This is one of a series of posts to mark the international Rugby players who served in, and survived, The Great War. If anyone has further information on the men concerned, I’d be most grateful if it could be added to the thread. Gareth Clarken, James (‘Jimmy’) played for Australia Internationals: 4 : 1905 NZ- ; 1910 NZ- NZ+ NZ- James Clarken was born on 19 July 1876, in Thames, New Zealand. Played as a Hooker for: Glebe, NSW, AIF Profession: Goldminer and hire car owner Remarks: He first played for Glebe in 1900, when the club won the First, Reserve and Third Grade Premierships. He first played for NSW (v Queensland) in 1904, and played for the State v Great Britain the next year. A noted surf lifesaver, he helped fellow International Harald Baker to bring eight swimmers ashore at Maroubra in an epic surf rescue in 1912. He was selected for the 1912 Australian tour of the US and Canada. He played for the AIF team in 1918-1919, including the 6-5 win over the NZEF; the only defeat inflicted on the NZ team in the King’s Cup Tournament. Jim Clarken played 140 games for Glebe, and then 11 games for Randwick. He played for NSW 24 times. War service: 4486, Private, 4th Australian Mechanical Transport Service. He enlisted on 22 or 26 April 1915, and returned to Australia on 15 May 1919. The ADFA roll has him serving with the 3rd Australian General Hospital, which departed Sydney on board RMS Mooltan on 15 May 1915. He died in Sydney on 31 July 1953.
