Transcript 

of

Sir Andrew Clarke, R.E., G.C.M.G., C.B. [Obituary]

Trans. Devon Assoc.,  vol. XXXIV, (1902), pp. 3-37.

by

J. Brooking-Rowe (ed.).

Prepared by Michael Steer

The obituary was read at the Association’s July 1902 Bideford meeting. Sir Andrew was a highly skilled and decorated soldier, engineer and colonial administrator. He was a member of the Devonshire Association for only a short time towards the end of his life. His complete biography is available in Wikipedia. A marble bust of Sir Andrew is in the Victoria Concert Hall, Singapore. His obituary, from a copy of a rare and much sought-after journal can be downloaded from the Internet Archive. Google has sponsored the digitisation of books from several libraries. These books, on which copyright has expired, are available for free educational and research use, both as individual books and as full collections to aid researchers.

John Baron, D.D., F.S.A., was the eldest son of Dr. Baron, for many years rector of Brill, near Oxford. He was educated at the Islington Proprietory School, and subsequently entered at Queen's College, Oxford, where he gained an open scholarship - a rare event in those days; he took his B.A. degree in 1838, proceeding to M.A. in 1841, and D.D. in 1878; and in the following year, 1879, was elected F.S.A.; he was ordained deacon 1840, and priest 1841, by the Archbishop of York. In 1841 he was made Michell Fellow of Queen's College, and held his fellowship until he was appointed, in 1850, Rector of the College living of Upton Scudamore, in Wiltshire, which he held for a period of thirty-five years until his death. He was curate of St. Mary's, Sheffield, 1840-42; curate of Sparsholt and Kingston Lisle, Berks, 1842; and vicar of Waterperry, Oxon, 1843-48.

Sir Andrew Clarke, R.E., G.C.M.G., C.B, etc., was born 27th July, 1824, and was the son of Colonel Andrew Clarke, of Belmont, Donegal, Governor of West Australia. He was educated at the Kings School, Canterbury; Portora, Enniskillen; and the Military Academy, Woolwich; and entered the Royal Engineers 1844, and commenced a distinguished career. Clarke served in the New Zealand Campaigns (medal), 1847-8 ; M.L.C., Tasmania, 1851; Surveyor-General of Victoria, 1853 ; M.P. for Melbourne; and was appointed Minister of Lands, resigning in 1857. He was employed on the special mission to the West Coast of Africa, including Ashanti troubles, 1863-4, and was mentioned in the despatches. He was Director of Works of the Navy, 1864-73, and designed and carried out the very important extensions of the Naval Arsenals at Chatham, Portsmouth, Plymouth, Cork, Malta, Bermuda, and other places; and was afterwards Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Straits Settlements, bringing the Malay Native States under the protection of Great Britain, and receiving a medal. Afterwards he was sent on the Mission to Siam, and was Minister of Public Works in India from 1875-80. From 1881 to 1886 he was Inspector-General of Fortifications, and projected and executed the defences of coaling stations. He was promoted Major-General in 1885, and Lieutenant-General in 1886. He was at the time of his death Agent-General for Victoria. He was the author of various works on engineering and sport. Death closed a long, busy, and useful life 29th March, 1902. He was a member of the Association for a short time only, having been elected in 1901.