Clarke, James
Rifleman
No. 19/494, 14th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles
Killed in action on 16 August 1917 (aged 33)
No known grave
Commemorated:
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium (Panel 138 to 140 and 162 to 162A and 163A)
Ballygowan Presbyterian Church
BIOGRAPHY
The name James Clarke is listed on the Memorial Plaque in Ballygowan Presbyterian Church and in the Presbyterian Church in Ireland (PCI) Roll of Honour 1914 – 1919 he is described as a Private in the 19th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles.
James Clarke was born on 30 July 1884 in Knockbracken and he was a son of James and Sarah Clarke (nee Cairnduff, sometimes Carnduff) who were married around 1881/1882.
Sarah Cairnduff had a son before she and James Clarke were married:
William Cairnduff (born 2 December 1881 in Knockbracken; subsequently he used the surname Clarke)
James Clarke Senior worked as a labourer and he and Sarah had six children:
Robert (born 30 March 1883 in Knockbracken)
James (born 30 July 1884 in Knockbracken)
Samuel (born 18 July 1888 in Killinure)
John (born 31 July 1890 in Crossnacreevy)
Margaret (Maggie, born 29 May 1894 in Slatady)
Catherine (born 12 December 1898 in Granshaw)
James Clarke Junior worked as a labourer before he enlisted.
James Clarke and Maggie Meharry were married on 26 July 1916 in Belfast Registrar’s Office. James Clarke (aged 32), a Private in the 19th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles was a son of James Clarke, a labourer. Maggie Meharry (aged 21) from 49 Dunvegan Street, Belfast was a daughter of James Meharry, a labourer.
On 16 August 1917, Rifleman James Clarke (No. 19/494) was posted as missing in action and later it was officially confirmed that he must be presumed to have died on or since that date.
In the Army Register of Soldiers’ Effects his widow Margaret was recorded as his sole legatee.
Rifleman James Clarke (No. 19/494) has no known grave and he is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial in Belgium and in Ballygowan Presbyterian Church.