| Description | Work completed by volunteer includes the following information:
Clifford Ernest Smallwood was born in Halifax, Yorkshire on 9 Nov 1893, the son of Lewis Edward and Mary Alice Smallwood. The family moved from Halifax to Beverley and in 1901 Lewis is a boot shopkeeper in Toll Gavel. In 1911 Clifford aged 17, was working as a bootmaker.
Clifford's Medal Rolls show he served with the East Yorkshire Regiment, 13th Battalion, the 4th 'Hull Pals' Battalion, known as "T'Others", he embarked for Egypt on 29 Dec 1915 to defend the Suez Canal. In Mar 1916 the Division left Port Said bound for Marseilles in France. Clifford was transferred to the East Yorkshire Regiment Machine Gun Corps. He was awarded the British, Victory and 15 Star Medals.
Clifford was demobilised on 7 Mar 1919, but was posted to Class Z Army Reserve, this meant he returned to civilian life but with an obligation to return if called upon. The Z Reserve was abolished on 31 Mar 1920.
Clifford married Mary Boag in Jul 1922, they had four children all born in Beverley. Cliffords father died in 1932 but Clifford carried on working as a bootmaker from 59 Toll Gavel. he died in Jun 1973 aged 79.
Includes photograph, information taken from census, military records, Commonwealth War Graves, newspapers |