It’s easy to be nostalgic about ‘the good old days’ but quite another thing to have lived through them. Personally, I am eternally grateful for so many aspects of modern life, particularly antibiotics.
When 39 year old Ewart Hubert Clack died in 1906 the obituary published in the Swindon Advertiser stated ‘that strange disease, appendicitis claimed him for a victim.’
The Late Mr E.H. Clack – The mortal remains of the late Mr Ewart Hubert Clack, whose death was announced in our last Friday’s issue, took place on Saturday afternoon amid many manifestations of sorrow. The deceased was the fourth son of the late Mr Charles Clack, who for many years resided in Newport Street, Swindon. For some years Mr Hubert Clack had been employed as a clerk in the GWR Timber Stores, though he commenced his business career as an ironmonger, having served an apprenticeship under Mr Joseph Walter, who at that time had a shop in High Street, Old Swindon, and another in Bridge Street. New Swindon.
In the GWR Works Mr Clack had won the respect of all with whom he came in contact. Nor were his many friends confined to those who were engaged in the Company’s service, for all who came into close touch with him found in him an affable companion, and one who was ever ready to sympathise with those in trouble.
It is only sixteen months ago that he entered upon married life, his wife being a daughter of Mr George Moore of Curtis Street.
That strange disease, appendicitis claimed him for a victim, for nothwithstanding strenuous efforts made to save his life, he passed away on Wednesday morning in last week, at the comparatively early age of 39 years.
Many tokens of respect were visible on the occasion of the funeral, neighbours and friends uniting in manifestations of grief. The cortege left the deceased’s late residence, 33, Tennyson Street, the chief mourners being: Mr and Mrs Ashley Clack (brother and sister in law), Mr Douglas Clack and Mr Bernard Clack (brothers), Mrs E.L. Gardner and Mrs A.E. Clack (cousins), Mr George Moore (father in law) and Mr John Frost. Others who joined the sad procession included Mr R. Wall, Chief of the Department where the deceased had been employed, while a number of the clerks attended to show their last token of respect to their late companion.
The first part of the funeral service was conducted in St Mark’s Church, the officiating clergyman being the Rev K.M. Graeme, who also conducted the remainder of the service at the Cemetery.
Extracts from The Swindon Advertiser Tuesday December 4, 1906.
Ewart Hubert Clack was born in Swindon in 1867, the son of Charles Clack, a boot and shoe manufacturer, and his wife Eliza. The family home was at 67 Newport Street. Ewart married Elsie Winifred Moore at St. Paul’s Church, Swindon. At 21 years old Elsie was more than 15 years younger than Ewart. The couple’s daughter Reta/Rita Mabel was born in 1907, after Ewart’s death, and baptised at St Mark’s on March 4. It seems likely Elsie remarried and emigrated to Canada where Rita grew up in Toronto.
Ewart Hubert Clack was buried on December 1, 1906 in grave plot C1763. It is possible this was a public plot and later sold to the Critchley family where Henry James was buried in 1937 and his wife Louisa in 1940.
Radnor Street Cemetery 