Major-General John Clarke, [K.H.], was gazetted as an Ensign to the 54th (West Norfolk) Regiment in June 1814 and quickly saw action at the Battle of Waterloo. Advanced to Lieutenant in November 1821, he went on to serve as a Brigade Major in the Ava operations of 1824-26, in which he was severely wounded while leading the attack upon the fortified heights of Arakan. Advancement to Major followed in December 1829, to Lieutenant-Colonel in November 1841 and to Colonel in June 1854, and he was Hon. Colonel of the 59th Foot at the time of his death in March 1865. Clarke had attained the rank of Major-General back in October 1858.