Drummer Fletcher Clough
1837 1/5th East Lancashire Regiment
Died of Wounds, 9th June 1915, aged 16.
Fletcher was the son of Henry Clough and Annie Starkie. There is some confusion of when he was born, His birth was registered by the GRO in the June quarter of 1901 in Burnley, Lancashire but in the 1901 census his age was put down as 2 and in the 1911 census as 11. In the 1901 census the family were living at 21 river St, Burnley with Annie’s mother Ann Gallagher 62 and a widow. Henry 28 a coal miner, Annie 27 cotton spinner Mary 10 John 6, Fletcher 2, Josephine 4mths, Thomas Rogers 23 (son in law) and Josephine Rogers 25 (daughter to Mother Gallagher). All of Henry’s family were born in Burnley.
By the time of the 1911 census the family had moved to 158 Cleaver St., Burnley. Henry 38, Annie 37, Mary Ann 20 weaver, John Thomas 15 coal miner, Fletcher 11, Josephine 10, Albert 9, Maggie 7, Alice 4, Annie 1 and a week old baby yet to be named. Henry and Annie had been married 21 years and had had 11 children 2 of whom had died in infancy.
Fletcher’s father, Henry (Private 36072) was serving with the 6th East Lancashire Regiment in Gallipoli. Fletcher died from his wounds on board HS Grantully Castle.
From the Burnley Express and Advertiser dated 30th June 1915: BRAVE BURNLEY BOY A DRUMMER’S GREAT ENTHUSIASM (Burnley Express 30/06/15)
Mr and Mrs Clough, of 158 Cleaver Street, Burnley received official notification on Saturday of the death from wounds of their eldest surviving son, Drummer Fletcher Clough, of the 1/5th East Lancashire Regiment. The lad joined the Territorials a few months before the outbreak of war, and celebrated his 16th birthday in the trenches at the Dardanelles. When he first joined he was a bugler, but the official notification describes him as a drummer, so he must have had a step up while away on active service. Though one of the youngest members of the Battalion, he was so keen on his soldiering that he was among the first to volunteer for foreign service. His parents were present when volunteers for Foreign Service were asked for, and afterwards he said to his mother, “You won’t claim me out, mother, will you?” As a result of his persistency and the country’s need for soldiers, his parents decided not to claim him out. While in Egypt he wrote home telling his parents to let his brother Albert, who is only 12, also go as a bugler. Albert attempted to enlist, and much to his disappointment he was told he was too young. His father has also joined a Company of the 5th Battalion East Lancashire Territorials, which have been training in Burnley. The young drummer, as soon as he heard his father had enlisted, wrote home expressing his pleasure at hearing the news. He was a nice lad, and greatly liked by those who knew him. He was formerly employed as a weaver at Messrs West’s Browhead Shed.
From the Burnley Express and Advertiser dated 30th June 1915: ROLL OF HONOUR.
Clough-Died of wounds received in action At the Dardanelles on June 20th, Drummer Fletcher Clough, aged 16, and of the 1/5th Battalion East Lancashire Regiment (Territorials), son of Mr & Mrs Clough, 158, Cleaver Street, Burnley, -From father, Mother, and family.
From the Burnley News dated 30th June 1915: “The Last Post” – Burnley Bugler Hero Killed on Active Service.
A young Briton who has laid down his life for King and country is Bugler Fletcher Clough of the 5th Battalion East Lancashire regiment, whose parents reside at 158 Cleaver St., Burnley. An official intimation of his death reached the family on Saturday. He was formerly a weaver at Messrs’, West’s Brow Head Shed. Bugler Clough joined the Territorials when 15 years of age, and though, so young he was one of the first, if not actually the first, to offer himself for active service. The incident occurred on Bank Hall Field, and naturally stands out vividly in the memory of his mother who was present on the field, and was amazed to see her boy step forth briskly as a volunteer for active service. Mrs clough in an interview with a representative of “Burnley News” said: “ We could have dropped when our boy came straight out of the ranks. Afterwards we asked him why he did so and he replied: “ Do you think I am going to be a coward? No, I’m going with them and he implored me not to claim him out, whatever I did.”
“ I could have claimed my boy out” Mrs Clough went on, “What with Kitchener making a demand for men, I resolved not to be a coward and let him go.”
“When the East Lancashires were at Bury prior to going to Egypt I went over to see him. The commander brought my boy to me and then I asked him “Are you contented.”
He said “Contented. I’m not going back to Burnley. I’m going to fight. Tell our Albert I’ll send him the helmet from the first German I Kill” He wanted Albert to join as a bugler, and whilst in Egypt he wrote asking us to let him go. Albert has tried to join but he is too young. He cries because they won’t take him.”
Twelve months ago Bugler Clough bought his first bugle out of his pocket money and he was bent on learning how to play. When at home he used to amuse his little sisters by sounding the “Reveille” and accompanying himself on the piano with one hand.
Since the outbreak of war Bugler Clough’s father has joined the 5th East Lancashire Territorials, at present training in Burnley, and in his last latter home he compliments his dad on answering Kitchener’s appeal.
From the Burnley News dated 3rd July 1915: Burnley bugler hero. – killed on active service.
As announced in our Wednesday’s issue, an official intimation of the death on active service of Bugler Fletcher Clough, of the 5th Battalion E. Lancashire Regt. Was received Saturday last by his parents, who reside at 158 Cleaver St., Burnley. Bugler Clough joined the Territorials when 15 years of age and though so young he was one of the first if not actually the first to offer himself for active service
Fletcher lived at 158 Cleaver Street.
Fletcher left his effects to his mother Annie.
Fletcher was buried in East Mudros Military Cemetery, Greece: Grave Ref; I. C. 56. The son of Henry and Annie Clough of 85 Keswick Road, Blackpool.
Fletcher is also commemorated on the Burnley Lads Club Memorial which is now in Townley Hall, Burnley.