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Alex died peacefully in a nursing home on 24 August 2023. Since having a series of small strokes in 2017, he developed Alzheimer’s which led to his disorientation and a difficult and sad end to his life.
Alex followed his father, David Clarke, and his grandfather, Harry Clarke, into Olds House in 1961. Like both, he played in the football XI and the cricket XI, where he excelled as a wicketkeeper.
On leaving Lancing, Alex went to Australia for a year as a jackaroo, became a commodity broker in cocoa in the City of London on his return before re-training as a teacher in Design and Technology at Moulsford and Papplewick schools. He was an outstanding woodworker and coached the school cricket teams.
Cricket played a major part throughout Alex’s life and after leaving Lancing, he played for the Lancing Rovers in the Cricketer Cup matches. He joined Blackheath Cricket Club and was part of the winning team which played in the 1971 National Club Knock-out Final for the Derrick Robins Trophy at Lord’s.
In 2004, Alex went to live in Thailand for 11 years where he taught English. On his return, he went to Blackheath Cricket Club to do some coaching and umpiring. The Club turned out in force to remember him at his funeral on 12 September 2023.
Alex was loved by all his family and friends and will be greatly missed, especially by his sister.
Tessa Clarke