William Henry Clark, a former Air Mechanic with the Royal Air Force, died in Shirley on 25th July 1922, aged 36, leaving his widow, Lilian, with three young children aged seven, five and two.
Born in Birmingham in 1886, William Henry Clark married Lilian Laura Barber (1884-1971) in Aston in 1912. They had three children, all born in Solihull between 1915-1919:
- Lilian Lucy Clark (1915-1993), married Arthur W. Monckton in 1944
- Edith Olive Clark (1916-2007), married George Turrall in 1940
- William Albert Clark (born 23rd November 1919)
William Henry Clark was a gunsmith by trade and worked for the Birmingham Small Arms Co. before being called up for war service and joining the Army on 23rd January 1917, aged 30. He served in France from 23rd March 1918 but was discharged on 3rd May 1918 as being unfit for further service and was awarded a Silver War Badge.
By 1921, the family was living in the parish of Tanworth-in-Arden. At the time of William’s death, the family was at Crofton Cottage, Tanworth Lane, Shirley. According to his death certificate, he had been working as a cycle fitter and died at Tanworth Lane, Shirley Heath as a result of bronchitis and lobar pneumonia (both lungs) lasting eight days.
By 1939, William’s widow, Lilian was living in Birmingham with the couple’s three children. She died in Birmingham, aged 87, in 1971.
If you have any further information about the family, please let us know.
Tracey
Library Specialist: Heritage & Local Studies
email: heritage@solihull.gov.uk
Solihull Life 
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