He was a relative of James Duckett who had been executed at Tyburn on 19 April 1601 for printing Catholic books.

[3] After Paris it came time to embark on the English mission, but on his way he spent two months in retreat under the direction of his uncle, John Duckett, prior of the Charterhouse at Nieupoort.

It was in the time of the Civil War and he was arrested by Roundhead soldiers only a few months later, on 2 July 1644, at Redgate Head, Wolsingham, County Durham, while on his way to baptize two children.

Corby was offered a reprieve, but deferred in favour of the younger Duckett, who refused to walk away and leave his friend.

Mother Mary Clare, of St Anne’s Convent of Mercy, Wolsingham, marking the spot where Duckett was arrested..