Charles was born on St Valentine’s Day in 1883. His parents were Harry Clarke and his wife Jane Emma (nee Hall). He was born in Cosham, (which was in the district of Widley at that time), Portsmouth in Hampshire. The family home was a public house called the King and Queen Inn in Cosham High Street. This had been in the Clarke family for at least sixty years between 1851 and 1911.After this Charles father became a Dairy Farmer at Purbrook Heath. Charles had an elder brother, Harry Leonard born 1881 a sister, Edith Kate born 1884 and a younger brother, George who died in infancy in 1886.Charles married Ada Maria Winfield on 20th June 1908 at St Edwards Church Netley.