Trafford

Born during the December quarter 1904 in the Chorlton R.D. - ref: 8c/935,
the son of Alfred Aldred & Violet Ethel Clarke (nee Chadwick).  Which, at
the time of his death, makes him aged 39, not 44 as he is recorded by the
CWGC?!!!

1911 Census - 3 Lofas St Moss Side, Manchester.   Son - aged: 6 - Scholar -
born: Manchester.   Head of household - Alfred Aldred Clarke - Married -
aged: 31 - occ: Clerk - Sewing Machines - born: Stretford.   Also Violet
Ethel Clarke - Wife - aged: 26 - born: Manchester.   Plus 2 younger
sisters, his maternal grandmother and 1 boarder.

1921 Census - 1, Lofas Street, Moss Side, Manchester.   Son - aged: 16 yrs
9 mths - occ: Office Boy at Manchester Town Hall - born: Manchester.   
Head of household - Violet Ethel Clarke - Wife - aged: 27 - occ: Home
Duties - born: Manchester.   Plus 2 younger sisters.

He married Elizabeth Woodier during the September quarter 1934 in the
Manchester South R.D. - ref: 8d/323.

1939 National Registration - 71 Arderne Road, Altrincham.   Alfred Aldred
Clarke - Born on the 9th November 1904 - Married - occ: 	Local Government
Officer (Ware Works) Disabled.    Elizabeth Clarke - Born on the 12th
November 1908 - Married - occ: Unpaid Domestic Duties.

The Frigate HMS Blackwood was sunk by U-764 off Portland.

The 3rd Escort Groups did not sail until the 7th June when it escorted a
convoy down to the English Channel and took up its patrol area which was
from Portland to Cherbourg, where for the first eight days when many non
sub contacts were made, but everything changed on the 14th June the
Blackwood was detached to Portland to oil and store ship and to return
early on the 15th June 1944. 

HMS Blackwood set off to join the group which was patrolling off the
Cherbourg peninsula. At about 1500 hrs Cooke detached from the group for
her turn at Portland. The Blackwood arrived back with the group which was
in a position north west of Cap de la Hague at approximately 1900 Hrs and
had just manoeuvred into position on the screen when she was hit at 1911
Hrs by a torpedo which exploded just forward of the bridge superstructure
in the hedgehog bomb magazine, which caused a huge explosion and the
forward part of the ship was blown off and sank, the mast collapsed and the
bridge structure was flattened aback, in position 50.07N - 02.15W the
remaining part of the ship remained afloat, two Air Sea Rescue launches
were nearby and were soon on the scene, where they took off all the
survivors, including the wounded. Essington was detailed to standby
Blackwood, while Duckworth and Domett commenced a sweep in the direction
from which the attack came, Duckworth obtained a strong asdic contact and
made a Hedgehog attack which was thought to be successful, after which all
contact was lost and asdic conditions deteriorated which allowed U 764 to
drift away on a strong tide at about two knots and finally limp back to
Brest to have the damage caused by Duckworth's attack on her stern repaired
. The hulk of the Blackwood finally sank at 0410 on the 16th June 44 in
position 50.13N - 02.15W.   57 Members of her crew lost their lives, and a
similar number were wounded.

CWGC - Son of Alfred and Violet Clarke; husband of Elizabeth Clarke, of
Timperley, Cheshire.

His widow married - James J. Walsh in 1947 in the Bucklow R.D.

See also the Stretford Database.   Commemorated on  the St. Bride's WW2
Memorial.