VANN C. L.
Clarence Leonard Vann
Private 43211
14th Bn., Durham Light Infantry
Clarence Leonard Vann died on Thursday 30 August 1917, Age 20, and was buried in ST. PATRICK'S CEMETERY, LOOS, Pas de Calais, France.
He was born in Skegby c1897 to parents Nathan and Charlotte Ann Vann. Nathan Vann was a Deputy in the Coal Mine, and was a native of Thringston, Leics., while Charlotte was originally from Shropshire. At the time of Clarence's death the family were living at Fern Villa, Stanton Hill, Notts.
In 1919, Mr & Mrs Nathan Vann made a gift to the Stanton Hill Methodist church of a new pulpit and communion rails, as a memorial to their son. [From The Story of Skegby and Stanton Hill, by W. Clay-Dove]
 Memorial Silk Bookmark |
Notts Free Press, 19th October 1917
At the Stanton Hill Primitive Methodist Church on Sunday morning
a memorial service was held for four young men who have sacrificed their lives
at the war. (Privates W. J. Mountney, J. W. Dorricott, H. Smith and C. L. Vann),
all of whom were previously connected with the above place of worship. Evidence
was not wanting that the deceased soliders were held in high respect and that
much sympathy was felt for the bereaved families. In spite of the service being
held in the morning, the seating accommodation of the building was taxed almost
to the extreme, and the large assembly was augmented by the presence of the
Stanton Hill Brass Band under the conductorship of Bandmaster J. T. Parkes, and
a good representation of the local volunteers and officers. The service was
conducted by the Rev. M. H. Bainton (circuit minister), Sutton, who delivered an
appropriate sermon on the 37th verse of the 10th chapter of St Matthew's Gospel.
Prior to making reference to the deceased soldiers, the preacher extended much
sympathy to the bereaved families in their great loss. These young men were not
only brave but good.
In speaking of C. L. Vann, the Rev. M. H. Bainton remarked that numerous letters
had been received from his schoolfellows testifying to his sterling worth. The
minister also added that he personally was looking forward to the deceased's
return as becoming an official of the church and a prominent worker in the
service of Christ.
Notts Free Press - In Memoriam - 30th August 1918
Vann - In loving memory of Private Clarence L. Vann, Durham Light Infantry, fell at Loos, August 30th 1917, aged 20 years. - From his loving Father, Mother, Arthur & Addie (Stanton Hill) and Cecil (France).
From
‘Soldiers who died in the Great War 1914-19 –
Durham Light Infantry’
VANN Clarence. Enlisted Leeds. 14th Bn., Durham Light Infantry, Private 43211, Killed in Action, France & Flanders, 30th August 1917.
Research by Heather Faulkes
Bookmark from the collection of Heather Faulkes
