The Grandfather Rhodesian Saga 1897-1941 Francis Clarke

A biography of Francis Joseph Sheil O’ Cleary Clarke, based on his diary, written c. 1931-40.

Born in Ireland, Clarke arrived in Cape Town in 1895. He fought against the Boers in the Jameson Raid of 1896 and then trekked by ox-wagon to Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), reaching Bulawayo in 1897. He worked for the Native Department, guarded the Limpopo frontier during the Boer War, and worked as a Magistrate for 33 years in Gwelo, Gatooma, Umtali, Fort Victoria, Hartley, Enkeldoorn and Salisbury, where he retired in 1930.

Duncan Clarke was born in Salisbury (now Harare) in 1948. He is Francis Joseph Sheil O’ Cleary Clarke's grandson. His books include Cecil Rhodes' Library; Zambesia, the literary safari; The Last Rhodesians, society adrift; Rhodes' Ghost: The conquest of Zambesia; Africa's Future: Darkness to destiny and Africa: Crude continent: The struggle for Africa's oil prize. He founded Global Pacific & Partners in 1978. In 2016 he established Royal Sable Publishing. He lives in the UK.