CLARKE
Ray Clarke was born at Bunbury, W.A. on 18 July 1889, the sixth born in a family of ten children. His father, Ephraim Mayo Clarke, was a Farmer and Merchant who became the first elected Mayor of Bunbury and subsequently served on the Legislative Council in the W.A. parliament for 21 years.
Ray attended Bunbury Primary School and then Hale School in Perth. On leaving school he worked on his father's orchard and potato growing property in Roelands. From 1910 he spent three years in the Kimberley district working on Liveringa Station on the Fitzroy River. Ray returned to the Roelands property and joined the local Rifle Club, where he proved to be a very accurate and keen shooter.
Ray and his close friend Tom Rose (from Burekup) were travelling to the Annual Rifle Prize Shoot in Kalgoorlie in 1914 when they were informed that War had been declared and the shoot had been cancelled. Both men immediately volunteered and enlisted, being assigned to the 11th Battalion and joined by Ray's youngest brother Mervyn Ephraim (known as Dick). The three soldiers completed their training together at Blackboy Hill camp and embarked from Fremantle on the Ascanius on 2 November 1914.
Following further training in Egypt, including an elimination shoot across the entire First Division of the AIF to identify elite sharpshooters — Tom Rose won the contest and Ray Clarke was runner-up. Both men served as snipers on Gallipoli. Ray is credited with killing many Turkish snipers, and his only spell from front line duty came when he was appointed as personal security guard to Allied Commander Sir Ian Hamilton for one week. He was promoted to Corporal on 15 August 1915 and Sergeant on 7 December 1915, and was one of the few original 11th Battalion men at Gallipoli not evacuated due to sickness, wounds, or killed in action.
Promoted to Second Lieutenant on 12 March 1916 and appointed Bombing Officer for D Company, Ray was party to one of the first raids the AIF made in France near Armentieres. He was then part of the First Division AIF at the Battle of the Somme at Pozieres, where the 11th Battalion lost over 700 men — Ray was the only officer in D Company able to walk out unaided. After Mouquet Farm he was recommended for the Military Cross. Promoted to Lieutenant on 15 June 1916 and appointed Bombing Officer for the Third Brigade in 1917, he was subsequently appointed Chief Bombing Instructor for the entire First Division AIF. He had been mentioned in a despatch by Sir Douglas Haig on 9 June 1917.
In a very ironic twist of fate, Ray was severely wounded whilst judging a bomb throwing contest. A bomb that had failed to explode detonated during investigation, killing 2 of his assistants. After being near death for one week and a lengthy convalescence in London General Hospital, Ray was repatriated to Australia in early January 1918.
On 22 September 1918, Ray married Marjory Cecil Clifton and they had 9 children (7 boys, 2 girls). He won the King's Prize in W.A. in 1923 and served as Captain of the W.A. State Rifle Team. On the outbreak of the Second World War, Ray was called on as musketry instructor at Northam, and in October 1941 was appointed Captain and Officer In Command of the Garrison at Port Hedland, where he was joined by his original 11th Battalion mate Stan Parker. He was discharged from the Army on 17 May 1943.
Ray endured the heartbreak of losing two sons in the RAF during raids over Germany: John Yorke Clarke — killed on 28 August 1943, and Robert Mayo Clarke — killed on 8 January 1945. In a further touch of irony, Ray collapsed and died on the Busselton Rifle Range in 1959, aged 70 years, shortly after scoring a possible from the 500 yards mound.
Dispatches and Recommendations
Date of recommendation - 30th July 1916
For valuable services rendered during the operations of the 22/25 July 1916 which culminated in the capture of Pozieres.Date of recommendation - 4th February 1917
For consistent gallantry and good work. Lieut. Clarke served continuously with his battalion from Aug 1914, to September 1916, from which date he became Brigade Bombing Officer. From March 1916, he was the Battalion Bombing Officer and carried out his duties in a cool manner, and with considerable tactical ability. During a raid by the 11th Battalion on the Tadpole (Petillon Sector) on the 30th June 1916, Lieut Clarke was second of the party in entering the trench. During the operations culminating in the capture of Pozieres (21/26 July 1916) his handling of the bombing teams left nothing to be desired. His devotion to duty and gallantry at all times have been an inspiration to all ranks.Date of recommendation - 7th March 1917
Lieut Clarke is the Brigade Bombing Officer. He is a young man of a particularly cheerful disposition, has a wonderfully inspiring way among his men, and is most energetic. For sterling worth and devotion to duty he stands alone. His high qualities were greatly tested and proved during the advance on Le Barque and Thilloy from 25th to 27th February 1917.Date of Recommendation - 25th September 1917
From February to June last Lieutenant Clarke carried out the duties of Brigade Dump Officer with unusual efficiency. At Le Barque in February, at Boursies in April and Bullecourt in April and May 1917 he invariably kept the front line supplied with ammunition and material in spite of shelling and adverse weather conditions. His personal courage, his untiring energy and zeal have been admired by all.
A special thank you to Danny Clarke for contributing content of this Biography.
