John Clarke
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Lt. Col., 25th Bengal Native Infantry
The Times, Feb 26, 1895; pg. 11; Issue 34510; col B
OBITUARY.
The death is announced, at Sydenham-hill on the 23rd inst., of MAJOR-GENERAL JOHN CLARKE, of the retired list of
the Bengal Native Infantry. He was a. son of the late Ralph Clarke, R.N., and entered the Army in 1828. The first service
which he saw was in 1839-40, when being then interpreter to his regjment (25th Native Infantry), he was present with
Hr. Simon Fraser, C.S., Governor-General's Agent at Bundlecund, when they were attacked at the fortress of Jhansi and
narrowly-"escaped with their lives. In May, 1841, he was appointed commandant of the Behar station Guards and Assistant
Superintendent-General, Thuggee Department. In August, 1848, he became officiating second in. command of the 2nd
Infantry Regiment, Gwalior Contingent, but in the autumn he rejoined his own regiment; at Ferozepore. In the campaign
which followed, he was present at Ramnuggur, Sadoollahpore, Chillianwalla., and Goojerat, in which last battle he was major
of brigade to the 5th Brigade 3rd Division, received the personal commendation of BrigadierGeneral Colin Campbell (Lord
Clyde), and was mentioned in his dispatch to the Adjutant-General of the Army (brevet of major, medal and two clasps).
On the annexation of the Punjab in 1849, he was appointed Deputy-Commissioner under the Board of Administration, and
served at Goojerat, Jhung, Shekhopoora., and Goojeranwalla and while in charge of the last-named district he wrote a
report on its agriculture, which was specially commended by the Financial Commissioner, the late Sir George Edmondstone.
In 1856 ho was nominated to officiate temporarily as Commissioner of the Lahore Division. In this capacity he prepared
the " Punjab Police Darogah’s Manual,” which was officially approved and adopted.
When the Mutiny broke out he was placed in charge of his old district of Goojeranwalla, and in April, 1858, he was
specially selected as one of the officers for the new Government of Oude, where he was appointed a Commissioner. Under
the direction of the Chief Commissioner he was employed in endeavoring to gain the confidence of influential landholders
and others in the western boundaries of the province, so as to procure such information as might be useful to the military
authorities generally, and latterly, more especially to Sir Thomas Seaton, the brigadier-general commanding at
Shahjehanpore, and on October 8 Major General Clarke accompanied him as civil and political officer, when he surprised
and routed a. rebel force at :Bunkagong. He was present in the actions of Pasgaon and Russoolpore, receiving the medal
for service. From 1859 till 1862 be served as Commissioner of the Khyrabad Division, Oude, retiring from the service in
the latter year. Ho married Frances Rice, daughter of the Rev. Charles Brown, rector of Whitstone, Devon.
John Clarke died 23 February 1895 and is buried in the family vault at St. Nicholas Church Tooting, London.
OBITUARY.
The death is announced, at Sydenham-hill on the 23rd inst., of MAJOR-GENERAL JOHN CLARKE, of the retired list of
the Bengal Native Infantry. He was a. son of the late Ralph Clarke, R.N., and entered the Army in 1828. The first service
which he saw was in 1839-40, when being then interpreter to his regjment (25th Native Infantry), he was present with
Hr. Simon Fraser, C.S., Governor-General's Agent at Bundlecund, when they were attacked at the fortress of Jhansi and
narrowly-"escaped with their lives. In May, 1841, he was appointed commandant of the Behar station Guards and Assistant
Superintendent-General, Thuggee Department. In August, 1848, he became officiating second in. command of the 2nd
Infantry Regiment, Gwalior Contingent, but in the autumn he rejoined his own regiment; at Ferozepore. In the campaign
which followed, he was present at Ramnuggur, Sadoollahpore, Chillianwalla., and Goojerat, in which last battle he was major
of brigade to the 5th Brigade 3rd Division, received the personal commendation of BrigadierGeneral Colin Campbell (Lord
Clyde), and was mentioned in his dispatch to the Adjutant-General of the Army (brevet of major, medal and two clasps).
On the annexation of the Punjab in 1849, he was appointed Deputy-Commissioner under the Board of Administration, and
served at Goojerat, Jhung, Shekhopoora., and Goojeranwalla and while in charge of the last-named district he wrote a
report on its agriculture, which was specially commended by the Financial Commissioner, the late Sir George Edmondstone.
In 1856 ho was nominated to officiate temporarily as Commissioner of the Lahore Division. In this capacity he prepared
the " Punjab Police Darogah’s Manual,” which was officially approved and adopted.
When the Mutiny broke out he was placed in charge of his old district of Goojeranwalla, and in April, 1858, he was
specially selected as one of the officers for the new Government of Oude, where he was appointed a Commissioner. Under
the direction of the Chief Commissioner he was employed in endeavoring to gain the confidence of influential landholders
and others in the western boundaries of the province, so as to procure such information as might be useful to the military
authorities generally, and latterly, more especially to Sir Thomas Seaton, the brigadier-general commanding at
Shahjehanpore, and on October 8 Major General Clarke accompanied him as civil and political officer, when he surprised
and routed a. rebel force at :Bunkagong. He was present in the actions of Pasgaon and Russoolpore, receiving the medal
for service. From 1859 till 1862 be served as Commissioner of the Khyrabad Division, Oude, retiring from the service in
the latter year. Ho married Frances Rice, daughter of the Rev. Charles Brown, rector of Whitstone, Devon.
John Clarke died 23 February 1895 and is buried in the family vault at St. Nicholas Church Tooting, London.
