Walter Rees Clifford

Walter Rees Clifford was the son of Deputy Surgeon-General F M Clifford, of the Indian Medical Service. He was commissioned in the Cheshire Regiment on 7 February 1885. He saw active service in the Burmese Expedition (1889) and in the South African War (1900–2), in which he served on the Staff. Clifford was made CO 2nd Battalion Cheshire Regiment in September 1908 at the comparatively early age of 42, enjoying a standard four-year tour. He was rescued from half-pay, the common fate of many officers on promotion to full colonel, by his appointment as Commander of the Middlesex Infantry Brigade, part of the new Territorial Force in December 1912.

He remained in command until the end of October 1914, when he transferred to 201st (2/1 Middlesex) Brigade. Both these formations were based in England. But on 22 February 1915 Rees took command of 138th (Lincoln and Leicester) Brigade, 46th (North Midland) Division.

46th Division completed its concentration on the Western Front in March 1915. Its early duties were confined to training and trench holding, though it did suffer the first German flame-thrower attack at Hooge near the end of July. Clifford was replaced a month later and sent home, where found himself once more on half-pay. He later commanded the Northumbrian Reserve Brigade and retired from the army on 25 July 1918.