Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of John Clarke a framework knitter, born 1859 in Ruddington, Notts., and his wife Eliza, born 1858 in Shepshed, Leics. John Edward was born in 1886 in Nottingham, his siblings were, Elizabeth, born 1880, William, born 1882, Mary, born 1884, the latter three siblings were all born in Shepshed, Leics., Emma, born 1888 in Nottingham, in April 1891 the family home was at 77, Ashby Road, Loughborough, Leics. In March 1901 John was employed as a factory errand boy and was residing in the family home at 77, Ashby Road, Loughborough, Leics., together with his father, now a stocking maker, his mother and siblings, Elizabeth, William, Mary and Emma. In April 1911 John was employed as a framework knitter and was residing in the family home at 31, Hastings Street, Loughborough, Leics., together with his father, now a framework knitter, his mother and siblings William and Emma.