Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of William Clarke a baker, born 1854 in Market Deeping, Lincs., and his wife Mary Ann, born 1860 in Fletton, Hunts. William James was born in 1881 in Belton, Rutland, his siblings were, Alice Clan, born 1883 and George, born 1886, both his siblings were born in Belton, Rutland, in April 1891 the family home was at Oakham Road, Belton, Rutland. In March 1901 William was employed as a carpenter’s apprentice and was residing at Bentley Yard, Medbourne, Leics., this being the family home of his Uncle, George Clarke a carpenter, born 1869 in Glinton, Northants., and his wife Caroline, born 1872 in Horninghold, Leics., and their daughter Ethel A., born 1895 in Horninghold, Leics. In April 1911 William was employed as a joiner and was residing in the family home at Tugby, Leics., together with his wife of one year, Kate Annie, born 1886 in Belton Rutland, and their son William George, born 1911 in Tugby, Leics. Prior to enlistment he was a carpenter. He joined the 8th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, and was then transferred to the 1st/4th Battalion before embarking for France on the 13th January 1917. He was killed by a sniper. The War Diary for today records. One platoon of A Coy (2nd Lt WHITCHER) one platoon of B Coy (2nd Lt J. B. LAMBRI) made flank attack on NARVAL TRENCH, which they captured but were forced to retire owing to their being largely outnumbered and meeting a German counter attack on the 14th Battn DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY on our left. 2nd Lt C. E. WHITCHER killed and 2nd Lt J. B.LAMBRI missing believed killed and 60 other ranks. 2nd Lt’s C. D. BROWN and N. GEMILL (A Coy) both commenced going up to reinforce Lt B. T. C. GILBERT on staff 138th Infantry Brigade killed whilst making a reconnaissance for the Brigade. All the officers, NCO’s and men of these Coys displayed magnificent courage all through the operations.