Francis (Frank) James Clarke, ladies and gents hairdresser, came to settle in Yoxford around 1904. Men’s haircuts cost 3d in the 1920s (around 50p). Frank and his son Dudley Francis, barber, (b 6th September 1900 in Harleston, Norfolk) worked together until Frank died in 1933 aged 61. Dudley continued the business on his own for a while; he appears in Kelly’s Directory for 1937. He died in 1974 when he was living at 1 Wayside in the High Street.
Francis was born 18th July 1871 in East Harling, Norfolk, the son of Francis James Clarke Sr. and Sarah Stone. He was baptised 20th July 1873. He married Ellen Chenery, born in Yoxford, daughter of James, in 1896. Children Hilda Ellen born in 1898 and Dudley in 1900, both in Harleston in Norfolk.
In 1881 Francis was nine years old and together with his eight-year old brother William George, was living with their grandparents William Peake, a shoeing smith and his wife Maria (nee Grimstone), a dressmaker. (They had married in 1862 in the Guiltcross district of Norfolk).
By 1891 Francis was in Yoxford where he was employed as footman to brewer Robert Youngs and family at The Rookery. Robert and all his children were born in Norwich.
In 1901 the family were in Jay’s Green in Harleston where Francis was employed as a butler, domestic.
In 1911 the family were living in the High Street and the two children, aged 13 and 10 were in school. By the time Dudley was 13 he was helping his father in the business.
Dudley married Daisy Fevyer (born 8th June 1904) at St Mary’s Church in Woodbridge in 1926. They had two children, Robin N in 1930 and Averil E in 1940.
By 1939 Dudley and family were living at Pine Tree Cottages in the High Street and Dudley was a Master Hairdresser.
Dudley also led an active sporting life in the village, playing football, cricket, tennis, bowls and billiards. At some point he was working for Boots in Saxmundham and was there for about 16 years.
Dudley became one of the first members of the RAOB (Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes) when it was formed at the Blois Arms. This is now the largest fraternal organisation in the UK. It was founded in 1822 and is known as The Buffs to members.
Dudley was a POW in 1946.
Dudley died in 1974 and at his funeral, members of the RAOB formed a guard of honour on the church path. There were representatives of Boots, Saxmundham also present. Ida Kett was present, (she was a cousin on her father Chenery’s side).
Robin married June Rumsby in 1955. They had a son Derek.