Reginald Clarke was born on 16 December 1904 in Kensington, London. He served for some time in the RNR (Seniority as Midshipman 1 September 1921 and as Lieutenant 3 April 1929) before retiring in April 1937. During WW2 he served in HMS MEDWAY at Alexandria (submarine depot ship for 1st Submarine Flotilla), ashore at HMS MEDWAY II at Beirut in late 1942 serving as Staff Officer (Intelligence), 1st Submarine Flotilla. He transferred in 1945 to the South African Naval Forces. He was serving in HMS ADAMANT when he was killed in an aircraft accident, when en route from Peleliu to Leyte in the Philippines on 24 July 1945. A Dakota KN530 crashed into the sea South of Tacloban Bay, Leyte, and all on board were killed. The weather at the time was very poor with 10/10ths cloud at 1,000 feet and a tropical storm with ground fog. The aircraft apparently stalled from 500 feet and disintegrated on hitting the water. All bodies were recovered except for one passenger.

Reginald Clarke was awarded a Mention in Despatches as an Acting Commander in the 1945 Birthday Honours. He was the husband of Cynthia Edkins Clarke, of Durban.