Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of George Clarke a framework knitter, born 1832 in Mountsorrel, Leics., and his wife Mary Ann a framework knitter, born 1837 in Sileby, Leics. William was born in 1879 in Sileby, Leics., his siblings were, Alfred, born 1864, Isabella, born 1870, Lois, born 1872, Maria, born 1873, Georgina, born 1875 and George C., born 1876, all his siblings were born in Sileby, Leics., in April 1881 the family home was at King Street, Sileby, Leics. In April 1891 William was residing in the family home at King Street, Sileby, Leics., together with his parents and siblings, Isabella, Lois, Maria, Georgina and George. In March 1901 William was employed as a shoe trade finisher and was residing in the family home at King Street, Sileby, Leics., together with his father, now a labourer, his mother and sister Georgina. In April 1911 William was employed as an insurance agent and was residing in the family home at Swan Street, Sileby, Leics., together with his wife of two years, Clara, born 1889 in Leicestershire, also residing with the family was his widowed mother.