#On This Day 17th December

Alan Clark, my first cousin once removed, was born on this day in 1912. His birth year saw several major events that shaped the world around him:

In this year, 1912, the following events happened.

The Sinking of the Titanic: One of the most tragic events of 1912 was the Titanic disaster, which I've mentioned earlier in this Advent Calendar.

James Callaghan, who later became a prominent Labour Party member and served as British Prime Minister from 1976 to 1979, was born in 1912. Alan would have been alive during Callaghan's tenure. It’s interesting to wonder if he supported the Labour Party.

Enoch Powell, another influential politician, was also born in 1912. He became a Member of Parliament for a Wolverhampton constituency as a Conservative. Perhaps Alan was a Conservative instead, or his political views were influenced by the broader political landscape of his time.

Alan was the son of Thomas Frederick Clark (1894-1975) and Mabel Stone (1894-1957). He was born on December 17, 1920, in Hastings, Sussex, England. The 1939 register shows him working as a Youth in Training for the Post Office Engineering Department in Hastings. In 1945, he married Mary R E Day, and together they had three children—two daughters and one son. Alan and Mary eventually settled in Surrey, where Alan passed away on October 9, 1976.

Thomas Frederick Clark was the brother of Rose Ellen Clark, which means Alan could have been present in family photos from events such as the wedding of Frank and Rose, mentioned in a recent post. My mother, Rose's daughter, often talked about Alan, who they saw regularly.

Several significant events throughout Alan's life would have impacted him:

1917: Elizabeth Garrett Anderson, the first English woman physician, died and was buried in Aldeburgh, Suffolk. She founded the first hospital staffed by women, a significant milestone in medical history.

1936: The birth of Tommy Steele, an English singer and actor. I wonder if Alan enjoyed his music, given Tommy Steele's popularity during the 1950s and 1960s.

1954: The British Petroleum Company (BP) was formed, marking a significant development in the energy industry.

1967: Alec Rose, aboard Lively Lady, completed his solo 14,500-mile sail from Britain to Australia, having been at sea for 155 days. It was a remarkable achievement.

These events influenced the country during Alan's life and some could have had a direct impact on him. Reflecting on these moments helps us better understand the country during his lifetime.

Tommy Steele