Benjamin Clarke was born in Shoreditch, London on 11 August 1885, the son of Benjamin Jacob and Lucy Clarke of Hackney, London. He joined the Royal Navy as Boy Second Class on 26 January 1900. He trained as a Seaman Gunner and, by 2 March 1909, he had been rated Petty Officer (GL1). He was promoted to Warrant Rank as an Acting Gunner on 14 August 1911 and appointed to the battleship HMS THUNDERER. At the Battle of Jutland on 31 May and 1 June 1916 HMS THUNDERER engaged the cruiser SMS WEISBADEN and two German battleships. He was appointed to the HMS RESOLUTION on 1 August 1916. On 1 August 1917 Benjamin Clarke was promoted to Lieutenant and appointed to HMS WOLVERINE. This was followed by an appointment to the destroyer HMS PORPOISE on 12 January 1918.

On 26 September 1918 Benjamin Clarke was appointed to HMS DOLPHIN for Submarine Course. From 12 December 1918 he served in U-107 as First Lieutenant followed by an appointment to U-164 as First Lieutenant from 20 January 1919 to 10 June 1919. On 1 July 1919 Benjamin Clarke was appointed to HMS M3 as the Gunnery Officer and then appointed to HMS K5 as Third Hand on 1 December 1920.

HMS K5 was lost with its entire crew whilst diving to attack battle cruisers during a tactical exercise in the Western Approaches on 20 January 1921. The reason for the loss was not established but it is believed that the submarine accidentally exceeded its safe diving depth.

Benjamin Clarke was the husband of Ellen Mary Clarke of Devonport. He is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval War Memorial on Panel No. 32