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

As a Sub-Lieutenant, Clarke served in the patrol boat P14 of the Harwich Force. On 21 March, 1917 his diary records that his 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.

Clarke was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 15 October, 1918.

Clarke was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-Commander on 15 October, 1926.

Clarke was promoted to the rank of Commander on 31 December, 1932.

Clarke served as executive officer in Royal Oak, vice Peachey, from 18 July 1938 to 6 July, 1939, being promoted to the rank of Captain with seniority of 30 June, 1939.

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.

See Also

• Service Records
• Wikipedia
• Materials in the Liddle Collection

Bibliography

Naval Appointments
Preceded by Edward H. Longsdon	Captain of H.M.S. Penzance 1 Mar, 1937 – 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 – 1 Aug, 1941	Succeeded by William S. Jameson
Preceded by Charles A. A. Larcom	Captain of H.M.S. Sheffield 1 Aug, 1941 – 19 Apr, 1942	Succeeded by Arthur W. Clarke
Preceded by Arthur W. Clarke	Captain of H.M.S. Sheffield 6 Jul, 1942 – 14 Feb, 1943	Succeeded by Charles T. Addis