1885 - 1916
CPL David Wallace Crawford
1887 - 1916
Lce-Corpl John Joseph Nickle
1894 - 1916
Pte 17911 Morton Neill
1897 - 1916
Lieut Edward Stanley Ashcroft
1883 - 1918
Pte 48113 Oswald Cliffe
- Age: 28
- From: Liverpool
- Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 19th Btn
- K.I.A Wednesday 19th December 1917
- Commemorated at: Tyne Cot Memorial
Panel Ref: Panel 31-34
Oswald Cliffe was born on 15th May 1889 in Liverpool the son of Henry Horace and Maria Cliffe (nee Jones). His parents married on 17th October 1873 at Christ Church, Everton. Oswald was baptised on 29th May 1889 at St James the Less Church, Liverpool.
He was the 7th of 8 Children, his siblings were: Thomas (died aged 8), William, Alfred and Frederick (died aged 2), Edith, Bertha and Robert.
The 1891 Census shows the family living at 53 Mill Road, Everton. Oswald is two years of age and is living with his parents and five siblings. His father is a 38 year old coal dealer born in Birmingham, whilst his mother is also 38 and was born in Liverpool. His siblings are listed as; William J. a 14 year old errand boy, Alfred E. aged 12, Edith E. 10, Bertha 5 and new born Robert. All the children were born in Liverpool.
By the time of the 1901 Census the family have moved and are living at 20 Lance Street, Everton. Oswald is now 11 and is living with his parents and three siblings. His father's occupation is now recorded as a seaman. Oswald's siblings are listed as Edith a 19 year old domestic servant, Bertha 15 and Robert 10. Also recorded are Edward Eager a 24 year old bricksetter who is shown as a boarder and 60 year old Samuel Lethbridge a cotton porter.
The 1911 Census shows the family living at 58 Roscommon Street, Liverpool. Oswald then aged 21 is employed as a wood machinist for a cabinet maker. Both parents are resident at the property, his father now shown as a naval pensioner (reserve). His younger brother Robert is now 20 and a wood machinist turner. Also present is a lodger, Margaret Riley a 62 year old seamstress.
Oswald joined the 19th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 48113.
His death was reported in the Liverpool Express on 25th January 1918:
LIVERPOOL'S FALLEN HEROES
Pte. Oswald Cliffe K.L.R. aged 26 died on Dec. 19th, 1917 as result of accident, after 14 months service. He was wounded in April 1917. Previously he was employed Messrs. Duthie, Comus-st. His mother resides at 58 Roscommon-st., Everton.
Oswald's body was not recovered or was subsequently lost as he has no known grave and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial in Belgium.
Those United Kingdom and New Zealand servicemen who died after August 16th 1917 are named on the Tyne Cot Memorial, a site which marks the furthest point reached by Commonwealth forces in Belgium until nearly the end of the war.
The Tyne Cot Memorial now bears the names of almost 35,000 officers and men whose graves are not known. The memorial, designed by Sir Herbert Baker with sculpture by Joseph Armitage and F.V. Blundstone, was unveiled by Sir Gilbert Dyett on 20 June 1927.
The memorial forms the north-eastern boundary of Tyne Cot Cemetery, which was established around a captured German blockhouse or pill-box used as an advanced dressing station.
Soldiers Effects says he was accidentally killed.He was also reported as accidentally killed in the Liverpool Daily Post on 24th January 1918.
His effects were sent to his mother and his brother at 58 Roscommon Street, Liverpool.
We currently have no further information on Oswald Cliffe, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.
Killed On This Day.
(110 Years this day)Wednesday 19th April 1916.
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