Oliver Joseph Bourke Clarke was born in Sydney, New South Wales during 1893 and was working as a bank clerk before he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force. He was 22 years of age when he enlisted at Liverpool on 11 April 1915 and was assigned to the 7th Light Horse Regiment with the rank of trooper. His brother, Gunner James Vincent Clarke also served in the First World War.

Clarke departed Sydney aboard HMAT Suffolk on 28 July 1915. Whilst serving with the 7th Light Horse Regiment in the Middle East, he fell victim to a twisted knee that was acquired during a military football match. He returned to Australia on 14 March 1919. Oliver Joseph Bourke Clarke died in Manly in 1963.