Luton History: The letter that haunted Herbert on Remembrance Day

On the 22nd January 1962, Herbert Clarke was celebrating his 70th birthday surrounded by his family. However, it was an achievement he never expected to reach.

Herbert was born in 1892, at Round Green, Luton. When 15 years old, he joined the 2nd Bedfordshire Battalion Regiment as a Band Boy, rising to the rank of Sergeant serving nearly 10 years, he fought in the South African Boer War, but was returned home for Hospital treatment,- he was awarded the South African Medal and the 1914 Star and Bar.

With the outbreak of the First War, Herbert signed up again, but in 1915, he was severely injured with lung, chest and shoulder wounds, taken to a German Military Hospital (not expected to live).

His wife received a letter from the War Office informing her that Herbert had been badly injured and not expected to recover. Shortly after, another letter arrived notifying her that her husband had passed away due to the severity of his wounds. However, unbeknown to the War Office, the dead Herbert was recovering from his wounds in hospital, having been sent back to the British Lines. While lying in London's St.John's Hospital bed he found his own name registered in the Newspaper Casualty list "Died of Wounds."

His injuries sustained were traumatic and life threatening. Eventually his treatment came to an end and he was discharged from hospital, being told there was little more they could do for him. Before leaving he asked the specialist for an honest opinion. He replied "If you reach fifty you will live forever."

The 1921 Census shows Herbert working under the Government retraining scheme for disabled persons based at a factory near Chaul End, Luton.

Herbert's first wife passed away in 1940. He married again in 1943, and during the Second War he volunteered for Guard duty at Luton Airport as well as undertaking light carpentry work for Seaward Bros. Builders.

Now in retirement, he passes his time gardening. "I've had a second chance with life and certainly don't want to waste it. I have reached seventy years and feel hale and hearty, but I still receive treatment for my old wounds."

He speaks of the War Memorial in Luton that was unveiled by Lady Ludlow on the 10th December 1922, in memory of those who bravely fought and sacrificed their lives during both the Wars. He goes on to say, "The Memorial serves as a strong reminder that Peace across the World can be fragile and unpredictable." He ended the conversation telling of the letter notifying his late wife of his death during the First War and how it had returned to haunt him, he said, "It appeared the War Office never rectified their records", Inscribed on the town's War Memorial it states : "H. Clarke having died while in Service for his Country".

Herbert attends the Remembrance Service when possible, he says, "It's a strange feeling seeing your name etched in stone before your life has come to an end."

Herbert Clarke's journey came to an end in 1965, aged 83 years.