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Auction: 17001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 198

A fine M.S.M. group of seven awarded to Hon. Major F. C. Clifton, Welsh Regiment, who was twice wounded in the Great War

1914 Star, with clasp (10138 Cpl. F. C. Clifton, 2/Welsh R.); British War and Victory Medals (10138 Sjt. F. C. Clifton, Welsh R.); Defence Medal 1939-45; Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 2nd issue (3948140 W.O. Cl. II F. C. Clifton, Welch R.); Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.VI.R., 3rd issue (3948140 W.O. Cl. 2 F. C. Clifton, Welch R.); Cadet Forces Long Service Medal, G.VI.R. (A./Major F. C. Clifton), number officially corrected on the M.S.M., the first three with minor contact wear and a little polished, otherwise generally very fine or better (7)

Frederick Charles Clifton was born at Plaistow, Essex, about 1891, and enlisted in the Welsh Regiment at Pontypridd in May 1909.

Embarked for France in the 2nd Battalion in mid-August 1914, he would have been present in the attack on Chemin des Dames on 14 September, when the Battalion suffered heavy casualties whilst advancing across the Chivy Valley. It was in the same action that one of his comrades, Lance-Corporal William Fuller, was awarded the V.C., for bringing in the mortally wounded Captain Haggard.

Clifton was subsequently wounded in the fighting at Gheluvelt in late October, taking a bullet in his left lung; so, too, in the course of 1915, by a gunshot in the right leg. As a consequence, he saw no further action and was employed as a P.T. and Drill Instructor on the home establishment.

Post-war, Clifton served in the 1st Battalion at Bareilly, India and gained advancement to Warrant Officer Class 2 in early 1925. Latterly employed as Orderly Room Q.M. Sergeant, he completed his service with the regiment in February 1934.

During the Second World War he helped raise and administer the Glamorgan Army Cadet Force, in which corps he was commissioned in April 1950, from the T.A. Reserve. He finally retired in December 1955, when he was granted the honorary rank of Major. According to his regimental obituary notice in Men of Harlech, 'his tall, soldierly figure (he stood over 6ft. in height) was as conspicuous on, as is it was off parade' and he was 'popular with all ranks.' He died in February 1962; sold with copied research.


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Estimate
£600 to £700