Colonel William Senhouse CLARKE
Commanded the 1st Battalion Worcestershire Regiment from 1895 to 1899.
The son of Sir Robert Bowcher Clarke, K.C.B., Chief Justice, Colonel Clarke was born at Barbados on 20th May 1848. He was gazetted Ensign, 29th Regiment on 8th January, 1868. A record of his services follows: |
Colonel W. S. Clarke |
WAR SERVICE.—Served in the Ashantee War, 1873-74, on special service, and was in charge of the Military Post of Sutah. Medal.
Returned to serve again during the Great War, 1916-18, as Commandant No. 7 Quartering Area, Eastern Command.
FOREIGN SERVICE.—Canada, West Indies, West Coast of Africa, India, Burma, and Aden.
Colonel Clarke was married in 1897 to Fanny Matilda Vance, who was herself connected with the 29th Foot through her ancestor, Ensign Richard Vance, who saved the colours of 29th Foot at the battle of Albuhera in 1811. The eldest son died in infancy at Bombay in 1881. The second son, Bowcher Campbell Senhouse Clarke, joined the Worcestershire Regiment in 1899, and commanded the 2nd Battalion, 1929 to 1933.
Colonel William Senhouse Clarke died at Camberley on 12th January 1937, in his 89th year and was laid to rest at Frimley, on 15th January 1937. The Bearers and Buglers were of his old regiment, the 1st Battalion The Worcestershire Regiment, and a large number of past and serving Officers of the Regiment were present.
At the time of his death he was the oldest surviving officer of the regiment, the last of the Purchase Commissions, and one of the last of the old 29th Regiment.
He was a keen soldier and sportsman, being a fine shot with the gun, rifle and revolver.
He was a man much endeared and respected by all who knew him. Those who served under him will remember him as fair and just in all his dealings, ever ready with sound advice or a kindly word.