Andrew Clarke (governor)

Andrew Clarke ( * 1793, † February 11, 1847 in Western Australia ) was the third Governor of the Australian state of Western Australia.

Life

Clarke's father came from a small village in Belmont County Donegal, Northern Ireland. In 1790 his parents were married on the Caribbean island of St. Kitts, three years later, their first son Andrew was born. 1806 Andrew Clarke joined at the age of thirteen years in the British Army with the rank of ensign and served in the 46th Infantry Regiment ( South Devonshire ) in Europe, Australia and India. In 1823 he married in England, Frances Jackson widow. In 1842 he was transferred with his regiment to the West Indies and was appointed Lieutenant Governor of St. Lucia. Three years later Clarke was given command of the 41st Infantry Regiment in Western Australia, where it was used as a governor. Clark was in 1838 shortlisted for this post, but then John Hutt was given preference.

On January 26, 1846 Clarke came along with his wife and stepdaughter in Australia. However, in July of the same year he became seriously ill and could no longer fulfill his duties. Finally, he succumbed to his illness on February 11, 1847.