He was the eldest of four children born to Elizabeth Ellen (née Finlay) and Joseph Alfred Clark.

He returned to Coonamble in 1915 and began an apprenticeship with his father, but also studied engineering by correspondence and was articled to a surveyor.

He was associated with the Lang Labor faction and unsuccessfully sought preselection for the seat of Darling prior to the 1931 federal election.

He was the last surviving MP who served during the Prime Ministerships of Joseph Lyons, Earle Page, the first tenure of Robert Menzies and Arthur Fadden.

He was widowed in 1962 and the following year married Melbourne Mary "Mollie" Regan, his brother-in-law's ex-wife.