Edward Denman Clarke

This article is a part of WikiProject Biography/Military.

Captain Edward Denman Clarke was a World War I flying ace. Although he was credited with six aerial victories, he was granted a Military Cross for his valour in a ground attack mission.

In later life, Clarke earned the Order of the British Empire as the managing director of the aviation and shipping corporation Saunders-Roe.

Early life
Edward Denman Clarke was born on 21 May 1898 in England. He was educated at Eton College.

World War I
On 22 August 1916, Clarke was appointed a Flying Officer when he qualified as a pilot in the Royal Flying Corps. He was then posted to No. 45 Squadron RFC, where he scored six aerial victories between 23 August and 20 October 1917.

He was shot down by ground fire on 26 October 1917, as he strafed enemy positions from his Sopwith Camel during the Battle of Passchendaele. His courage on that occasion earned him a Military Cross. The accompanying award citation, gazetted 23 April 1918, told the tale:


 * "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He has shot down five enemy machines. In an attack he repeatedly dived to within fifty feet of the enemy infantry, firing between 500 and 600 rounds. Though struck by a piece of shell, which wounded him in both arms and shattered both petrol tanks, he succeeded in gliding back behind our lines."

List of aerial victories
See also Aerial victory standards of World War I

Post World War I
On 31 January 1919, Clarke relinquished his commission because he became unemployed by the Royal Air Force. He later married Maureen Cowie Leitch; they had one son, Sir Peter Cecil Clarke, born 9 August 1927.

Late in life, Edward Denman Clarke was honoured with the award of Commander in the Order of the British Empire on 31 May 1956; at the time, he was the managing director of Saunders-Roe Ltd, Cowes, Isle of Wight.

Clarke died on 5 September 1966.