James and Lucy didn't have a son James but their sons, Harry and Neil, both served in the war of 1914 - 18.

Harry was my grandfather and I know he had service medals for the Boer war and the first world war.

I don't have much info on Neil.

Harry Clacks son, William, served in the second world war in the RAMC in the 8th army and had service medals for France and Burma. He also served in the army in India in the 1920s.

If dklaxon is correct, and it looks likely, James Clack (1826)enlisted in the Royal Navy in the Marines in 1946 and served in Shangai, China in 1861. He was discharged from the navy in 1867. That possibly links up with the listing in the 1881 census which states that he is a Greenwich Pensioner. It also explains why I couldn't find him on the 1851 - 1861 censuses.

I still can't find his parents and don't know where to look next.

Many thanks for your help.