Trafford

Born during the March quarter 1895 in the Barton on Irwell R.D. - ref:
8c/731, the younger son of John & Mary McCracken (nee Brodie).

1901 Census - Atherton Cottages, Moorside Road, Flixton.   Son - aged: 6 -
born: Patricroft.   Head of household - John McCracken - Married - aged: 37
- occ: Grocer's Assistant - born: Manchester.   Also - Mary McCracken -
Wife - aged: 34 - born: Papcastle, Cumberland.   Plus 1 elder brother.

1911 Census - Moorside Road, Flixton.   Son - aged: 16 - occ: Clerk on
Railway - born: Patricroft.   Head of household - John McCracken - Married
- aged: 47 - occ: Grocer at Co-op Society - born: Manchester.   Also - Mary
McCracken - Wife - aged: 44 - born: Papcastle, Cumberland.   Plus 1 elder
brother  and a Brodie cousin.

SDGW lists date of death as 14/04/15.

Listed as C.M. Cracken on St. Michael's Mem -  J.M. McCracken on St. Mary's
Memorial.

Listed only as Clement McCracken on the CWGC web-site.

Private William Dennis of the 9th Royal Scots received the following letter
from his sister, Beaty, dated 15th April:

Dear Will,

we received your card this morning of the 11th. Mother was rather down in
the dumps because she had not heard from you. We got to know about your
billet being shelled. Alf told us about it, some people named McCracken (or
something like it) had word that their son had been seriously wounded in
the back. He was Will Sharpe’s chum. Jim Eve is over, he does not wear
kilts, neither as he got a big coat. Mr. F has not gone to Grantham yet, it
is taking them long enough, he had a day off yesterday, for getting a
recruit. 

 Dr. Martin called this afternoon to ask about you and hoped it will not be
long before he sees you and all the rest, again. We have been having rather
cold weather for the time of the year, last Saturday it thundered and
lightened not a bit like Easter. All the Steelworks’ chaps had no time
off, but they had two days pay for Good Friday and Easter Sunday. I think
some of them are making their fortunes. There seem twice as many young men
down there now. F. Savory has had to have his foot taken off, he got it
crushed at the Steelworks. The Irlam Villa footballers are having a benefit
match for him on Saturday. I had a letter from Lily Edwards last week. She
says Amy and Albert are in France. It is nearly bed-time so I will write
again soon, so will mother. 

Best love from all, your affectionate sister,    Beaty (p.s. enclosed you
will find magazine notes).

Another extract:

On the 12th April, William [Dennis] had been in the nunnery at the time 11
soldiers were killed and 65 wounded (including his friend 20 year old
Private Clement McCracken, service no. 2799, who died 2 days later) by
German shells. He attributed his safety to being later than usual in
getting up in the morning. On the 20th April 1915 William sent home a
letter card: I am quite well, I have received your letter dated April 15th
1915, letter follows at first opportunity’ A final letter card home,
dated 22nd April 1915, read ‘I am quite well, I have received your letter
dated April 19th 1915, letter follows at first opportunity. William died on
23rd April 1915 during the Second Battle of Ypres.