Charles Valentine Clarke

Who was Charles Valentine Clarke?

Charles Valentine Clarke was a 29-year-old (twenty-nine-year-old) English dairy worker who tragically lost his life in the sinking of the RMS Titanic on April 15, 1912. Born on February 14, 1883, in Cosham, Hampshire, he was a second-class passenger aboard the ill-fated ship, traveling with his wife Ada Maria Clarke to San Francisco, California.

Early Life and Family

A Valentine’s Day Birth

Charles Valentine Clarke was born on February 14, 1883, in Cosham, Hampshire, England. His name was aptly chosen to reflect his Valentine’s Day birth, a charming detail that would follow him throughout his short life.

Family Background

Charles was born into a family with deep roots in the local community:

• Father: Harry Clark (b. 1857), a brewer and dairyman from Cosham
• Mother: Jane Emma Hall (b. 1859), originally from Emsworth, Hampshire
• Siblings:
  • Harry Leonard (b. 1882)
  • Charles (b. 1883)
  • Edith Kate (b. 1885)
  • George (died in infancy)

Childhood and Youth

The Clarke family’s life was closely tied to the local hospitality industry. In the 1891 census, we find them residing at the King and Queen Inn on High Street, Cosham, which Charles’s father operated. This early exposure to the family business likely influenced Charles’s later career choices.

Education and Early Career

A Curious Detour

Interestingly, the 1901 census paints a different picture of young Charles’s life:

• He was listed as a boarder at 2 Hill Side, New Haven, Sussex
• Lived with Mr. and Mrs. John Gay, who were seamen missionaries
• Charles apparently worked as their clerk

This period in Charles’s life raises intriguing questions. What drew him to work with seamen missionaries? Did this experience influence his later decision to emigrate?

Following in His Father’s Footsteps

Despite his brief foray into clerical work, Charles eventually returned to his family’s traditional occupation. Like his father before him, he became a dairy vendor, embracing the trade that had sustained his family for years.

Marriage and Personal Life

A Hampshire Romance

On June 29, 1908, Charles married Ada Maria Winfield, born on December 14, 1883. Ada was a resident of Netley, Hampshire, suggesting that the couple’s roots were firmly planted in the region.

Married Life

The 1911 census provides a glimpse into the Clarkes’ married life:

• They lived at Sea View on Solent Road, Drayton, Hampshire
• The couple had no children

The Fateful Titanic Journey

Embarking on a New Adventure

On April 10, 1912, Charles and Ada boarded the RMS Titanic at Southampton as second-class passengers. Their ticket (number 2003) cost £26, a significant sum at the time, reflecting their middle-class status.

A Letter Home

Charles penned a poignant letter to his parents on the day of departure:

“Dear father and mother, Just a line to let you know we are both well and are doing justice to what we have paid for… We are well on the way to Queenstown, which we expect to reach about noon tomorrow… We nearly had a collision on leaving Southampton, which I will tell you about in my next letter if we reach New York.”

This letter, filled with excitement and a touch of foreboding, would be the last his parents received from him.

The Tragic End

Charles Valentine Clarke perished in the sinking of the Titanic on April 15, 1912. His body, if recovered, was never identified. His wife Ada survived the disaster and returned to England.

Memorials and Remembrance

The loss of Charles deeply affected his community:

• A special memorial service was held at the Chapel-on-Ease, High Street, Cosham
• Canon Scott, who led the service, noted that Charles had helped women and children into lifeboats after the collision
• His parents placed a touching acknowledgment in the Portsmouth Evening News, thanking friends for their condolences
• Ada Clarke later requested to place a brass plate in St. Peter and Paul’s Church in memory of her husband

Charles Valentine Clarke’s story, while tragically cut short, serves as a poignant reminder of the many lives affected by the Titanic disaster. His final act of heroism, helping others to safety, stands as a testament to his character and the values of his time.