Fallen Officers. Wm A. Clarke
SUB-LIEUTENANT WILLIAM ANDREW St. AUBYN CLARKE, R.N.D., killed on December 30, 1917 was the elder son of Captain Robert Clarke (staff) and Mrs. Clarke, late of Thurcroft Hall, Yorkshire, the Grandson of the late Major St. Aubyn, 24th Regiment, and of the late Mrs. St. Aubyn, of College Road, Exeter.
He was educated at Mon Pelier School, Paignton, and Malvern College, and joined the Public School Battalion of the Royal Naval Division at the end of May, 1915, obtaining a commission in the R.N.V.R. as sub-lieutenant in the following November. His commanding officer said:
"I cannot tell you how it grieves me to inform you of the death of your son beside his guns, fighting the enemy to the last. Your son has served under me for a considerable time, and I always admired him for his strength of will and capabilities. A naturally shy, reserved officer he was popular with us all, and we shall all miss him terribly. I believe he died in a very gallant manner, but I have not yet received full particulars".