12 Facts About Ralph Clark

Lieutenant Ralph Clark was a British officer in the Royal Marines, best known for his diary spanning the early years of British settlement in Australia, including the voyage of the First Fleet.

Ralph Clark was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, to Ann and George Ralph Clark.

Ralph Clark saw service in the American Revolutionary War, and at the end of his service returned to live in London, although he was assigned to the Portsmouth division of the marines.

Ralph Clark was posted to the Friendship, which held mainly female convicts.

Ralph Clark established one such garden on a small island in Port Jackson, which would subsequently be known as Ralph Clark Island.

Ralph Clark was quite friendly with local Aboriginal tribes, particularly compared to some of his companions.

On Norfolk Island, Ralph Clark was made quartermaster general and keeper of the stores at Sydney Bay, and was later put in charge of the settlement at Charlotte Field.

Ralph Clark's wife died early in 1794, whilst giving birth to a stillborn child.

Ralph Clark had a letterbook, in which many of his letters, both to his family and to other officers, were pasted.

Ralph Clark was extremely homesick, and longed to see his wife and son, writing as early as the second day of the voyage: "Oh my God all my hoppes [sic] are over of seeing my beloved wife and son".

Ralph Clark often expressed pleasure at the flogging of convicts, although rarely performed the punishment himself.

Ralph Clark did occasionally empathise with the convicts, especially when they were mistreated.