Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Thomas Clarke an agricultural labourer, born 1841 in Thurcaston, Leics., and his wife Mary A., born 1843 in Gilmorton, Leics. James William was born in 1884 in Thurcaston, Leics., he had one sibling, a brother George A., born 1878 in Thurcaston, Leics., in April 1891 the family home was at Short Street, Thurcaston, Leics. In March 1901 James was employed as a shoe trade riveter and was residing in the family home at Top Lane, Thurcaston, Leics., together with his parents. In April 1911 James was employed as a riveter and was residing in the family home at Bradgate Road, Anstey, Leics., together with his wife of four years, Ellen, born 1887 in Hallaton, Leics., and their children, Gladys, born 1909 and Thomas Arthur, born 1910, both children were born in Anstey, Leics.