Our readers, for the most part, will have heard of the loss we have sustained in the death of Fr Basil Clarkson. To them, as to us, it came as a great surprise and shock; and, no doubt, they will look to the Journal for some account of how it occurred. At Fr Abbot's request he came from Calgary to give a report of the state of affairs with regard to the proposed College and Mission in that place. He landed in Liverpool on Monday, Nov. 17, and spent a few days amongst his friends in Lancashire. He seemed to be in excellent health, and declared he had never felt better. On Saturday, 22nd, he went to Ampleforth, apparently quite well; but on the Sunday night he was taken ill, and on the Tuesday Dr. Porter found that he was in a very serious condition, and advised an immediate operation, for what appeared to be some internal growth. He was taken that afternoon to Leeds to a private nursing home, accompanied by Fr Denis Firth, who happened to be at the Abbey for his Annual Retreat. He was operated upon the same evening; but it was discovered that nothing could be done to save his life. After coming round from the anaesthetic he received the last Rites. He lingered on till Wednesday midday, when he died. His remains were brought to Brownedge where he had been Head-priest for the twelve years previous to his appointment to Calgary. The funeral took place on Nov. 28, Fr Abbot officiating, and a large number of the Fathers being present. He was in the fifty-sixth year of his age, the thirty-sixth year of his Religious Profession, and twenty-ninth of his Priesthood.
He first came to Ampleforth about 1870. As a student he was remarkable for his intellectual abilities, and headed his class, and matriculated in the London University in 1876. He went to Belmont in 1877, and returned to Ampleforth in 1881, and was ordained priest in 1885. For some time he was Prefect of Studies, then Procurator. He was a man 'of many parts.' Though he did not rank, perhaps, as a gifted musician, still we can recall how he efficiently and successively played almost every instrument in the 'College Band.' He was no stranger to Art, and proved his power in this by superintending (and doing much of the actual work) of the decoration of the ceiling of the church over the Sanctuary and Choir. Amongst his other gifts was that unusual, and erstwhile considered 'magic' one, of finding water by the 'divining' rod. Thirsk, we believe, owes its water supply to his 'finding' near to Gormire. He was pre-eminent in Mathematics, and it was his delight to work out a difficult mathematical problem; or a 'puzzle' that required a quick mind and which usually defied most people, yielded its secret very quickly to him. He was, however, of a quiet, retiring disposition and did poor justice to himself and his many talents. All who lived with him marvelled at his many and varied gifts. It is related at Brownedge how the whole neighbourhood was annoyed with loud explosive sounds that issued from the foundry opposite the church. Protests were made without avail. One day Fr Clarkson called at the foundry and asked to see the Manager, and explained to him how he could so minimize the sound that it would scarcely be heard. It was in the course of some process of treating the hot metal that the terrible sound was made. Since that day to this the neighbourhood scarcely knows of the existence of the foundry except for its smoke.
In 1895, he went on the 'Mission,' and was for short periods at St Mary's, Warrington, and then at Workington. In 1898, he was appointed to assist Fr Pozzi at Brownedge, and after the latter's death, in 1900, was appointed his successor in the charge of that mission. In the twelve years he then spent at Brownedge he erected the beautiful Lady Altar, Communion Rails, new Presbytery; and had almost completed the fine new Parochial Hall when he was sent out to Calgary to found a College and Mission for the benefit of the English-speaking people of that part of Canada. Besides the material improvements at Brownedge he inaugurated two new guilds and resuscitated a third. In recognition of his good work, and to honour his Silver jubilee of his Priesthood, the congregation made him a handsome presentation in 1911. To them, as to others, his sudden illness and death came as a great shock - and this was testified by the extraordinary scene witnessed in the streets and church on the night of the arrival of his last remains. Catholics and non-Catholics in great crowds showed their grief and sympathy then and at the Dirge and the subsequent obsequies. But a few days before he had visited Brownedge in apparent good health.
It may not be known to many that one of his sisters was one of the pioneer nuns who went to Calgary many years ago; and that she died and was buried there, and that a few years after her remains were discovered still incorrupt. That he should have followed her to Calgary seems a remarkable coincidence; but knowing, as we now do, that the malignant growth which caused his death must have been there for some time past, it is strange he, too, did not die there. It seems as if he had to come home to die. But the privations and hardships of the first four or five months in Calgary, along with the anxiety his position must have given him, may have accelerated the growth of the tumour or cancer. He was not, however, a man to complain - and the writer of these few words can testify to his extraordinary power of bearing sufferings and privations without a murmur. To those not intimate with him he might have appeared to be stoical; but in reality he had a most tender heart and keen feelings. He could be most genial; but evidently the 'Multum loqui non amare' of St Benedict's Rule was a favourite rule of his, and one he practised.
In conclusion, we regret the loss of one of such sterling worth, and beg the prayers of all for the repose of his soul. R.I.P.
Thomas Basil CLARKSON 26 November 1913
1858 25 Aug Born at Preston
1870 Educ at Ampleforth
1876 Matriculated London University
Ampleforth Prefect of Studies - Procurator
1877 5 Sep Clothed at Belmont Prior Raqual
1878 6 Sep Simple Vows " "
1882 10 Feb Solemn Vows Prior Whittle
1879 22 Jun Minor Orders Belmont Rt Rev JC Hedley
1882 4 Mar Subdeacon Ampleforth Bishop Lacy
1884 23 Mar Deacon Ampleforth Bishop JC Hedley
1885 23 May Priest Ampleforth Bishop Lacy
1895 4 Aug St Mary's Warrington Assistant
1896 7 Oct Workington Assistant
1897 17 Oct Brownedge Assistant
1899 15 Mar Borwnedge Incumbent
1912 9 Nov Went to Calgary Canada
1913 22 Nov Arrived at Ampleforth to report to Council
26 Nov Died after operation at Leeds
Buried at Brownedge