Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Harry Clarke a coal miner, born 1869 in Measham, Leics., and his wife Margaret Ada, born 1872 in Newton Burgoland, Leics. John Henry was born in 1893 in Donisthorpe, Leics., his siblings were, Mary J., born 1892, Alice, born 1897 and Selina, born 1898, all his siblings were born in Moira, Leics., in March 1901 the family home was at near Barrett Mill, Moira, Leics. In April 1911 John was employed as a coal miner and was residing in the family home at Donisthorpe Lane, Moira, Leics., together with his parents and siblings, Selina, Harold, born 1903, Mabel, born 1905 and Harry, born 1910, the latter three siblings were all born in Moira, Leics.