FAMOUS SOLDIER DEAD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21167, 27 April 1932, Page 11

FAMOUS SOLDIER DEAD.

SIR CHARLES CLARKE. SERVICE IN MAORI WAR. (Received April 26, 7.45 p.m.) LONDON, April 25. The death lias occurred of General Sir Charles Mansfield Clarke, aged 93 years. Charles Mansfield Clarke, soldier, former Governor of Malta and baronet, was born in 1839, as the aon of the Rev. Sir C. Clarke, Baronet, and entered the Army at 17, joining the old 57th Foot as an ensign. When in 1.860 the Maori War broke out in New Zealand, he was with the first troops sent out to the colony and took part in the lighting which occurred off and on in the next six years, 1 lis services being commended in despatches several times. He next saw service in Sou Hi Africa in the Zulu War of 1879, which opened disastrously for the British arms with the destruction of a force of over 800 men. In tin; vigorous operations that, followed litis misfortune, " Clarke's Column" was a by-word for bravery and clash, contributing greatly to the success of the campaign. In consequence of Ihe Zulu outbreak it was decided in 1880 to disarm another powerful tribe, the Basutos. They resisted, however, and Clarke plaved a prominent part, in subduing them. He was then made commandant - general of the colonial forces at Ihe Cape and remained ii: that post, until 1882. In 1884 he was appointed assistant - Adjutant-General at, the War Office and two years later went to Ireland as Deputv Adjutant-General. Returning to England in 1889. he became major-general in command of the. 3rd Infantry Brigade at Aldershot. From 1892 to 1898 lie was Cornrnander-in-Cliief of the forces in Madras with Hie rank of lieutenant-gen-eral His father died in 1899 and ho succeeded to the baronetcy. Then after four vcars at, home as quartermaster-general to the forces, during which he was awarded the G.C.8.. lie was made Governor of Malta in 1903 and received the (-.C. Y.u. In 1907 he retired. He married a daughter of William 1 ift Adams in 1867 and had a son and two daughters. The son. Captain < bar Irs Clarke after considerable war service It."' retired' from the Army, Imt, on the outbreak of the World War he rejoined and was killed. Lady Clarke died in 192* One of the daughters is the wife of l>i j, iK lier-General tie iron. G. 'ovlos.-.m and the other of Major-Genera If ,irl Sir F. Bingham. In April, 1929. it was announced that Sir Charles at the ape of 80, had become engaged to be manied > Miss Constance IVarner.