Arthur Wellesley Clarke
Captain SIR Arthur Wellesley Clarke, C.B.E., D.S.O., R.N. (16 April, 1898 – ) served in the Royal Navy and the Royal Naval Reserve. An image at the National Portrait Gallery seems to be assigned to him, but it seems to be of an older man.
Life & Career
The son of A. W. Clarke, Elder Brother at [illeg] House of Abbey Hill, Lamorbey.
Clarke passed out of the Training Establishment in August 1914 and was appointed to the old battleship Implacable. He served in her until she paid off on 19 April 1916, showing ability and promise. He then served in Royal Oak until 29 January, 1917. Following a course in Torpedo Control, he was appointed to the patrol boat P14 of the Harwich Force on 17 February, 1917.[1]
On 21 March, 1917 his diary records that his P-boat accidentally dropped a depth charge in harbour at Sheerness, which, "had it gone off, would have smashed the Lightfoot alongside us and ourselves to smithereens." He expressed reservations that these little boats with their single gun would have to resort to ramming should German destroyers raid them in the night.[2]
He left P14 with an appointment to Maenad on 28 July, 12917. Clarke was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 15 October, 1918.[3]
Clarke was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-Commander on 15 October, 1926.[4]
Clarke was promoted to the rank of Commander on 31 December, 1932.[5]
Clarke served as executive officer in Royal Oak, vice Allan Peachey, from 18 July 1938 to 6 July, 1939, being promoted to the rank of Captain with seniority of 30 June, 1939.[6]
World War II
One superior noted that Clarke was "inclined to point out the black side" of affairs.
Clarke was placed on the Retired List 10 July 1948. On 15 September, he was appointed Chief of Naval Information.[7]
See Also
Bibliography
| Naval Appointments | ||
| Preceded by Edward H. Longsdon |
Captain of H.M.S. Penzance 1 Mar, 1937[8] – mid May, 1938[Fact Check] |
Succeeded by Allan J. Wavish |
| Preceded by Edward O. Broadley |
Assistant Naval Attaché at Washington, D.C. 20 Jul, 1940[9] – 1 Aug, 1941[10] |
Succeeded by William S. Jameson |
| Preceded by Charles A. A. Larcom |
Captain of H.M.S. Sheffield 1 Aug, 1941[11] – 19 Apr, 1942[12] |
Succeeded by Arthur W. Clarke |
| Preceded by Arthur W. Clarke |
Captain of H.M.S. Sheffield 6 Jul, 1942[13] – 14 Feb, 1943[14] |
Succeeded by Charles T. Addis |
Footnotes
- ↑ Clarke Service Record. The National Archives. 196/120/126. f. 126.
- ↑ Liddle. The Sailor's War: 1914-18. p. 152.
- ↑ Clarke Service Record. The National Archives. 196/93/110. f. 110.
- ↑ Clarke Service Record. The National Archives. 196/120/126. f. 126.
- ↑ Clarke Service Record. The National Archives. 196/93/110. f. 110.
- ↑ Clarke Service Record. The National Archives. 196/93/110. f. 110.
- ↑ Clarke Service Record. The National Archives. 196/120/126. f. 126.
- ↑ The Navy List. (July, 1937). p. 262.
- ↑ Clarke Service Record. The National Archives. 196/120/126. f. 126.
- ↑ Clarke Service Record. The National Archives. 196/120/126. f. 126.
- ↑ Uboat.net page on the ship.
- ↑ Uboat.net page on the ship.
- ↑ Uboat.net page on the ship.
- ↑ Uboat.net page on the ship.
