Clarke was Canadian born, and emigrated to the United States at an early age with his 9 siblings. His family settled in the carefree, post-WW2 suburban utopia that was California in the 1950s. Despite his easy going upbringing, some deep inside him called him to be a troopie. After his Rhodesian infantry training, he was enrolled in Support Commando, one of four active commandos of the Rhodesian Light Infantry.

On May 15, 1977, Clarke was on a foot patrol in Mtoko in support of Operation Hurricane, when he heard something in the bush. Instinctively, he warned his comrades and engaged a group of communist terrorists that had been hidden from the patrol’s view. With complete disregard for his own safety, he engaged the terrorists and foiled their plan for a hasty ambush. He was killed in the ensuing skirmish, his early contact warning likely saving several lives that day.