Clarence William Tutbury Sheppard

Clarence was the son of Thomas Sheppard and Julia Holmes Sheppard nee Dudson. Thomas (born Nottingham abt 1858) and Julia (born Nottingham, birth registered 1860 J/F/M Basford) were married in 1878 (marriage registered O/N/D Basford). Nine children were named on the census between 1881 and 1901: Winifred (birth registered 1879 J/F/M Basford), May Beatrice (birth registered 1881 J/F/M Nottingham), Mary Elizabeth (birth registered 1883 J/F/M Nottingham), Wallace Herbert (birth registered 1885 J/F/M Nottingham), Julia Ellen (b. 1 January 1886), Thomas Albert (b. 2 December 1890), Clarence William Tutbury (b. 1893 J/A/S Basford), Martha Annie (b. 1895 A/M/J Basford) and Florence Ivy (birth registered J/F/M Basford). In 1881 Thomas (23), a lace maker, and Julia (21), a lace mender, were living in Nottingham (address illegible) with their two daughters, Winifred (2) and May (4m). Ten years later in 1891 they were living at 20 Hall Street, Sherwood, and had six children; Winifred (12), May (10), Mary (8), Wallace (6), Julia Ellen (5) and Thomas Albert (4 months). Thomas and Julia were still following the occupations of lace maker and lace mender respectively. By 1901 Thomas was a grocer/shopkeeper on his own account at 12-14 Birchin Street, Carrington. Julia was no longer working. All nine of their children were living at home: Winifred (22) and May (20) were working as machinists, Mary (18) was working as an assistant in her father's grocery shop, Wallace (16) was an engine fitter, Julia (15) a lace measurer, Thomas (10), Clarence (7) and Martha (6) were at school and there was the youngest child, Florence (4). Thomas Sheppard died aged 51 on 18 March 1909 (death registered J/F/M Nottingham) but his widow kept on the grocer's business as in 1911 she was living at the same address and her occupation was given as grocer/shopkeeper. Only five of her nine children were still living at home: Winifred (32) an overlocker, Mary (28) and Clarence (17) were shop assistants (presumably in the family business), while Martha (16) and Florence (14) were working in hosiery warehouses. Of Julia's four other children: May Beatrice had married Daniel Bowler, a printer cutter, in 1907; they had two children Daniel Thomas (3) and John Norman (1). Wallace Herbert (26), a fitter, had married Alice Upton in 1910 and he and Alice (26) were living at 65 Isandula Road, Basford. Julia Ellen (25) had married Edwin Horace Abbott (25), a lithographic printer (employer), in 1908 and was living at 80 Winchester Street, Sherwood. Thomas Albert (20), a litho pressman, was married to Gertrude Warren (21, b. Toronto, Canada), marriage registered J/F/M 1911, and they were living at 1 Toronto Terrace, Church Drive, Carrington, with their one-month old daughter, Winifred. In May 1911 Clarence attested in the Territorial Force. Clarence's widowed mother Julia married George Thomas Clay in 1912 and in 1915, the year of her son's death, was living at 68 Burford Road, Nottingham, later moving to 124 Hucknall Road. Sometime after the census in 1911 but before April 1920 Winifred married and emigrated to Australia, while Martha Annie married Harold P Cutler in 1918. In April 1920 Julia completed a form for the Army listing Clarence's surviving blood relatives: Mother: Julia Holmes Clay (60), 124 Hucknall Road, Carrington, Nottingham. Brothers: Wallace Herbert Sheppard (35), 80 Balfour Road, Derby; Thomas Albert Sheppard (29) 17 Crossley Street, Sherwood. Sisters: Winifred Trynam(?) (41), 7 Dickens Street, Bursley (?), Melbourne, Australia; May Beatrice Bowler (39), 19 Ramsay Street, Carrington; Mary Elizabeth Sheppard, 124 Hucknall Road, Nottingham; Julia Ellen Abbot (34) 80 Winchester Street, Sherwood; Martha Annie Cutler (25), 13 Toronto Terrace, Carrington; Florence Ivy Sheppard (23), 124 Hucknall Road, Nottingham. Clarence's mother, Julia (Clay formerly Holmes), died on 15 January 1923 aged 62. Her second husband, George Thomas Clay died on 19 January 1935 aged 76. Florence Ivy married Frederick H Lambert in 1926. Mary Elizabeth Sheppard died on 20 May 1935 aged 52; May Beatrice Bowler died aged 73 in 1953 (cremation 20 November); Wallace Herbert died on 4 May 1958 aged 73, he was still living in Derby; Julia Ellen Abbott died on 15 June 1973 aged 87 and Thomas Albert died 3 February 1977 aged 86.

At the time of the 1911 census he was a shop assistant. However, when he attested in the Territorial Force in May the same year he gave his trade as a mechanic for Hindlie? on Clumber Street, Nottingham.

