Pelton Cemetery
Pelton Cemetery
100763 Private
F. Clasper
Durham Light Infantry
30th June 1918.
Nearby is a family headstone which reads:-
In loving memory of
Private Fred Clasper
who died June 30th 1918
aged 21 years
Also Private John Clasper
who was killed in action
October 26th 1917 aged 31 years
beloved sons of George and
Mary Ann Clasper Pelton Fell
The strife is o'er, the battle done.
William Kirby has submitted the following:-
Fred, born in 1896 at Pelton Fell was the son of George and Mary Ann Clasper. In 1911 the family were at Dove Cote Pelton Fell. George was a Deputy Overman and Frederick was a pony driver at a local mine. George and Mary had eleven children of whom two had died by 1911.
Fred enlisted in 1915 and was placed in the Reserves. He was mobilised in May 1918 and joined the 3rd Battalion Durham Light Infantry. He died at the Northumberland War Hospital, Gosforth 30th June 1918 from Lobar Pneumonia. His parents of 3 Dove Cote, Pelton Fell had been summoned to his bedside. Fred's father visited and after his death wished for the remains to be sent to his home. His body was to be conveyed to Pelton Fell by ambulance.
Chester Lads (& Lasses) For Ever a Heritage Lottery Fund supported project by Chester-le-Street Heritage Group has submitted the following:-
The Chester le Street Chronicle 05/07/1918 reports:-
Private Fredk. Clasper (21) D.L.I., whose parents reside at Dove Cote Grange Terrace Pelton died in Gosforth Hospital, on Sunday, after having been joined up only five weeks. Mr and Mrs Clasper have lost three sons during the past eight months, one being killed in France, one died at home and the above in hospital.
The interment took place on Wednesday evening at Pelton Church when a large congregation assembled at the military funeral. A firing party was present from Chester-le-Street, together with a division of the St. John Ambulance Corps and the Battalion band under Mr I. Almond. The service was conducted by Rev. C.F.B. Hazlewood and Rev. A.C.C. Firman. The choir sang "Now the labourer's task is o'er" and "On the Resurrection Morning. " At the graveside the usual three volleys were fired and The Last Post sounded.
Fred's mother Mary Ann died 18th May 1919 aged 62 years and his sister Mary aged 39 years died 27th February 1923 they are both buried with Fred. (OC331) His nephew Jethro Clasper, (son of George) who died aged 16 years 20th October 1918 is buried in the next grave.(OC330) Fred's father George married Isabella Cornforth in 1924 and they are buried elsewhere in Pelton Cemetery in 1934 and 1932 respectively. (F205)
Fred Clasper is remembered at Chester-le-Street on C105.01, C105.12, C105.15 and and C105.40 at Pelton on P26.01 at Pelton Fell on P27.01 and P27.04
He is also remembered in the D.L.I. Book of Remembrance page 167
