General Thomas Clarke

1780-1792

He was the son of Charles Clarke, M.P for Whitchurch, Hants, and Baron of the Exchequer.

Captain in Duke of Bedford’s Foot (raised for the ’45), 27^th September 1745; Half -Pay on disbandment 1746; Hon. C. Howard’s (19^th Foot), 2^nd February 1747; Lieutenant and Captain Coldstream Guards, 15^th May 1749; Captain and Lieutenant Colonel 4^th March 1761; Brevet Colonel 11^th June 1773; 2^nd Major, 8^th September 1775; Major-General, 29^th August 1777; Lieutenant-General, 20^th November 1782; General, 3^rd May 1796; A.D.C to the King 27^th July 1773; Colonel of the 31^st Foot 3rd May 1780; 30^th Foot, 8^th February 1792.

He was present with the Guards in the Expedition against Cherbourg and St. Malo, 1759 and took part in the Expedition against Charleston, South Carolina under Sir Henry Clinton in 1779. He was Bailiff of Godmanchester 1762, 1770, 1779 and 1797.

Died at Bath, 26^th October 1799.

During his term of command the 31^st were embarked on board ships of the Fleet at Spithead when war with Spain appeared likely and for a time it seemed that they would revert to a Marine capacity. But the crisis passed without further development.

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