Hubert Thomas Clarke was born in 1886.

As a young man he was in the Cadet Corps (Victoria Institute, Worcester) and on the 13th May 1907 as a Second Lieutenant he was attached to the 2nd Volunteer Battalion, The Worcestershire Regiment. On the 21st January 1908 he was promoted to Lieutenant.

When the 2nd Volunteer Battalion, The Worcestershire Regiment was re-designated to the 8th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment (Territorial Force) in April 1908 he was appointed to the battalion with the rank of Lieutenant.

In the spring of 1911 he married May E. Wasley at Evesham, Worcestershire. that same year he was promoted to rank of Captain on the 6th November 1911.

On the outbreak of the First World War he was a Captain the the 1/8th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment and landed in France with that battalion on the 31st March 1915.

On the 30th September 1916 he was appointed Temporary Major and on the 12th October 1916 became second-in-command of the 1/8th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment.

On the 23rd June 1917 he was promoted to rank of Major.

On the 26th October 1917 he was made Acting Lieut.-Colonel and given command of the 1/8th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment.

In October 1918 he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (D.S.O.) for his actions at the Battle of Beaurevoir.

Citation read:
"For fine leadership and gallantry during the period 5th/10th October 1918. He was called upon suddenly to organise and carry out the attack on Beaurevoir. This he did with the greatest skill, his battalion, in face
of heavy opposition, finally gaining all their objectives, and thereby making the next big attack possible. Later, he captured Honnechy, showing skill and ability in doing so. Throughout these operations his grasp of the situation was clear and concise." (London Gazette 8th March 1919).

Lieut.-Col. H. T. Clarke