Colonel R G Clarke CMG DSO MBE

Commanded 1^st Bn The Queen's Royal Regiment from 14^th May 1924 to 18^th April 1928.

Also served in 5^th Militia Bn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment

Reginald Graham Clarke, known as 'Nobby', was born on 21^st August 1879 and educated at Harrow School. He was commissioned in The Queen's Royal West Surrey Regiment on 18^th October 1899 from 5^th (Militia) Bn The Royal Warwickshire Regiment. He served with the 2^nd Battalion in the South African War and took part in the operations for the Relief of Ladysmith, including the Battle of Colenso. He was Mentioned in Despatches and received the Queen's Medal with five clasps and the King's Medal with two clasps.

In the 1914-18 War he served in France and Flanders and his appointments included Corps Machine-Gun Officer 15 Corps and Deputy Inspector of Machine-Gun Units 4^th Army HQ with the rank of Colonel. He was four times Mentioned in Despatches and was awarded the DSO in January 1918. He was made a Chevalier of the French Legion of Honour and received the French Croix de Guerre. In June 1919 he was made a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George.

On 14^th May 1924 he was appointed to command the 1^st Battalion at. Aldershot. In 1927 he took the Battalion to China and having completed his tour of command sailed for UK on 18^th April 1928. He retired from the Army on 15^th November 1928 with the rank of Colonel.

After his retirement he had many interests including membership of the Kent Special Constabulary and the administration of pre-service units especially the Sea Cadets. For this service he was made a MBE in January 1958.

He made many gifts to the Regiment including the Carlisle figures and Drum Majors' Maces to the 1^st and 2^nd Battalions.

He died on 27^th October 1959.

For obituary see the Journal of The Queen's Royal Surrey Regiment Vol 1 No 1 May 1960 page 46.

 

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