CLIFFORD William Ernest

The birth of William Ernest Clifford is registered in the September Quarter 1883 under the Worcester Registration District.

1911 Census:
Bridge House, Mill St., Worcester:
Mr W. Clifford, head, age 38, Engine Driver, born High Green, Severn Stoke
Mrs Clifford, wife, age 38, married 19 years, 8 children, all still living, born Cherry Orchard, Worcester
Mr William Clifford Junior, son, age 18, Iron Moulder, born Park St, Worcester
Mr Percy E. Clifford, son, age 15, Blacksmith Striker, born Portland St, Worcester
Miss E. May Clifford, daughter, age 13, School, born Portland St, Worcester
Master Sidney Clifford, son, age 7, School, born Portland St, Worcester
Miss Lily Clifford, daughter, age 4, born Mill St, Worcester.
Master Arthur Clifford, son, age 2, born Mill St, Worcester.
Miss Doris Clifford, daughter, age 4 months, born Mill St, Worcester.
Mrs Sarah Radford, boarder, widow, age 64, Gloveress, working at home, born St Peter’s Parish, Worcester

The following report appears in Berrow’s Worcester Journal, Saturday 6th February 1915:
Severn Stoke Man’s brave end
Mrs William Clifford, of Severn Stoke, whose husband and three sons have been serving in the Army, has received a letter addressed to “The next of kin of No. 8323, Pte. W. Clifford, C Co, Worcestershire Regiment,” from the Sergeant of the 9th Platoon, confirming the death of her son. The writer says “You will have been informed by now of the death in action of Pte. Clifford, who belonged to my platoon. On the night of January 20th I had orders to put up barbed wire along the front of my trench, and as this is rather risky work, I called for volunteers. Pte. Clifford and another man at once undertook it, and with myself and the Platoon Sergeant started on it. We had done about half the work when Pte Clifford was shot dead through the head, the shot coming through a loophole as he was standing in the trench. I inform you of this, as Clifford had volunteered for a particularly hazardous task, and in fact, although he had not been out here very long, the platoon soon found out his bravery and indifference to rifle fire. I considered him one of my best men, and his loss is a great one to the platoon. I take the unusual course of writing to his relatives, as I think his unusual gallantry warrants it, though I very much regret that the occasion should be necessary.”

The gallant young soldier’s father and one brother are in the Worcestershire Regiment, and another brother is in the Royal Field Artillery.

The following information is courtesy of Julie Ballinger:
Both Percy and William are my great uncles, my mum is a Clifford. My Granddad was Percy Albert John Clifford, born 9th January 1913. He would have been two when they died. He himself died not knowing where they were buried which caused him great sadness.

William Clifford has no known grave, the photograph available shows his name on Le Touret Memorial.