CLIFTON, Harold Ernest
| Service Numbers: | 523, N102197 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 13 February 1915, Liverpool |
| Last Rank: | Lieutenant |
| Last Unit: | 17th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Boorowa, NSW, 2 February 1894 |
| Home Town: | Strathfield, Strathfield, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Sydney Schools |
| Occupation: | Bank Clerk / Grazier |
| Died: | Natural causes, Concord Repatriation General Hospital, New South Wales, Australia, 6 June 1976, aged 82 years |
| Cemetery: |
Northern Suburbs Memorial Gardens and Crematorium, NSW Cremated |
| Memorials: | Bank of New South Wales Roll of Honour Book |
World War 1 Service
| 13 Feb 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 523, 17th Infantry Battalion, Liverpool | |
|---|---|---|
| 29 Mar 1915: | Promoted AIF WW1, Sergeant, 17th Infantry Battalion | |
| 12 May 1915: | Embarked Sergeant, 523, 17th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Themistocles, Sydney | |
| 12 May 1915: | Involvement Sergeant, 523, 17th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '12' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Themistocles embarkation_ship_number: A32 public_note: '' | |
| 9 Apr 1916: | Involvement Sergeant, 523, 17th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '12' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Nestor embarkation_ship_number: A71 public_note: '' | |
| 9 Apr 1916: | Embarked Sergeant, 523, 17th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Nestor, Sydney | |
| 16 Aug 1916: | Promoted AIF WW1, Second Lieutenant, 17th Infantry Battalion | |
| 8 Mar 1917: | Promoted AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 17th Infantry Battalion | |
| 1 Jun 1917: | Honoured Mention in Dispatches | |
| 20 Sep 1917: | Wounded AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 17th Infantry Battalion, Third Ypres, GSW left leg | |
| 10 Mar 1918: | Embarked AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 17th Infantry Battalion, HT Durham Castle for invaliding to Australia - disembarking Sydney 12 May 1918 | |
| 18 Mar 1918: | Honoured Military Cross, Third Ypres, For gallantry, leadership and courage on 20 September 1917 during the attack on enemy positions near Anzac House at Westhoek when he led his platoon with conspicuous skill and bravery despite being wounded by a bullet from an enemy plane showing absolute disregard for his own safety. | |
| 16 Jun 1918: | Discharged AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 17th Infantry Battalion |
World War 2 Service
| 25 Oct 1942: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Lieutenant, N102197, Adamstown, NSW |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Faithe Jones
HAROLD ERNEST CLIFTON was born at Burrowa, N.S.W., on 2nd February, 1894, the son of Mr. J. H. and Mrs. E. J. Clifton. He was educated in Sydney schools and entered the Bank’s service on 14th May, 1911, being appointed to the Bathurst Street (Sydney) Branch. On 11th June, 1912, he was transferred to Ashfield; on 3rd March, 1913, to Surry Hills; and on 28th May, 1914, to Pitt Street (Sydney) Branch.
Enlisting on 13th February, 1915, with the 17th Infantry Battalion, he went to Gallipoli, and afterwards saw service in Egypt, France and Belgium over a period of three years.
Harold Clifton was promoted to lieutenant on the field. In 1916 he was mentioned in despatches by Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig. In 1917 he was awarded the Military Cross.
The London “Gazette” of 15th March, 1918, gives the following particulars of the brave conduct which won Lieutenant Clifton the Military Cross:—
"With reference to the award conferred as announced in the London ‘Gazette,’ dated 27th October, 1917, the following are the statements of service for which the decoration was conferred :—
Lieutenant Harold Ernest Clifton, M.C. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. This officer led his platoon with conspicuous skill and marked initiative, although wounded early in the attack. Despite his wound, he continued to lead his men, and inspired them with confidence—showing absolute disregard for his own personal safety."
source - Bank of NSW Roll of Honour
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