Born at Milton-next-Gravesend, Kent. (The baptismal records of St. Peter and St. Paul's Church show him as being baptised there on the 8th of August 1830, the son of Samuel and Mary Ann Clarke.)
Enlisted at Coventry (another source states London) on the 27th of November 1847.
Age: 18 years 6 months.
Height: 5' 6".
Trade: Stone-mason.
Appearance: Fresh complexion. Hazel eyes. Dk. brown hair.
From Private to Corporal: 21st of September, 1854.
The regimental muster rolls state, "Sick on board ship" for the 16th of September 1854 muster roll and he is shown on the Scutari Depot roll as being on it from the 22nd of September 1854, (paid by the regiment until the 21st.) From this he could possibly not have landed, and would have been "left on board, sick." He was "Returned to the Regt." on the 3rd of October 1854, sent back to Scutari (paid by the regiment from the 4th until the 16th) the muster roll for October showing 'Sick, absent" He appears on two Voucher numbers, No. 2, for "Men sent from the Crimea to Scutari" and No. 6, "Men sent from the General Depot at Scutari to Camp Balaclava".
He is next shown as being "In Hospital" on the Scutari Depot roll from the 31st of October and "Sent to England" on the 25th of December. (The Regimental muster roll for January of 1855 shows him as "Being invalided from Scutari to England, but with no date shown.) He actually only went as far as Malta (aboard the "Avon") where he remained until the 4th of January 1855 before leaving aboard the "Cambrio" for Chatham Invalid Depot, arriving on the 16th. Here he remained until being sent to the Depot at Newbridge, Ireland (via Liverpool) on the 6th of February. He next appears on the Newbridge Depot roll as "From Service Troops", from the 12th of February 1855 and remained at the Depot until the regiment returned from the Crimea in June of 1856.
Corporal to Sgt 10th of September 1857.
Re-engaged at Birmingham for a further 12 years service on the 1st of November 1859.
Invalided from India aboard the "Serapia" on the 12th of January 1871.
Discharged from the Royal Victoria Hospital, Netley, on the 14th of March 1871 as:
"Unfit for further service from Hydrocle — injury sustained whilst a rough-rider at Coventry. In July of 1866 he embarked for India and during his service there the disability much troubled him. The disease of the testicle is rapidly subsiding — but this man is old and worn out and totally unfit for further service. Not aggravated by vice or intemperance. Will be able to contribute towards earning his livelihood."
Served 23 years 4 months. In Bulgaria and Turkey, 5 months
In India: 4 years 4 months.
Aged 41 years 5 months on discharge.
Conduct and character: "Has been very good and was when promoted in the possession of one Good Conduct badge and would, had he not been promoted, now been the possession of four Good Conduct badges — and he is in possession of the silver medal for Long Service and Good Conduct as well as the Crimean medal with clasps for Alma, Balaclava and Sebastopol and the Turkish War medal." [sic]
Three times entered in the Regimental Defaulters' book. Never tried by Court-martial.
At the time of his discharge his wife was named as Margaret Clark, and there were two children in the family, aged 6 and 2 years. Of these, Alfred W.T., is shown in the Army Chaplain's Baptismal Register as being born at Dublin in 1864 and Teresa [sic] at Lucknow, India, in 1868. (From this he would appear to have been twice married, on the second occasion, after his discharge. There is no date of his first appearing on the Regimental "Married roll" shown.)
To live at Dartford, Kent.
Awarded a pension of 24d. per day.
Entitled, according to the medal rolls, to the Crimean medal with clasp for Sebastopol, (and possibly, see notes below) that for the Alma and the Turkish medal.
(His entitlement to the clasp for Sebastopol is shown as a later addition to the original roll and out of rank place: "Sent on O.C's certificate, dated the 17th of September 1857.") Some ambiguity exists too, regarding his entitlement to the clasp for the Alma. There are two medal rolls for the 11th Hussars showing the names of men entitled to the clasps for Alma and Inkerman. On one of these (which includes the addition of a "B" (for the Balaclava clasp entitlement) he is shown as only being entitled to the Alma clasp and on the other as neither. He is not shown on the actual Balaclava roll itself. A Corporal W. Clarke of the 11th Hussars appeared before Queen Victoria on the 18th of May 1855 on the Horse Guards Parade and received the Crimean medal from her. He is shown on the Nominal Roll now in the PRO of those present of those present as being entitled to the clasp for the Alma (that for Sebastopol not being authorised at this time) and it must be concluded they are one and the same man. He was presented with his Crimean medal by Queen Victoria at a ceremony on Horse Guards Parade on the 18th of May 1855. His name also is on a similar roll which appeared in the United Services Magazine for June of 1855 and on that which appeared in the Illustrated London News of the 26th of May 1855. (See record of John Thomas Brudenell (the Earl of Cardigan) for antecedents of the artist who painted a picture of the scene and details regarding the picture itself.)
