ANDREW CLARKE

Andrew Jr. was the eldest son of protestant Irishman, Dr. Andrew Clarke.

At the age of 18 (one source says 13 but this was the age at which he joined the army as an ensign), Andrew Clarke Jr. was in charge of all the troops stationed in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) and serving with the 46th Regiment of Foot he reached the rank of Lt. Colonel.

In 1823 he married Frances Jackson (nee Lardiner) with whom he had 4 sons.

He served in New South Wales, India, Europe, Gibraltar and the West Indies where he became Governor of St. Lucia in 1843.

Lt. Col. Andrew Clarke became Governor of Western Australia in 1846 but he had very little chance to make an impact. He became seriously ill and George Fletcher Moore took over administration of the colony while Clarke was incapacitated.

He died in office the following year.

Not surprisingly he is little remarked on in Western Australian historic literature.