Rebecca Clarke - writer, speaker, researcher
SPEAKER
Having spent much of my teaching career teaching drama, I am someone who is comfortable speaking to large groups of people. I have experience in public speaking and performance. Happy to travel to speaking engagements, I also come equipped with a screen, projector, amplifier and microphone.
HMS INDIA
My talk on HMS India is a condensed version of my book and website and lasts for 45-60 minutes allowing time for questions. The talk will be complimented by a Powerpoint presentation featuring photographs, maps and other relevant information. I will also bring archival material that can be perused by the audience at their leisure at the conclusion of the presentation. With the permission of the organizers, I will also bring copies of my book for attendees to purchase, if they are interested.
The talk will cover
-
HMS India – brief history, information on the 10th Cruiser Squadron
-
The torpedo attack with accounts given by crew from both HMS India and the U-boat.
-
The reactions to the attack from the war office, foreign office, papers and loved ones
-
Life in internment with excerpts from RA Clarke’s letters as well as reflections from other internees.
​
I gave a talk to a receptive and appreciative audience at Martha Point, Australia. Audience members commented on the detail of the story and presentation and enjoyed the many slides. Photographs from the day featured below.
​
My most recent talk was at the Medway Archives Centre where I was thrilled to have in the audience the grandson of one of the men who lost their lives when HMS India was torpedoed. The feedback from this talk was very positive with comments like "Great speaker, could hear every word", " Brilliant speaker, brilliant lecture", "Really engaging speaker, brilliantly researched, so glad I came to this talk." and "Best talk you've ever had" being left on the feedback forms.
Describe your image
PHILANDERING PEARCES
My talk on maverick shipbuilder and serial philanderer Sir William Pearce,Bart, Lady Dinah Pearce and Sir William George Pearce 2nd Bart will interest anyone interested in Victorian history. The talk lasts for 45-60 minutes allowing for questions and will be accompanied by a powerpoint slide show featuring photographs, newspaper articles and letters.
The talk will cover
-
The life and times of Sir William Pearce, his wife and son
-
The mystery of the illegitimate sons
-
How to hide affairs in Victorian times and what happens if you can’t
-
How to hide your husband’s discretions and have him remembered as an honourable man.
I can also alter the talk to introduce more information on the shipping industry in Glasgow from 1860-1900 when it was producing the fastest ships in the world.
​
I recently gave a talk about the Pearces and their women to the active and popular Thorley U3A group. The talk was warmly received with one attendee commenting that "We are still buzzing with your talk. Thank you for coming and entertaining us with the story of Sir William Pearce. A fascinating man."
A sketch of Sir William Pearce, Bart from the Scottish publication The Bailie, copies of which are found The Mitchell Library, Glasgow.