CLIFFORD Walter Joseph

Walter Clifford was born on 8th November 1892 in Worcester, the son of George and Ellen Clifford (nee Weaver) who had married in 1880.  Sadly he never knew his father as George’s death aged 33 is recorded in the December quarter 1892 under the Martley registration district.  At some point after George’s death Ellen moved to 12 Laslett Street, Worcester where she resides as a widow on the 1901 census with her family of 3 sons and a daughter, Walter being the youngest, and a boarder by the name of Thomas Bennett.  A relationship must have developed between Ellen and Thomas for in 1909 Ellen married Thomas Bennett in Worcester and the couple are found on the 1911 census living at 22 Vauxhall Street Worcester with Ellen’s 2 children, Fanny aged 21 and Walter aged 19.

Walter emigrated to Canada after this date. He enlisted as a Private in the Canadian Over-Seas Expeditionary Force on 2nd August 1915 at Toronto, Ontario, Canada. His brother George Frederick Clifford was also residing in Toronto at 126, Leslie Street. On his attestation paper Walter stated he was single, he gave his next of kin as his mother, Ellen Bennett, 67 Vauxhall St, Worcester England and his occupation as an electrician. Walter was 5 feet 4½ inches tall with brown eyes, brown hair and a fair complexion.

Walter sailed with his unit from Halifax, Canada on board S.S. Empress of Britain on 29th March 1916, arriving in Liverpool, England on 9th April 1916. He arrived in France on 18th June 1916 and was killed in action on 22nd September 1916. His medals and decorations were sent to his brother George at 99 Sheridan Avenue, Toronto, other items were sent to his mother, Ellen Bennett, 27 Church Street, Worcester.

National Archives of Canada Reference: RG150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 1800 – 28.

The Canada War Graves Registers (Circumstances of Casualty) records the following information on Private Walter Clifford, 139044:
“Killed in Action”
Was instantly killed by shell fire, while in the trenches at Courcelette.
Cemetery: Sunken Road Cemetery. ½ mile South East of Pozieres, 4 miles North East of Albert, France.