal Garrison Artillery) and yes, both children were born before he married Priscilla. It's funny, though, I've just checked both birth certificates, and for the first time noticed that on Ernest Charles certificate, Dad is shown as Edward Charles, not Charles Edward, (or Charles Edwin) as his birth certificate shows. The detail for my grandather is correct - George Clarke, Carpenter. I don't actually have the marriage certificate, so that is one I really should acquire. Thank you for all that info. It is just some unfinished business - I felt strange ever since I heard about Doris, to think that I had a half sister and didn't know her. There were, of course, the equivalent of 3 families for me. My Dad's son from his marriage, my Mum's children from her marriage, and their children from their partnership. They never managed to get round to getting married, but of course, we didn't know that at the time, and there was not, so far as I can tell, a divorce from Priscilla Daisy, though Mum always said she divorced her husband! Whatever, so far as I am concerned, they were the best parents anyone could have!

Hi again, a posting of the obvious marriages would be good, if it's not too m uch trouble. I do have access to a lot of records, but my husband has Alzheimer's Disease, and I can't leave him for long to spend time on the computer. I often do it in the small hours, when he is asleep!

Thanks again
Pauline Denmark nee Clarke

England & Wales, Marriage Index: 1916-2005
about Doris M Clarke
Name: Doris M Clarke
Spouse Surname: Cannon
Date of Registration: Oct-Nov-Dec 1937
Registration district: Surrey North Eastern
Registration county (inferred): Surrey
Volume Number: 2a
Page Number: 291
Find Spouse: William A J


England & Wales, Marriage Index: 1916-2005
about Doris M Clarke
Name: Doris M Clarke
Spouse Surname: Fisher
Date of Registration: Jul-Aug-Sep 1940
Registration district: Croydon
Registration county (inferred): Surrey
Volume Number: 2a
Page Number: 2479
Find Spouse: Thomas H



England & Wales, Marriage Index: 1916-2005
about Doris M Clarke
Name: Doris M Clarke
Spouse Surname: Crooks
Date of Registration: Jul-Aug-Sep 1934
Registration district: Wandsworth
Registration county (inferred): Surrey
Volume Number: 1d
Page Number: 1534
Find Spouse: Robert H


England & Wales, Marriage Index: 1916-2005
about Doris M Clarke
Name: Doris M Clarke
Spouse Surname: Betteridge
Date of Registration: Jan-Feb-Mar 1945
Registration district: Surrey Mid Eastern
Registration county (inferred): Surrey
Volume Number: 2a
Page Number: 382
Find Spouse: Richard G



x

Pauline

Take a look at that marriage for Priscilla. I'm sure it doesnt say 'George' on the document?

x

Hi, I've looked at the marriage record again and it is definitely George Clarke for the father of the groom, and all the other details agree with what I already knew. Strange to see my Dad's handwriting again after all this time.
Thank you for the trouble you have taken for me.

Pauline Denmark nee Clarke

I am aware that I have not thanked everyone who tried to help with this search. I am sorry for the tardy reply, but I am very grateful to all those people who contributed.

Thanks again
Pauline Denmark