12 Birchin Street Carrington Nottingham.

Clarence William Tutbury Sheppard enlisted in the 1/7th TF battalion (Robin Hoods) Sherwood Foresters on 4 May 1911. He was 17 years and 8 months of age and 5 feet 6 inches in height. He listed his occupation as mechanic and abode as 12 Birchin Street, Carrington, Nottingham. He would have trained as a Territorial Force soldier and in 1914 signed to serve overseas if required. The 7th battalion arrived in France on 28 February 1915 and the battalion then moved to Ploegsteert in Belgium. The battalion's first day in the trenches was 5th March; the war diary for 6th and 7th March 1915 - "6 March - Ploegsteert Instruction and practical experience in the trenches. Carried out as previous day. Private C W Sheppard, C, Company was accidently shot in the trenches by a Lance Corporal of the Hampshire Regiment" "7th March - Pte C W Sheppard was buried in Hampshire Battalion Cemetery on south side of road about half way between Ploegsteert and Le Chee (ref Map Ostend 1)" A letter in Clarence's service documents from the Officer Commanding 1/7th (Robin Hood), dated 15 April 1916, gives an account of the negligent discharge which resulted in Clarence's death: 'Relative to the accidental death of No 1394 Pte CW Sheppard killed in trench 6-3-15, No. 1394 Pte CW Sheppard was accidentally shot dead on the 6th March 1915. This Battn was at that time attached to the 1st Bn Hampshire Regt for instruction in trench duties. On the afternoon 6th March 1915 a Lance Corporal of the Hampshire Regt cleaning his rifle in the Trenches, accidentally discharged the same the bullet striking, and killing instantly, Pte Sheppard. The Lance Corporal was placed in arrest and taken out of the trenches the result of the disciplinary action taken by OC 1st Battn Hampshire Regt. and the name of the Lance Corporal is not known. Pte Sheppard was buried in the Hampshire Battn Cemetery. South Side of Road, halfway between Ploegsteert and Le-Chee, map refs OSTEND 1. Signed Arthur Brewill Lieut Colonel OC 1/7th (Robin Hood) Battn Sherwood Foresters.' The letter appears to have been a response to an enquiry about the action taken following the incident. Clarence is buried in Lancashire Cottage Cemetery (grave ref. I. F. 20) - 'Cherished Memories' John Morse

Personal dedication CWGC headstone: 'Cherished Memories' Inscription family gravestone, Basford Cemetery, Nottingham: 'In loving memory of Thomas Sheppard, who died March 18th 1909 aged 51 years. Also Pte Clarence Wm T Sheppard, 7th Robin Hoods youngest son of the above accidentally killed in France March 6th 1915 aged 21 years. Also Julia Holmes, beloved wife of George Thomas Clay, relect of the above died Jan 15th 1923, in her 63rd year. Our loved ones sleep. Also Mary Elizabeth, daughter of the above Thomas & Julia Sheppard, died May 20th 1935, aged 52 years. At rest. Also George Thomas Clay, died Jan 19th 1935, aged 76 years.' Nottingham Evening Post notice: 'SHEPPARD on the 5th (sic) inst. by accident, in the trenches, 1394 Private CWT, of the Robin Hoods, the dearly-loved and youngest son of the late Thomas Sheppard and Mrs Julia H Clay, 68 Burford Road, late of Carrington. He died an honourable death for his country's cause. Deeply mourned by all.' Clarence's personal effects were returned to his mother, Mrs JH Clay, 68 Burford Road, Nottingham, in June 1915. These comprised: autograph book, notebook, hairbrush, brush case, hair comb, identity disc, 2 metal watch chains, 2 clasp knives, safety razor, case or wallet contained photos, letters and etc. Article published in the Nottingham Evening Post dated 25th March 1915: “ROBIN HOODS UNDER FIRE" “WILL MAKE A NAME FOR THEMSELVES" “The following letter, addressed to the Post by Private H. Perryman (a member of the Nottingham Fire Brigade), will be read with much interest, as it relates how the Robin Hoods fared when under fire in the trenches for the first time. Private Perryman writes: “Just a few lines to let the Nottingham people know how the Robin Hoods fared in their first experience of being in the trenches under fire. We left Bocking, Essex, on February 25th, and arrived France on the 28th. At some places we were only 80 yards from the German lines. It was quite exciting, the English, French, and German guns going all day and night long. It reminds one of a fireworks display, especially when the rockets go up every now and then to find out the different positions at night time; only you have to be very careful. I have heard it said the Germans can’t shoot, but you must not expose yourself in the daytime. We only lost one poor fellow by accident [Clarence Sheppard] and two wounded by the enemy so didn't do amiss. We are enjoying ourselves as well as we can, and our officers do everything in their power to make us as comfortable as possible. We don’t stay long in one place, always on I the move, not much time for letter writing. You can take it from a good source that the Robin Hoods will make a name for themselves before they come back to England.” [2285 Private Perryman died of wounds 5 October 1915] Above article courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918