CLANCEY John Austin Major

SKR/DAT/IP/20510

CLANCEY John Austin Major

2000-2024

The user is advised to read the FINDING AIDS document linked to this catalogue for an explanation of the method by which this record has been created and any terms used.

Surname: CLANCEY;

Forename(s): John Austin;

Initials: JA;

Rank: Major;

Born in: Brierley Hill, Staffs;

Resided in: Windsor;

Previous Regiment: R Ir Fus;

MGC Branch: Infantry;

MGC Unit: MGC TC;

How killed: D;

Where: UK;

When killed: 22-Jul-1918;

Gallantry Notes: MC LG: 01/01/1915;

Other Data: born Brierley Hill, Staffs in1877. Served 1 Vol Bn S Staffs Regt and as 280 Coldstram Gds from 14/10/1895.
Mil Service Sheet:
served Home 14/10/1895 - 9/3/1899
Gibraltar 10/3/1899 - 29/10/1899
SA 29/10/1899 - 4/10/02
Home 5/10/02 - 11/8/1914
BEF 12/8/1914 - 29/7/1915
Home 30/7/1915 to appointment to Commsn as 2Lt R Ir Regt. Posted 3 Bn and ordered to Portobello Bks, Dublin
Appointed Adjutant MGC Trg Centre 18/10/1915.
QSA (clasps Blemont, Modder River, Drief)
KSA (1901/02)
LSGC Army Order 99 of 1914
MID LG 8/12/1914
MC LG 1/1/1915
Medaille Militaire (France) AO Nov 1914
NOK: Patrick Clancey 28 High St Brierley Hills Staffs. Married, Aldershot 23/5/1903 Ellen Heighes (spinster)

Employment Sheet 1913, Coldstram Gds: previously a Clerk, now Drill Sergt, CG. In every way reliable, extremely smart and energetic, well educated, Dated 25/10/1913

Proceeds of Court of Enquiry 23/7/1915 by order of CO 2CG to enquire into cause of injury to 290 Sergt Major JA Clancey 2CG:
9479 Pte Smith A, RW Surrey Regt: on sentry duty - noticed something fall from roof - on going to see what, found a soldier lying on pavement unconcious - called Cpl of the Guard
10357 L/Cpl J Byrne 1 RW Surrey Regt: On 21st instant at Beuvry, about 2am - sentry called me to assistance of a soldier who had fallen from a window. Found soldier in delirious condition - fetched Medical Cpl. Carried man to his room - found to be S/M of 2CG.
9926 Pte J Tower 1 RW Surrey Regt: I went with L/Cpl Byrne and found man lying in night attire - unable to speak for some time - then became concious - he could not explain how he came to be there. He said he had been dreaming andthought he was in a dug-0out and had walked out of the door.
Lt HC Woody att RAMC: called to see S/M Clancey - found him lying in bed with a contused wound on the left jaw and right ankle and toe - no recollections. In very hysterical condition - laughing and crying in turn and complained of not having had much sleep for 5 nights
1825 RQMS A Webb, 2CG: on the 7th instant at Cambrin, as Bn HQ Party were marching off, two shells dropped very close to S/M Clancey - pieces struck him in the back and the explosion of the other knocked him over - since then he used to complain of the shock it had caused him.
Verdict: suffering from sleepnessness and shock due to severe shelling he had undergone a few days prior to accident. There is actual evidence to prove how he fell, but it is more than probable that he was walking in his sleep. I do not consider that any blame is attached to Sgt Major Clancey. J Steele Lt Col Cdg 2CH 26/7/1915.

