Speaker: Rebecca Clarke
Rebecca’s talk on HMS India is a condensed version of her book and website, and covers a brief history of P&O cruiser turned World War One Royal Navy Cruiser HMS India, as well as information on the 10th Cruiser Squadron. There are dramatic retellings of the torpedo attack with accounts given by crew from both HMS India and the U-boat.
Rebecca reveals the reactions to the attack from the war office, foreign office, papers, and loved ones. Much of the talk is about life in internment in Norway, a part of the First World War that very few people know about.
Over 100 men were interned in Norway for over 3 years, and 1 of them was Rebecca’s grandfather-in-law RA Clarke. Rebecca uses excerpts from RA Clarke’s letters as well as reflections from other internees to bring the experience of the camp alive, sharing stories of loneliness and love, of isolation and madness, and of parties and marriage.
It is a talk that will appeal to those with an interest in the First World War and general history, as well as those who are interested in family research and family history.
Rebecca was born in Australia in 1972 and grew up in and around Melbourne. After completing secondary school teacher training at the University of Melbourne, she taught in Melbourne schools before marrying and starting a family.
Rebecca’s husband’s job has led to many opportunities for travel, as a couple and then as a family, and they and their children have had 3 secondments to London as well as spending time in York, Madrid, and Brussels.
Since 2013 the Clarke’s have lived in West London where Rebecca has home educated her children, written a book, and volunteered with the National Trust, as well as helping to run choirs and being a trustee for a youth music education service. Rebecca’s teaching experience was centred around the subjects of English, Music and Drama but she has always had an interest in history and in family history.
You can find out more on her writer, speaker, researcher website and her HMS India website.
Medway Archives Centre Lecture Series:
This is talk 4 in the Medway Archives Centre (MAC) series of 6 lectures.
Booking is essential. To do so, you can:
- email archives@medway.gov.uk
- phone: 01634 332 714
- drop-in to see us at the MAC.