This is the final resting place of John Frederick Preston Clarke. He was born in Liverpool England and was already an accomplished musician by the time he reached his twenties. He had never worked on ocean liners before he was hired to work for the White Star Line in 1912. His first trip to sea would be as a “temporary” musician on the RMS Titanic.
With the other members of the orchestra, he continued to play as the ship sank after striking an iceberg on her maiden voyage. All eight musicians performed together, first in the forward lounge, then on deck, as the great ship foundered. All lost their lives in the disaster.
One survivor was quoted as saying:
"Many brave things were done that night, but none were more brave than those done by men playing minute after minute as the ship settled quietly lower and lower in the sea. The music they played served alike as their own immortal requiem and their right to be recalled on the scrolls of undying fame."
Clarke’s body was recovered by the cable ship Mackay-Bennett in the days following the sinking. It was one of the 209 victims brought to Halifax for burial. He was wearing a crucifix when found and was assumed to be Catholic. For that reason, he was interred at the Mount Olivet Cemetery with 18 other Titanic victims.
To claim this cache, find Clarke's grave marker. Send a message or email to the cache owner with the names inscribed on the stones on either side of his. You must also post a picture in your log of the commemorative Titanic plaque called "Voyages Remembered". It is your choice whether you wish to include yourself in the image.
Keep in mind that this is a cemetery. Follow all posted signage and treat the property with respect.
Virtual Rewards 3.0 - 2022-2023
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between March 1, 2022 and March 1, 2023. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards 3.0 on the Geocaching Blog.