Harold Clifton died of wounds on this day in 1915
Harold was born on 7 May 1894 in Ashley Gardens, Westminster. He was the son of William Edward Clifton (architect and surveyor) and Isabel Clifton (née Nelson) from Carlisle, living at 7, East India Avenue, London.
In 1901 at age 6, he can be found on the census records living with his parents, a 1 year old sister and four domestic servants in Cambridge Square, London. Harold was first educated St Peter’s Court, Broadstairs, Paddington.
Ten years later, at the 1911 Census, Harold now 16, is listed as 'boarder' in The Druries (House), at Harrow School where there was a housemaster, his wife, plus 44 boys in their mid-teens as well as a butler, footman, cook, matron and eight maids.
At Harrow, Harold was a school monitor and head of house, a member of the football eleven and captain of the swimming team. In addition he was a 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.
He joined the Artists’ Rifles in 1913, and went with the regiment to France in October 1914 as a Corporal, obtaining a commission in the Coldstream Guards on 1 January 1915.
Harold was severely wounded at Cuinchy, near La Bassée, 25 January 1915 and died of his wounds in a German field hospital on 1 February 1915 and was buried at Billy Berclau, near La Bassée.
After the war his grave was concentrated into the large Cabaret Rouge British Cemetery at Souchez.
2nd Lieut. Harold Norton Clifton, 1st Bn Coldstream Guards