Morning Evelyn - Below is my printout of Mr. Clarke - I have just added this to his Biography - I hope you find it of interest?
Regards Brian
Clarke, John Frederick Preston. 22 Tunstall Street, Smithdown Road, Liverpool. Orchestra (Bass).
(From: Mansion House Titanic Relief Fund Booklet, March 1913)
Number 688. Clarke, Ellen. Mother. Clarke, Eileen Mary, Sister. Clarke, Emily Florence, Sister. All class F dependants.
Body number 202. Estimated age 35. Black hair, no marks. Clothing:- Grey overcoat, grey muffler, uniform, green facing, green socks, crucifix. Effects:- Diamond pin, gold watch, keys, knife, sovereign case, No. 2, pocketbook, memo book, 8 shillings in coins, gold ring marked J.F.P.C.''.
Interred at Mount Olivet Cemetery, Halifax, Nova Scotia stone number 202.
Named on the Musicians Memorial at the Old Library site, London Road, Southampton.
also named on the St Marys Church Musicians Memorial, St Marys, Southampton.
also he is mentioned on a plaque in the lobby of the Boston Symphony Orchestra (Symphony Hall) Boston, Massachusetts.
also remembered by a broken column memorial at Broken Hill, Australia.
also There is a painting by C. Robinson dedicated to the Titanic Musicians in Leeds City Art Galleries, Yorkshire.
also named on the Musicians Memorial in Liverpool Philharmonic Hall.
also there was a memorial to the bandsmen at the Institute of the National Orchestra Association, Archer Street, London, W, unveiled on the 17th July by Mr. Landon Ronald, Principal of the Guildhall School of Music.
also there is a memorial tablet in St. Mark's Church, Dewsbury to the Titanic's bandsmen. It reads:
This tablet was erected over the Churchwardens' pew by Canon Rawnsley of Keswick School of Art, to the memory of the Titanic disaster off Cape Race, April 14th, 1912, in which 1,517 people lost their lives:
''With thanks to God for the memory of the brave bandsmen who perished at the post of duty on the steamship Titanic, 14th April, 1912''
Nearer My God to Thee
also named on a brass and wooden plaque in the Liverpool City Mission, Jubilee Drive, Edge Hill, Liverpool (this plaque was originally in the Beacon Hall, Wavertree Road, Edge Hill, Liverpool). The plaque reads:
To the Glory of God and in Memory of W. Hartley (leader), R. Bricoux, W. T. Brailey, J. F. C. (sic) Clarke, J. L. Hulme (sic) , G. Krins, P. C. Taylor, J. W. Woodward.
Musicians of the S. S. Titanic who lost their lives in the sinking of that vessel on 15th April 1912.
This Tablet is Erected by public Subscription
Nearer My God to Thee
(From The Birkenhead News 20th April 1912).
An Argyle Theatre's Bandsman Among the Titanic Orchestra
One of those on board the Titanic and who it is feared is amongst those who have perished, is Mr. J. F. P. Clarke, formerly a member of the orchestra of the Argyle Theatre of Varieties. Mr. Clarke in his short time he played the Bass at the theatre.
He then got employment with the White Star Line and was appointed as a member of the orchestra formed to render music on the ill-fated Titanic. He was in the Birkenhead in the early part of last week, and said good-bye to friends preparatory to leaving for Southampton to join the Titanic. Mr. Clarke is very well known in musical circles. Only two Saturdays ago he was in Brikenhead and was very well. He attended the performance at the Argyle Theatre and met a number of friends there.
He appeared rather morose and he said had hopes of receiving great benefit from his voyage on the Titanic. After completing his services with the White Star Company, he hoped to embark on a musical season again. He was an enthusiastic musician, and has played in the Liverpool Philharmonic band. He had a large circle of friends in Birkenhead.
The survivors from the Titanic are loud in their praise of the members of the orchestra. After the collision they brought their instruments on deck and played almost until the moment that the ship broke in two and foundered. The last item of a concert such as surely has never taken place in the history of the sea is reported to have been ''Nearer My God To Thee''.
(From Progress July 1912, the Journal of Lever Brothers)
Port Sunlight was directly and indirectly associated with the great suspense, and subsequent sorrow, which thrilled this country and the world when the new and gigantic White Star Liner Titanic heir of all the ages of constructive science, foundered on her maiden voyage, with a loss of 1,503 lives out of a total number on board of 2,206.
The fate of Mrs. Leather, sister to our Mr. Leston Edwards and his family. Happily, tidings of Mrs. Leather's safety eventually turned the sympathy on to the congratulatory side.
Mr. Fred Clarke of the Titanic's band whose performances up to the last moment willl live in the history of the disaster, was for many years a familiar and popular ally of our Philharmonic Society at their special concerts. Villagers will easily recall his appearance at the Coronation Concert. Many who knew him had a melancholy satisfaction in attending a special benefit performance in aid of his mother and sisters which was held at the Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool, in May.
Then amongst the public men, was one comparatively recent visitor to Port Sunlight, Mr. Christopher Head, formerly Mayor of Chelsea, who was here as recently as October last in conference with us on the subject of Town Planning, in which he was particularly interested.
A memorial service was held at Christ Church on Sunday evening, April 21st, conducted by the Rev. L. H. Mills, whose discourse was devoted to the subject of the Titanic disaster. Chopin's March Funebre was rendered by the organist (Mr. Woodroofe) at the close of the service, the audience reverently upstanding.
