Arthur Joseph Clarke was a Civilian Accessory Mechanic based at Langford Lodge, Co. Antrim during the Second World War. Born on 25th June 1917, he was the son of Arthur Joseph Clarke and Jeanette Clarke (née Atkinson) of Chicago, Illinois, United States of America.
On 8th March 1936, he married Henrietta Norma Hammerich in Indiana, U.S.A. The couple had 2 sons; Arthur Joseph Clarke born on 11th January 1937, and Ronald James Clarke born on 17th September 1938, and a daughter. In 1943, when Clarke received his draft papers, the family lived at 2256 Berteau Avenue, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A. Arthur worked for the Chicago Herald-American newspaper based at 326 West Madison Street, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.
In 1943, Clarke came to Northern Ireland as an employee of the Lockheed Overseas Corporation. He worked as a Civilian Accessory Mechanic under a War Department Contract. He was attached to 349th Bomber Squadron, 100th Bomber Group.
Arthur died on 26th November 1943 aged 26 years old. A military vehicle collided with the American’s bicycle as he returned to his post at Langford Lodge, Co. Antrim. His funeral took place at 1400hrs on 2nd December 1943 at Plot M, Row 2, Grave 16 of Brookwood American Military Cemetery, Brookwood, Surrey, England. A temporary white wooden cross marked the site.
On 19th March 1948, Clarke was disinterred from Brookwood American Military Cemetery. On 20th May 1948, a permanent burial took place at the Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial, Cambridgeshire, England.