Frederick James Clarke was born at Waimate North on 13 June 1874.
His early life at Waimate was shaped by loss — his mother Mary Anne Kemp died when he was only eight years old — and the attentions of maiden aunts, which he later recalled as kindly intended but somewhat restrictive.
As a youth he went to Hastings as a cadet, probably on the property 'Frimley' owned by J.N. Williams, son of Bishop William Williams.
From there he accompanied a consignment of stock to Argentina — so long without word that the family feared he had been killed.
He eventually made his way to England, settled in Manchester, and in 1906 married Lavinia Mayall (born Manchester, 6 January 1882). Their five eldest children were born in Manchester, and it was in 1917 that Frederick brought the family to New Zealand, settling eventually at Onehunga, Auckland.
Fred and Lavinia endured many hard times; both worked to support the family. While employed at a factory in Onehunga, Fred suffered a painful back injury slipping on a wet floor while carrying a heavy sack. With advancing years he developed a severe stoop but maintained a productive garden.
They had seven children:
- Nellie (1907–1968),
- William Junior (1909–1981),
- Alice (born 1910),
- Mary Lavinia 'Molly' (1913–?),
- Doris May (1914–1972),
- George Frederick (1920, died aged six weeks), and
- James Edward (1922–1981).
Their son William Clarke Junior established a plumbing business in Tauranga and later Papatoetoe, built up over decades with his son Peter. William was recognised by Rotary International with a Paul Harris award for outstanding service shortly before his death.
Their daughter Alice Clarke married Ross Williams Hooker, continuing into Auckland's bookbinding trade.
Their daughter Doris May Clarke married Edgar Thomas Jones, a newspaper compositor who managed Beaumont's Nurseries at Manurewa.