Clement Stanley Binns

Clement Stanley Binns was born in 1884, the youngest of six children born to George Binns, a clothier and outfitter, and his wife Mary Jane, née Wardlow, both of whom had been born in Sheffield.

The Binns family lived for many years at 7 Broomhall Road, Sheffield. Clement’s three brothers became clothiers and outfitters like their father. However Clement, who had attended Ashville College near Harrogate (a Methodist school), and Sheffield University, became a solicitor, and a member of the firm of Newsom and Binns, solicitors, of Cambridge Street, Sheffield. He was also a committed member of Hanover Street United Methodist Church, and of its Literary Society.

On 14th May 1914, Clement married Ruth Victoria Whitney (apparently known as Queenie), one of many children of the late Colonel Charles Allcot Whitney, a Liverpool printer, and his third wife Mary. Clement and Ruth had two children: George, born in 1915, and Lorraine, born in 1916. By the time of their son George’s birth on 7th March 1915, Clement and Ruth were living at Fern Bank, Brinkburn Vale Road, Abbeydale - perhaps they had moved there on their marriage.

Clement served initially as a platoon commander in the Chief Constable’s Civilian Corps, a volunteer defence corps. However in 1915 he joined the 20th (Service) Battalion, the Northumberland Fusiliers (1st Tyneside Scottish), as a 2nd Lieutenant. Sent to France in 1916, he was reported missing on 1st July 1916. His body was never identified, and he is commemorated on the Thiepval Monument. He was eligible for the Victory and British War Medals.

In addition to being commemorated on the Dore War Memorial, Clement is also commemorated on the Ashville College War Memorial, the University of Sheffield Roll of Honour.