CLARKE, George John Isaiah
| Service Number: | 119 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 1 January 1921 |
| Last Rank: | Flight Lieutenant |
| Last Unit: | HMAS Australia (II) D84 - WW2 |
| Born: | Charters Towers, Queensland, 22 September 1907 |
| Home Town: | Sydney, City of Sydney, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | RAN College, Jervis Bay |
| Occupation: | Professional Air Force Pilot |
| Died: | Naval Battle - HMAS Australia raid on Dakar, Dakar, Senegal, French West Africa, 25 September 1940, aged 33 years |
| Cemetery: |
No known grave - "Known Unto God" |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, HMAS Australia (Honour Roll), Malta Memorial, Floriana, Municipality of Strathfield WW2 Roll of Honour |
World War 2 Service
| 1 Jan 1921: | Enlisted Royal Australian Navy, Sub Lieutenant | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Jan 1921: | Enlisted Royal Australian Navy, Lieutenant | |
| 2 Sep 1939: | Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Lieutenant, 119, HMAS Australia (II) D84 - WW2, Battle of the Atlantic - RAN and RAAF Operations | |
| 2 Sep 1939: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Lieutenant, 119, No. 9 Squadron (RAAF) | |
| 2 Sep 1939: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Lieutenant, 119 |
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George Clarke was at the time of his death the pilot of the Supermarine Walrus amphibian seaplane, belonging to No. 9 Squadron RAAF, embarked on the heavy cruiser HMAS Australia.
HMAS Australia was part of a Royal Naval force despatched under the ausipces of "Operation Menace", to Dakar, the capital of Senegal, and run by a pro-Vichy French adminstration. On station, HMAS Australia intercepted and re-directed a French cruiser, the Gloire which had been slowed by mechanical problems while heading for Dakar, to Casablanca (1).
Off Dakar on 25 September, HMAS Australia launched its Walrus flying boat in order that it could spot naval gunfire directed at the coastal batteries and French warships at anchor in the harbour. It was intercepted and shot down by three Curtis Hawk fighters operated by the Vichy French airforce. George Clarke and his crew were killed. It was thought he was disabled by the fighter attack leading directly to the aircraft crashing(2).
Steve Larkins Feb 2016
(1) Wikepedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Dakar
(2) Airforce History Unit
Biography contributed by Sharyn Roberts
George John Isaiah CLARKE was born on 22nd September, 1907 in Charters Towers, Queensland
His parents were George Thomas Mitchell CLARKE & Elizabeth MORGAN
He was a graduate of R.A.N. College, Jervis Bay and held Navigator, Wireless & Engineers licences, Civil Aviation, Sydney to New Guinea & Rabaul service
George married Ellen Elizabeth Hope DAISH in Sydney in 1935
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His father George Thomas CLARKE (SN 205) served in WW1 and was killed at Gallipoli in 1915
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