Previous Service – 18th Australian Light Horse Brigade
15/08/1914- Completed Medical Examination Bunbury WA
3/09/1914- Joined 11th Battalion Helena Vale WA as Private
22/09/1914- Appointed CORPORAL
11/10/1914- Appointed SERGEANT
26/11/1914- To Overseas Training Base Egypt from Australia
2/03/1915- Embarked Alexandria Egypt with Mediterranean Expeditionary Forces bound for Gallipoli Peninsula
9/05/1915- Admitted 3rd Field Ambulance Gallipoli ( Otitis )
14/05/1915- Discharged to Duty Gallipoli
17/10/1915- Promoted COMPANY SERGEANT in the field Gallipoli
7/01/1916- Disembarked Alexandria Egypt ex Gallipoli Peninsula
17/01/1916- Promoted Temporary COMPANY SERGEANT MAJOR at Tel-el-Kebir Egypt
29/02/1916- Transferred 51st Battalion Serapeum Egypt
4/03/1916- To Instructional School Zeitoun Egypt
17/03/1916- Promoted SECOND LIEUTENANT Ismailia Egypt & Rejoined Battalion ex School
12/06/1916- Disembarked Marseilles France ex Alexandria Egypt
18/08/1916- Promoted LIEUTENANT in the field France
3/09/1916- Reported Missing in Action France
3/09/1916- Confirmed KILLED in ACTION France ( Confirmed by fellow Officers who had been taken as Prisoners of War – see details below )
Confirmation of Death – Statement by E. Christie, Lieut. Col. Commanding 51st Battalion, A.I.F ” This Officer was killed during the attack on Mouquet Farm on the morning of 3 September 1916. This attack was unsuccessful and we were forced back after suffering enormous casualties, on to our old line. As this was the case it cannot be definitely stated if he was buried. All men who fell in this action would have been killed in and around the Farm. A Battalion Cross was erected in memory of Officers, NCO’s and men who fell in this action. ( See file of the late 2 Lieut. Campbell, D.G., 51st Battalion for location ).
The following officers also made statements from their captivity in German Prisoner of War Camps, that they had seen Lieut. Clifford shot through the head and died immediately in action at Mouquet Farm on 3 September, 1916.
Edwards, S – CQMS – 2364 – 51st Battalion- Statement dated 6 February 1917
Halvorsen – 2 Lieut – 51st Battalion – Statement dated 10 February 1917.
AWARDED MILITARY CROSS
24 August 1916 – Recommendation by Major General H. V. COX, Commanding 4th Australian Division – ” For gallantry and devotion to duty near Mouquet Farm between 13th and 16th August 1916. He led his Platoon with great dash and skill in an attack on the night of 14th August. When all the other Officers of his Company were wounded , he took charge of the Company and handled it with conspicuous coolness during 15th – 16th August during periods of heavy enemy shelling. When being relieved he organized a party and stayed in to see his wounded brought away under heavy fire. Previously brought to notice for bravery and power of command in June 1916 near Petillon “.
Commonwealth of Australia Gazette – 19 April 1917 – Page 921, Position 1
London Gazette – 14 November, 1916 – Page 11073, Position 7.
SERVICE MEDALS AWARDED
Military Cross
1914/15 Star – No. 2567
British War Medal – No. 5197
Victory Medal – No. 5195
Memorial Plaque & Scroll – No. 355871
MEMORIAL INSCRIPTIONS
Villers – Brettoneux Memorial, France
Australian War Memorial Canberra ACT – Panel No. 152
Donnybrook War Memorial WA