Richard
Clarke was the son of William Clarke of Timoney Lodge, Corbally, and Rebecca
Harvey. He was also the brother of Rebecca Clarke, who married William Nicholas
Biddulph in 1889.
Richard Clarke joined the Royal Irish Constabulary in 1896. His
service record from the Royal Irish Constabulary shows a broken service as he
appears to have resigned twice in order to join Military Units. He first
resigned in January 1900 and served with the
"Imperial Yeomanry" in South Africa, before being
reappointed to the RIC in October 1901. He did not remain long however, but
resigned in March 1902 to join the ‘Irish Horse.’ He was, it would seem,
a restless soul.
He was
killed in action in 1916.
Clarke, Richard.
Rank, sergeant, Royal
Canadian Horse Artillery [formerly Royal Irish Constabulary]; killed in action,
October 20, 1916. [Ireland,
Casualties of World War 1].
He is buried in Carnoy
Military Cemetery.
In Memory of Gunner R.
Clarke 5635,”A” Bty., Royal Canadian Horse Artillery who died on 20 October
1916.
Remembered with
Honour.
His death is also commemorated in Ardcroney graveyard in
Congor, County Tipperary. Ardcroney
Church is no longer there having been
removed in its entirety to Bunratty Folk Park, County Clare,
but the graveyard remains.
Congor graveyard [Ardcroney Church]
In loving memory of
William Clarke, Crowl, who died 20th Jan 1919, aged 89 years.
Also his wife Rebecca
who died 23rd Jan 1925 aged 88 yrs.
And their son Richard
who fell in France,
20th October 1916.
