Pte 22524 Clarence Searson

• Age: 23
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 20th Btn
• D.O.W Thursday 9th March 1916
• Commemorated at: Corbie Cc
  Panel Ref: I.E.3

Clarence was born in Liverpool on the 01st June 1892, the youngest of eight children born to Walter George Searson and his wife Annie (nee White). He was baptised at St. Dunstan's C. of E. Church on 30th November 1892. The family address was given as 25 Mulliner Street and his father's occupation as an assistant curator. 

The 1901 Census shows the family lives at 142 Adelaide Road, Liverpool, having moved from Manchester. His father, is shown as being 47 years of age, born in Middlesex, London is said to be an assistant caretaker at a medical school in Liverpool, whilst his mother is shown as a 46 year old born in Knutsford. Clarence is shown as an 8 year old and he has four siblings who were listed as; Jessie a 23 year old machinist, Agnes a 21 year old machinist, Ethel a 17 year old also employed as a machinist and Alfred aged 12. Jessie, Agnes and Alfred were born in Manchester whilst Ethel was born in Sale.   

In 1911, Annie is shown at 7 Hope Place, Liverpool, where she is employed as a nurse with Miss Elizabeth Elkin and her uncle William T. P. Banks, a 75 year old retired accountant. In the same Census, his father Walter George is shown at 14 Prescot Road, Fairfield, Liverpool, with his daughter, Jessie and her husband James and 3 year old  daughter, Ethel. Walter is unemployed. Clarence’s older brother, Walter Thomas, born 1874, is married and living with his wife and 2 children at 86 Barlow Road, Levenshulme, Manchester. There is no record of Clarence on the Census he is not with his parents at either property.

On 06^th November 1914 in Liverpool, Clarence enlisted, joining the 20th Battalion of THe King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 22524. He gave his age as 22years 186 days and his occupation as clerk. He was five feet, five and three and three quarter inches tall, weighed 144lbs, 39" chest, fresh complexion, blue eyes, brown hair and gave his religion as Church of England.

Formed in November 1914 the 20^th Battalion were originally billeted at Tournament Hall, Knotty Ash before on 29^th January 1915 they moved to the hutted accommodation purposely built at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 20th Battalion alongside the other three Pals battalions left Liverpool via Prescot Station for further training at Belton Park, Grantham. They remained here until September 1915 when they reached Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain. 

He served in France from the 07^th November 1914, earning all 3 medals.

On 06th March, Clarence was shot and on the 09^th March 1916, he died of wounds at 5 Casualty Clearing Station, of wounds sustained in action on the 09^th March 1916.

He now rests at Corbie Cemetery, Grave I E 3, where his headstone bears the epitaph:

"ONE OF THE UNRETURNING BRAVE SILENTLY SLEEPS".

Corbie was about 20 kilometres behind the front when Commonwealth forces took over the line from Berles-au-Bois southward to the Somme in July 1915. The town immediately became a medical centre, with Nos 5 and 21 Casualty Clearing Stations based at La Neuville (the suburb across the Ancre) until October 1916 and April 1917 respectively. In November 1916 the front moved east, but the German advance in the Spring of 1918 came within 10 kilometres of the town and brought with it field ambulances of the 47th Division and the 12th Australian Field Ambulance. The communal cemetery was used for burials until May 1916, when the plot set aside was filled and the extension opened. The majority of the graves in the extension are of officers and men who died of wounds in the 1916 Battle of the Somme. The remainder relate to the fighting of 1918. The communal cemetery contains 249 First World War burials, the extension 918. The extension was designed by Charles Holden.

His death was reported in the Liverpool Echo on 15th March 1916:

SEARSON - March 9, died of wounds in France, aged 23 years, Clarence Searson (4th Pals Liverpool), the dearly loved youngest son of Annie Searson, 39 Hinton Street, Fairfield.

In health and strength he left his home,

Not thinking death was so near;

Death came - without a warning given,

And bade him meet his God in heaven.

No loved one stood beside him, to hear his last farewell,

No word of comfort could he have from those he loved so well.

From his sorrowing Mother and Family.

He was remembered by his family, on the first anniversary of his death in Liverpool Daily Post  on 09th March 1917:

SEARSON - In loving memory of Private Clarence Searson (K.L.R.), who died of wounds received in France, March 9, 1916.

He was a brother, an upright son, who always thought of us,

And as long as life and memory last will be ever dear to us.

Friends may think that we forget him when at times we're apt to smile,

Little knowing what is hidden beneath the surface all the while.

Sleep on, dear brother, in a foreign grave,

Your life for your country to nobly gave.

(Will never be forgotten by Family) - 39 Hinton Street, Fairfield, Liverpool.

Probate was granted to his mother Annie at Liverpool on  04th August 1916, the records show:

SEARSON Clarence of 27 Cretan Road, Wavertree, Liverpool. Private 20th Battalion King's Liverpool Regiment died 9 March 1916 in France. Administration (with Will) Liverpool 4 August to Annie Searson (wife of Walter George Searson). Effects £50 18s 2d.     

In late 1916, his effects were sent to Mrs A. Searson, his mother, living at 41 Smithley Road, Sheffield which included wristlet watch, strap and brass closed ring.

In her signed declaration of 1919, Annie gives her address as 86 Barlow Road, Levenshulme (the address of her son, Walter Thomas) while she endorses her entry concerning Clarence’s father, Walter George, as address not known. She also declares her son, Walter Thomas, and her daughters, Jessie Farrell and Minnie Gibson (both daughters living in Liverpool) as being Clarence’s surviving siblings.

The CWGC records show Clarence as the son of Walter George and Annie Searson, 86 Barlow Road, Levenshulme.

We currently have no further information on Clarence Searson, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.