Letter: 2/12/1915 from Brig Gen, Cdg MGTC Grantham to War Office - re: 2Lt JA Clancey RIR - requests appointment as Adjt gazetted straight away - HMM Hill
Letter: 2/5/1916 from Brig Gen, Cdg MGTC Grantham to War Office - requesting promotion to Temp rank of Captain for Clancey - "in addition to over 12,000 men, there are over 1,800 officers at this TC of whom the majority are young and undisciplined, necessitating constant disciplinary action. Desirable that Adjutant should hold the rank of Capt - I cannot spaek too highly of the zeal and ability displayed by 2/Lt Clancey" - HMM Hill
Letter 12/8/16: requests promotion (from T/Lt) to Capt with a view to assuming duties of Major to the Trg Group - in the interests of the service to promote him - HMM Hill
Letter 24/7/1917 "I have the honour to bring to your notice the excellentwork done at this Trg Centre, since promotion, by T/Major JA Clancey MC, RIR (MGC) He was the original Adjt of the TC and by his tact and sound work, materially assisted in forming the Centre. HMM Hill, Brig Gen, Cdg.

Medical Board: report on disabled officer 18/7/1918 - Maj JA Clancey, MGC, aged 41, service 23 yrs. Of 10 Trinity Place, Windsor.
Disability: carcinoma of stomach. "in 1913 patient had 1st symptoms of gastric trouble - complaint diagnosed as gastric ulcer but he carried on until May 1918 although suffering on and off all the time. In May admitted to KE VIII hospital and an operation was performed. He was discharged 22/6/1918. He has been in bed ever since. No previous Board proceedings available. Extremely emaciated. Large masses of growth are palpable in the stomach region and the organ is very much dilated. Condition greatly enfeebled, confined to bed and will not live, we consider more than a few weeks. Recommend be allowed to remain at home. 100% disability. Deceased 22/7/1918.

Letter "Dear Perry" I think this is clearly a case where the widow should be granted a pension .…Maj Clancey had no idea he was suffering from a fatal disease at the time of his marriage. I understand that the widow has recently given birth to a son which makes the case harder. Please treat this case sympathetically and let it go up to Pensions" R Hutchinson

Minute " as he died of cancer, which the AMD almost never regard as attributable or aggravated by military service it is possible that the widow will receive the ordinary rate of pension from the war office - ie. £70 per year for herself and £14 for each child. The value of an officers service is not a factor which can be considered in computing a widows pension but the fact that he had over 10 yrs service and died on the active list renders her eligible for the ordinary pension etc, etc.

Widow: Annie Mary Clancey, claims " I am 34 years of age - the above is acorrect statement of my means of support"
personal earnings…………none
pension………………………none
annuity………………………none
marriage settlement……none
value of house/land…….none
val of stocks/shares……£320 war loan……….£16 pa interest
value of other properties none
any other…………………..none

Letter from Clive Wigram to Pte Secretary to Ministry of Pensions: "His majesty feels that the rigid and literal enforcement of regulations is especially hard in this case having in view the servicesrendered to the country by Major Clancey and the fact that he had no idea that he was suffering from this disease at the time of his marriage. Mrs Clancey is not well off and has not the means to bring up her son to follow in the footsteps of his father. She is the daughter of Mr C Hutchings one of the King's messengers for 37 years in the service of the Sovreign. HM met Major Clancey when inspecting the MGC at Grantham and was especially struck by his smartness and efficiency. On 16/2/1918 he married at St Edwards Church, Alma Rd, Windsor, Miss Hutchings (dob 10/7/1884) to whom a son, John Austin Clancey) was born on 21/12/1918 ".

Pension granted 8/7/1919: £70 pa plus £16 pa for child.
Will, 7/12/1918 granted to Annie Mary Clancey, Gross value £222/0/1d
Widows Pension ceased 11/4/1966 (? Death of AM Clancey)

NB: Photograph "The Machine Gun Corps Magazine" Nov 1916, p10;

Other Notes: CLANCEY, Major, JOHN AUSTIN, MC, Royal Irish Fusiliers attd Machine Gun Corps (Inf). 22nd July 1918. Age 41. Awarded Medaille Militaire (France). Son of Patrick James and Jane Clancey; husband of A. M. Clancey, of 10, Trinity Place, Windsor. Born at Brierley Hill, Staffs. HN. 40. Windsor Cemetery - Berkshire, United Kingdom.;

Related National Archives files: WO339/39302;

END OF RECORD.

English

1 digital record

Users to read Finding Aids page. Further information may contain GDPR-protected information and not be released. Appointment required for access or paid research.