(There is a copy of this in the "Memoirs" file.) The particular roll, the original of which is in the PRO, has been annotated (in ink) at some later date, by the addition of other clasp entitlements for various recipients not shown in a printed form, Clarke having Sebastopol added, but his name was "starred" and the Alma clasp entitlement crossed through, this being the only one amongst the Cavalry section. This claim is therefore doubly suspect, especially in view of the fact that he was at Scutari only two days after the battle of the Alma took place, and something which would not have been possible for him to have been present in time.
Awarded the Long Service & Good Conduct medal, with a gratuity of £10, on the 1st of October 1869.
A "Sgt William Clarke" of the 11th Hussars was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal with an annuity of £10, on the 19th of June 1899 and is shown as having died on the 28th of October 1905. At this time it was noted that he had the "Crimean medal with three clasps" [sic].
1871 Census
Old Dover Road, Gravesend.
The 1871 Census shows him shortly after leaving the Army as a "retired Sergeant, 11th Hussars", aged 41, living at the house of his sister-in-law Elizabeth Paterson. His wife Margaret Clarke and son Alfred and daughter Theresa are also shown. [RM]
1881 Census
6, Albermarle Street, St. George's Square, London.
The 1881 Census shows him as living as Wm. Clarke, a House Steward (Dom), aged 50, born at Gravesend, Kent, with his wife, Margaret, a Housekeeper, 53, born in Dublin, and, three children, Alfred, 16, a clerk, born in Ireland. Theresa, a Scholar, 12, born in the East Indies, and Robert, a Scholar, 7, born at Colne, Wiltshire.
Two Domestic Servants were kept, and also four lodgers: a Stockbroker, an Army Captain, and a Major-General on the Active List, Lindsay Torrington, and his valet.
1891 Census
Drayton Villa, Teddington.
The 1891 Census shows him as "George William Clarke", [age?], a "Warder Hampton Court Palace", with his wife Christiana and a son, Herbert Frederick Clark, a Publisher's Apprentice, 17, born Colne, Wiltshire.
[CBJ: Was the son named Robert? (see 1881 Census record above), or Herbert, as in the 1891 Census? Christiana is presumably his second wife.]
1901 Census
Address?
By 1901 he appears on the Census as George W. Clarke, born Swanscombe, Kent. Still married to Christiana, he is shown as an "Attendant, Hampton Court Palace".
Died at Teddington, Middlesex, in October 1906 (according to the family), the 21st Lancers, then stationed at Hounslow, providing a funeral party.
The GRO records show him as George William Clarke and as dying in the Kingston District during the October-December quarter of 1905, aged 76 years.
The records of Teddington Cemetery show that he was buried in Section A Class B (Uncon.) Grave No. 313, on the 2nd of November. The inscription on the erected grave-stone reads: On the cross, "R.I.P." and on the base plinths, "In loving memory of our father G. W. Clarke. Died October 28th 1905, aged 76 years." (See photograph of the stone in the 11th Hussar file.)
His will, made on the 6th of April 1900, was certified Probate on the 18th of December 1905, following two Codicils relating to changes of executors (due to death, one being on the 18th of December 1901 and the second on the 7th of September 1905, this making his wife and daughter as his executors) to a value of £530. His address was given as Drayton-House [sic] Victoria Road, Teddington, and his full name as George William Clarke. In it he bequeathed:
"To my son, Alfred William Clarke, my gold hunting watch, with chain and appendages, to my daughter, Theresa Lavinia, my small gold watch, (with ditto) and to my son Herbert Frederick, my silver watch and silver chain. I give and bequeath unto my three children named such of any articles of jewellery or pictures as they may choose. As to all other real and personal estate which I may possess, including the dwelling house in which I reside, with the wall surrounding it, and I direct that my executors will, as soon as convenient after my decease, sell and dispose of the same and divide as part of the proceeds, to my son Alfred William, one hundred pounds and to my son Henry Frederick one hundred pounds. The residue is to be equally divided between my wife, Christiana Clarke and my daughter Theresa Lavinia Clarke for their sole use and benefit."
