Wander00,
Clarkson father-in-law was Major James Cain. One would have to be deaf, dumb and blind or to have lived on a remote island not to know about his VC. It was one of five at Arnhem but the only one to a living recipient.
In a book published in 1946, the details are shown and he was fairly high profile.
The chap whose VC was a surprise was Bill Reid. It was only on his wedding day that his bride knew he had been awarded it.
Old Duffer