Son of Terence and Bridget Clarke, of Granard, Co. Longford, Ireland, late of Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester. Born Granard, Co. Longford, Ireland. Nicholas's father was a baker and both parents were originally from Co. Cavan; Nicholas was named after his paternal uncle, who resided with the family at their home in Mohill in 1901. By 1911 Nicholas (junior) was living in Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester, with his brother, Terence Mitchell Clarke. Both brothers were working for the canal company; Nicholas was a rates clerk, whilst Terence was a railway clerk. Clarke entered the war in September 1914 in Egypt, with the Royal Army Medical Corps, serving as a Staff Serjeant. He was commissioned as an officer on the 26 March 1917 (General List) as a T/2nd Lieutenant before being transferred to the Royal Flying Corps. In June 1917 2nd Lt Clarke was with the 57th Reserve Squadron of the RFC in, Egypt. He was operating as a pilot under instruction, when he accidentally lost the aircraft. There was no definitive cause established for the incident, but the report suggested that Clarke was trying to avoid another aircraft at the time, and his plane was in otherwise good condition. Nicholas's plane was a Royal Aircraft Factory bi-wing B.E. 2c number 4395** which was reportedly with the 14th Squadron serving in the Arabian region. ref. South African Roll of Honour 1914-1918