Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Joseph Clarke, a bricklayer’s labourer, born 1867 in Foleshill, Warwickshire and his wife Isabella Clarke, born 1864 in Knossington, Leicestershire. William Harry was born in the 1st quarter of 1890 in Ashby Folville, Leicestershire he had one sibling, Joseph, born 1888 in Pickwell, Leicestershire, in April 1891 the family were residing in Dalby Magna, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire this being the family home of William’s paternal Uncle, James Clarke a Police Sergeant, born 1844 in Smockington, Warwickshire and his wife Elizabeth Clarke, born 1843 in Finedon, Northamptonshire and their children, Mary Susannah, a schoolgirl, born 1876 in Great Easton, Leicestershire and Jim James C. W., a schoolboy, born 1882 in Foleshill, Warwickshire. In March 1901 William was residing in the family home at Thorpe Satchville, Leicestershire together with his father, a bricklayer, his mother and siblings, Joseph, Charles Harold, born 16th May 1892 in Ashby Folville, James Walter, born 1896 and Maud Bertha, born 14th June 1899, the latter two siblings were both born in Thorpe Satchville. In April 1911 William was absent from the family home in Thorpe Satchville, residing there was his father, a casual bricklayer, his mother and siblings, Charles, an apprentice, Walter, a schoolboy, Maud, a schoolgirl and Doris Violet, a schoolgirl, born 10th November 1901 in Thorpe Satchville, William was employed as a groom and was residing as a boarder at Hanging Houghton, Northamptonshire.
William attested into the Army on a Short Service engagement (Three years with the Colours.) on the 22nd August 1914 in Market Harborough. He gave his place of birth as Ashby Folville, Leicestershire his age as 24 years and 8 months, his trade or calling as groom and he confirmed that he was unmarried. He gave his brother, Charles Harold Clarke of Tugby, Leicestershire, his brother James Walter Clarke of the 10th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment and his mother, Isabella Clarke of New Street, Asfordby, Melton Mowbray as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 4 inches in height, weighed 140 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 34 and 36 inches. His complexion was described as fresh, he had grey eyes and brown hair. He gave his religion as Church of England. He was pronounced fit for the Army on the 22nd August 1914 in Market Harborough. His record of service began when he joined the Depot of the Leicestershire Regiment as a Private, service number 10323 on the 25/8/14. Posted to join the 6th (Service) Battalion Leicestershire Regiment in Aldershot on the 29/8/14. Embarked to join the British Expeditionary Force in France on the 29/7/15. Admitted to the 48th Field Ambulance, in the field suffering from scabies on the 28/3/16. Rejoined the 6th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, in the field on the 8/4/16. Granted proficiency pay Class I on the 22/8/16. Granted leave on the 24/11/16. Granted leave from the 2/1/18 to the 17/1/18. Killed in action, in the field on the 8/10/18. A summary of his service records: Home Service, 22/8/14 – 28/7/15, 341 days. British Expeditionary Force, France, 29/7/15 – 8/10/18, 3 years 72 days. Total service, 4 years 48 days. He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War and Victory medals. The following information was provided by William’s mother Isabella Clarke on the 19th November 1919, and was witnessed and signed by G. Bishop, Minister, New Street, Asfordby, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire on ARMY FORM W. 5080 (Information on deceased soldier’s family) Mother of soldier, Isabella Clarke of New Street, Asfordby. Full blood brothers of soldier, Charles Harold of Melton Mowbray. James Walter of Melton Mowbray. Full blood sisters of soldier, Bertha Maud of Melton Mowbray. Doris Violet of Melton Mowbray. William’s surviving service documents are in poor condition, and much of the finer detail relating to the period of time that he spent in the Army, is either illegible or missing, hence the sparse overall description of his military and personal family history.
The War Diary records: 8 Oct-18 - MONTCOUVEZ. 05.15. Battalion attacked BEAUVOIS LINE. Captured all objectives including 430 prisoners and 4 field guns. All Companies in front line. Battalion Headquarters in BEAUVOIS front line.
On Friday November 8th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL AND DISTRICT NEWS.” – ASFORDBY. – KILLED IN ACTION. – We regret to report the death of another Asfordby man, killed in action, his widowed mother being advised that Pte. Harry Clarke, of the Transport Section, Leicestershire Regt., was killed by shell. Pte. Clarke who is the eldest son of Mrs. Clarke, New-street, was 29 years of age, and enlisted on the 1st November, 1914. Previously he was second horseman to Lady Fredericks of Lamport Grange, Northants. Pte. Clarke was last home on leave on the 3rd January, 1918.