Extracts from the Surrey Comet for the 1st and the 4th of November 1905;
"Death of a Balaclava Hero. General regret will be felt at the death of Mr. G. Clarke of Drayton-Villas, Victoria Road, Teddington, which occurred on Saturday evening after a long illness, from cancer. The deceased, who was 76 years of age, was a warder at Hampton Court Palace for 22 years and had only retired as recently as July last. Mr. Clarke was formerly a sergeant in the 11th Hussars and was present at Balaclava but did not take part in the actual charge of the Light Brigade. He was out on a foraging expedition at the time the order was given to make the memorable charge, but he returned in time to render valuable assistance bringing in and giving aid to the wounded.
He had three medals, the Crimean (with three clasps — sic) the Turkish, and one for meritorious service and good conduct. He leaves a widow and family. The funeral will take place tomorrow (Thursday) at 2 p.m. A son of the deceased was in the 17th Lancers and went through the Boer War, where he lost an arm. [RM: See notes below]"
"Warring Warders Buried. Several thousand people arrived at Teddington Cemetery on Thursday afternoon for the funerals of two heroes who had fought for their country and deserved well of their fellows. We refer to the late Mr. William Blount and Mr. George [sic] Clarke. Both served as warders at the Hampton Court Palace and both died on the same day. Mr. Blount was formerly of the Royal Marines, and received the China medal. Mr. Clark was an ex-sergeant of the 11th Hussars and had three medals, the Crimean with three clasps, the Turkish, and one for meritorious service and good conduct..." [Then follows the write-up on the funeral procession and burial of Mr. Blount.]
"...By permission of Lt. General Sir Arthur Lyttleton Annesley, Colonel of the 11th Hussars, arrangements were made by the commanding officer of that regiment, now at the Curragh, and the 21st Lancers stationed at Hounslow for according military honours for Mr. Clarke. The full band attended, together with a number of sergeants (who acted as bearers) a guard of honour of four files, each man carrying lance and pennon, and a trumpeter and eight files formed the firing party. The coffin was conveyed on a gun-carriage, the polished oak coffin being covered with the Union Jack and upon which lay a number of beautiful wreaths.
The whole spectacle was most imposing and impressive, and as a military funeral at Teddington is of rare occurrence, the route from the deceased's residence was lined with people as the mournful procession wound its way to the cemetery. An enormous crowd had assembled outside the gate, but only a small number were admitted. The principal mourners occupying four carriages were Mrs. Clarke, (widow) Miss Clarke, Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Clarke. Mr. John Clarke, (brother of the deceased) and family friends. Three old non-commissioned comrades of the deceased, Mr. Penn, Mr. Colclough and Mr. R. Molloy stood around the grave as did a number of warders from the Palace.
The deceased belonged to the Roman Catholic community and the service was conducted by the Revd. Father Hazell of the Church of the Sacred Heart, South Teddington. At the close, three volleys were fired over the grave, the "Last Post" being sounded between each volley."
According to the information give to Lummis and Wynn by a grandson, Major Ian Clarke, of Ingestre, Staffs., William Clarke claimed to have ridden in the Charge. However, he was not a member of the Balaclava Commemoration Society in eeither 1877 or 1879 and is not known to have ever attended any of the dinners or other functions, with known survivors. His leaving the Crimea proper before the battle of Balaclava disposes of any claim that he could have ridden. He is also said to have served on the Permanent Staff of the Wiltshire Yeomanry, being stationed at Calne, although there is no indication of this on his documents.
EJB: A man is said to have served in the 17th Lancers as No. 3745 H.F. Clarke from 1892 until being invalided out of the Army from wounds received at Vlakfontein during the South African War of 1900-02. He received the Queen's South Africa medal with clasps for Diamond Hill, Wittenbergen, Cape Colony and that for 1901. He is said to have been commissioned during World War One becoming a Captain.
A Herbert Francis Clarke was gazetted as a 2nd Lieut. in the 3rd Bn. of the London Regiment (Territorials) on the 4th of May 1914, Lieut. 3rd of November 1914, Temp. Captain, 1st of June 1916 and was gazetted as being awarded the M.C., on the 14th of November 1916. "For conspicuous gallantry in action. He drove back an enemy action with great gallantry and taking several prisoners. Later one of his machine gun teams all becoming casualties he continued to fire the gun..." (It has not yet been possible to confirm these were one and the same man, but from the now known full Christian names of his son Henry Frederick and the comment in his father's funeral report that he had lost an arm during the Boer War. Such a person was not shown as a member of the family at the Census Returns of 1881.)