Brigantian Posted 27 February , 2005 Share Posted 27 February , 2005 I am researching a Captain Edward Noel Clifton, RFC. He had earlier served as a 2nd Lt. in the 1st Battalion, Coldstream Guards from around 1 January 1915 to being wounded at La Bassie on 25 January 1915. Does any Pal have details of what the 1st Coldstream Guards were doing over this period and whether Clifton is mentioned in the War Diary or a Regimental History? Regards Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest March1918 Posted 28 February , 2005 Share Posted 28 February , 2005 Mark, From Ray Westlake's British Battalions January to June 1915 '1st Battalion January Beuvry. Part of 1st (Guards) Brigade, 1st Division. Moved to Annequin 1st and began tours in front line next day. To Cambrin 21st and took over trenches in Cuinchy sector 23rd. War Diary records 25th, that a German deserter gave information on an attack due that day. This came too late and the enemy having blown mines along the British line attacked at 7.30am and gained part of the Coldstream line. Casualties 202 killed, wounded or missing including Captain Hon. J.B. Campbell, DSO; Second-Lieutenants C.G. Mills, G.C. Armstrong, J.E. Rogers and H.N. Clifton who were killed or mortally wounded. Moved to Bethune 25th, Oblinghem 30th, Ecquedecques 31st' Initial H could be a transcription error. But I've always regarded mortally wounded as 'dead'. Another mystery to solve. The original War Diary is in WO 95/1263 at the National Archives. Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brigantian Posted 28 February , 2005 Author Share Posted 28 February , 2005 Peter Thanks for that – very helpful. I checked CWGC and a 2 Lt Harold Norton Clifton, 1st Bn Coldstream Guards died on 2 February 1915. The Additional Information field shows that he was the son of a William Edward Clifton. Captain Edward Clifton’s next of kin is given in his attestation papers as W. E. Clifton. It seems likely that Harold and Edward were brothers, an issue I was completely unaware of. Thanks again Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest March1918 Posted 28 February , 2005 Share Posted 28 February , 2005 A pleasure Mark. I hate stories with no endings. Glad its all come together. Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stiletto_33853 Posted 28 February , 2005 Share Posted 28 February , 2005 Mark, If they were brothers this will be of help to you. CLIFTON, Harold Norton 2nd Lieut., 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards Younger son of William Edward Clifton of 7 East India Avenue, London, E.C., Architect and Surveyor, and 12 Cambridge Square, Hyde Park, London, W., Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects and of the Surveyors Institution, by his wife, Isabel, daughter of the late James Nelson of Carlisle. Born 32 Ashley Gardens, Westminster 7th May 1894. Educated St. Peters Court, Broadstairs, and Harrow. Joined the Artists Rifles in 1913, and went with the corps to France in October 1914 as a Corporal, obtaining a commission in the Coldstream Guards on 1st January 1915. He was severely wounded at Cuinchy, near La Bassee on 25th January, and died of his wounds in a German Field Hospital on 1st February 1915 following and was buried at Billy Berciau, near La Bassee. Unmarried. At Harrow, 2nd Lieut. Clifton was in the Sixth Form, a School Monitor, Head of the House (Druries), a member of the Football eleven, Captain of the swimming and Middle Weight boxer for the School for two years, competing in the Public Schools Competition at Aldershot. He was also a member of the Richmond Football Club. Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brigantian Posted 28 February , 2005 Author Share Posted 28 February , 2005 Andy Thanks for that. It really pulls the strands together. Edward Noel Clifton worked as an architect in his father’s practice at 7 East India Avenue and his address on attestation was given as 12 Cambridge Square – clearly he and Harold were brothers. Interestingly, Edward joined the Artist Rifles on 25 November 1913, was embodied on 5 August 1914 and went to France on 28 October 1914. He was promoted Corporal on 26 September 1914 but reverted to private at his own request on 30 November 1914, about a month after arriving in France and a month before he was commissioned. Can anyone hazard a guess as to why he would revert to private? Also how common was it for two brothers to be commissioned into the same battalion on the same day? Regards Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stiletto_33853 Posted 28 February , 2005 Share Posted 28 February , 2005 Mark, Glad that it helped confirm things a little, sounds uncommon to me to have two brothers commissioned into the same battalion on the same day. The information supplied was from De Ruvigny's, Volume 1, Page 85, there is quite a clear photo of H.N. Norton in there. Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brigantian Posted 1 March , 2005 Author Share Posted 1 March , 2005 Andy Thanks for the De Ruvigny reference – I’ve looked it up and found the entry with his photograph. Regards Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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