Ernest Clarke was born in 1877, and by the age of 22 had started out on a business career. He was operating as a boot and shoemaker, but also dealt in leather and shoe making supplies, and was the agent for Day and Martin, an internationally known British firm of polish manufacturers, which had started business in the 17^th century. His business operated at 72 ½ Water Lane. In 1903 he was in London arranging to introduce other products from the Day and Martin line into Jamaica, including laundry blue and a special tan shoe polish. The list of Day and Martin products grew to include polishes for harness for horses, for bicycle enamel, furniture, knives, and even straw hats! The company were so impressed with Clarke’s drive and initiative that they made him their agent for the whole West Indian region. During this period Clarke was made agent for Peek Frean’s, the famous biscuit manufacturers, soon becoming their agent for the whole West Indian market.

 

Ernest Clarke took a great interest in the promotion of cycling as a sport in Jamaica and the Caribbean. Events in Jamaica were sponsored by Day and Martin, and 1909, as representative of Fry’s, the chocolate manufacturers, he sponsored a ‘Fry’s Gold Cup’ competition for cyclists from Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad and Demerara. The first contest came off successfully in Trinidad in June 1909. Clarke was in Trinidad for the presentation of the Cup, which was won by a Jamaican competitor, who received an enthusiastic welcome when he returned to the island.

 

Clarke was also an automobile enthusiast, and brought the latest models of cars to the island for display and sale. In 1909 it was a ‘Clyde’, which he sold after driving around the island; in 1910 it was French Darracq cars that he was promoting from his business place which was now at 53 Church Street. By 1911 he had moved his offices to the newly built Coronation Building on King Street just below the court buildings. Here he continued to expand his range, including soaps and perfume, as well as car tires and spark plugs, and bicycles and bicycle parts, including Michelin cycle tires.

 

In 1911 he expressed strong support for the re-establishment of a subsidized direct shipping line to the U.K., on condition that the Jamaican taxpayer’s support for the line meant lower freight rates for goods shipped by that route.

 

His business continued to flourish into the war years, and he continued to support and sponsor sporting events. Further research needs to be done into the later years of his career, but the Ellis Island records record him travelling on business to New York in 1919, giving as his closest relative Mrs E C Clarke of 324 Brentford Road, Kingston. It would be good to know more of this energetic and innovative businessman. 

A British manufacturer’s agent who had met him in England in 1914 wrote of him: ‘one did not very often drop across such a merry soul among my own fraternity at home, and if the subject of this appreciation is not very much above the overseas average they certainly must have some “good uns.”’