Hi Ian
I'm keeping everything crossed this is the same person - but you are right, we need to be sure.
Frederick John b. 1st Jan 1878 in Thurlton, Norfolk (moved to Suffolk aged 3 yrs to Blythburgh and often in the census returns this is put down as his place of birth).
Parents Thomas Charles Clarke and Anna (nee Scarll).
Not sure of his medals because they are "lost" somewhere in the family. All I know is that there were 7 of them (we have fuzzy photograph of them) one of which has bars on it; one looks like a star. Only detail as mentioned in the newspaper article. Apparently he was "mentioned in dispatches" and my aunt remembers a letter signed by ?the king and/or Churchill - but alas that has gone the same way as the medals.
Hope that helps.
Thank you so much for all your help.
Best wishes,
Susie