John Kingham CLARKE

John Kingham CLARKE. 2nd Lieutenant, Connaught Rangers attached to 103rd Squadron Royal Air Force. Born 1894 to Son of the Rev. Edward Clarke and Janie G. Clarke, of The Manse, Strabane, Co. Tyrone. Educated at Campbell College, Belfast. Joined up at the outbreak of the war employed at Messrs. McLoughlin & Harvey of Belfast. Reported missing from bomb raid, presumed killed in action 22 July 1918 aged 24 years. He was the observer in a De Havilland D.H.9, C1213 biplane bomber, flown by 2nd Lieutenant Cyril Thomas Houston. Both are at rest next to each other at Cabaret-Rouge British Cemetery, Souchez, France.

Source for photograph, The men behind the Glass (Campbell College)

Some notes from his army record -
Joined the Royal Irish Rifles 7 October 1914 aged 19 years and 11 months, as Private 16/936. Occupation, apprentice builder with McLaughlin and Harvey. After he had completed his training he embarked from Southampton 2 October 1915 to France. On the 10 October 1916 he was shot and wounded in his right thigh. On the same day he was treated at 109 Field Ambulance then transferred to 8th Causality Clearing Centre, then onto No 3, Canadian Stationary Hospital, Bolougne. 17th October 1916 invalided to England on Hospital Ship, St David. At some date he was discharged fit for war service and sent back to France. On the 22 January 1917 as Corporal he was posted back to the Regimental Depot on a Cadet course and struck off the strength of Royal Irish Rifles. On the 26 June 1917 he was appointed to temporary commission in the Connaught Rangers.

Commemorated on Duncairn Presbyterian Church, Antrim Road, Belfast
This memorial is located in the Somme Heritage Centre, Bangor Road, Newtownards, Northern Ireland.