Clarence was born in the Buckinghamshire village of Chalvey, which is now a suburb of Slough. His birth was registered during the first 3 months of 1887. He was the second child of John Robert Bampton (b1864) and his wife Jane Maria nee Gregory (b1861). Clarence had an elder sister Mary Jane Bampton (b1885) and two younger brothers Fred Gregory Bampton (b1891) and Corrie Bampton (b1900).

The 1891 census shows John Bampton (aged 27, a hammerman in an iron works) living at 1 York Place, Chalvey with Jane (29) with their children Mary (6), Clarence (4) and an unnamed son (1 month). In 1901 the family were living at 5 York Place, Chalvey and consisted of John (aged 37), Jane (39), Mary (16), Clarence (14), Fred (10) and Corrie (8 months). The 1911 census lists Jane (49), Clarence (a carter in a gravel pit), Fred (20, a naval servant) and Corrie (10) at 5 York Cottages, Church St, Chalvey.

Britain declared war on Germany on 4 August 1914 in response to the German invasion of Belgium. Clarence’s Army record shows that he joined the Army Territorial Force on 23^rd November 1914 as a volunteer, signing up for 4 years service in the United Kingdom. The principal role of the Territorial Force was home defence and its soldiers were not obliged to serve overseas until conscription was introduced in 1916. Clarence gave his address as 5 York Place, Chalvey and next of kin as his father John Robert Bampton. His previous occupation was labourer. He was assigned to the Oxfordshire and Bucks Light Infantry as a Private and given Regimental Number 3036. Clarence performed all his service with them in the UK. He was awarded a 14 day Field Punishment number 2 on 6 May 1916 for (1) speaking out at billet at 10pm (2) being inappropriately dressed (3) insolence to a NCO. Field Punishment in the British Army could be awarded only to soliders on active service during war. It was common during World War 1 but abolished in 1923. Field Punishment Number 2 consisted of the convicted man being placed in leg irons and hand cuffs for up to two hours per day. This was applied for up to three days out of four over up to 21 days total. The soldier was also subject to hard labour and loss of pay.

On 29 July 1916 Clarence was discharged from the army as being no longer physically fit for War Service. A medical report on him says that his disability was myalgia (muscle pain), which originated in his childhood. He complained of pain on movement of his shoulders and “some roughness of joints”. He also had loss of vision in his left eye and poor physique.

Clarence enlisted in the Army Service Corps on 1 October 1916 and was assigned Regimental Number 334205. He was called up for service on 1 June 1917. The ASC operated the transport needed to supply the army with food, equipment and ammunition. Clarence was demobilised on 1 April 1919 at Woolwich Dockyard. The discharge paper states his military character to be very good. Clarence was awarded the British and Victory campaign medals (like all British soldiers who served in WW1). He claimed a war pension because of his disability but the records don’t say whether it was granted.

In 1922, Clarence married Elsie Winifred Martin in the Eton registration district (which includes Chalvey and Slough). He was 35 and she 23. They had 10 children – nine boys and one girl. 

Clarence died in 1943 aged 56 in the Eton registration district. His wife Elsie died in 1981 aged 82 in Slough.