CLIFFORD James

James Clifford enlisted as a Private in the Worcestershire Regiment on 6th September 1914 at Sheffield. On his attestation paper he gave his age as 24 years, his place of birth as Worcester, Worcestershire and his occupation as a labourer. He was resident at 126 Cuthbert Bank Road, Sheffield and his next of kin was his sister, Mrs Elizabeth Allen of the same address. James was 5 feet 7½ inches tall with brown eyes and brown hair. He was mobilised on 6th September 1914 and posted overseas on 11th December 1914. He was killed in action on 20th January 1915 and buried near the main Estaires – La Bassee Road, ¾ mile west of Neuf Chapelle, near the trenches occupied by the battalion. His medals and personal effects were sent to his sister, Mrs Elizabeth Allen in Sheffield.

Additional information from Berrow’s Worcester Journal states he was with the 5th battalion of the Worcestershire Regiment and was killed at La Bassee on 20th January after having on the previous day sent home a copy of the stirling poem entitled “The Great Promotion”.

A photograph of Private James Clifford can be found in Berrow’s Worcester Journal Supplement, Saturday 20th February 1915, available at Worcestershire Archives.