Watch List notes:

Gwalior Star 1843. Private William Clarke H.M. 40th Reg. Engraved. Original ribbon very aged but with spare newer ribbon, good very fine.

Ex the Tom May Collection, Noble Numismatics Sale 99 (lot 2017).

William Clarke was born at Hadleigh, Essex, England on 4 June 1817. He enlisted as a private in the 40th (2nd Somersetshire) Regiment of Foot and fought at the Battle of Maharajpoor on 29 December 1843. The regiment returned to Ireland and in 1852 embarked from Cork on the steamship 'Vulcan' bound for Port Phillip Bay, Melbourne, Victoria. William Clarke is recorded on the muster roll (copy attached). The regiment helped suppress the Eureka Rebellion in 1854 and then fought in the Second Maori War 1860-61. It is possible that William Clarke may have deserted with others at Ballarat in 1855 to prospect for gold. He died at Ballarat, Victoria in 1890 at the age of 73.

With research.