Born in Ballarat, Victoria and a Carpenter by occupation, William Ralph Forbes Clarke was 21 years and single when enlisted on the 1st of November 1916 in the Hospital Transport Corps, Australian Imperial Force, with the rank of Private, Number 16330. His Unit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board No 2 Hospital Ship 'Kanowna' on the 25th of September 1917. Embarked return to Australia per 'Kanowna' on the 8th of March 1917 and discharged from the 3rd Military District on the 4th of April 1917. Tree No. 3465