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Mark Hifle noticed noticed that his medals were issued 19 August 1938 and the address was 11 Dean Street, Cork. The Irish poet, playwright Sigerson Clifford (christened Edward Bernard Clifford) was born 11 Dean St, Cork in 1913 and his parents were Michael Clifford and Mary Anne Sigerson, from Cahersiveen, County Kerry. His father Michael Clifford had served in the British Army.
His family dispute that he was ever in the British Army The Michael Clifford that you refer to is NOT my grandfather. The address 11 Dean St Cork may have led you astray as he did live there for a while but returned to Cahirsiveen not long after. Not only did he not join the BA he did join Sinn Fein during the Troubles to do his 'bit', as it were.
To solve this I need to ascertain who was living in 11 Dean St Cork in 1938 to determine who Michael Clifford was
1887 Born Cahersiveen, County Kerry,
Married Mary Anne Sigerson
1911 census at South Main St Cork
1917 Jun 1. Landed in France. Recruiting for the 327th Quarrying Company ceased on 1 June 1917 and the Company proceeded overseas on that date. . All details of the Company were sent to Roads Depot, Salamanca Barracks, Aldershot. The Company was made up of Skilled Quarrymen but also included specialist trades within the Sapper establishment of 228. Steam Engine Drivers 16, Internal Combustion Engine Drivers 4, Bootmakers 2, Carpenters & Joiners 2, Gas fitters and Plumbers 2, Masons 2, Platelayer 2, Quarrymen 197, Smiths 4, Tailor 1, Tinsmith 1 (his occupation in 1911 Irish Census is Tailor (fathers occupation was also Tailor)
The Company, after landing in France , proceeded to the Beaulieu (Galtier’s Quarry) Marqise/Rinxente quarry complex in Pas de Calais working Limestone. The task of these companies was the operation of quarries producing road metal primarily for the construction of roads and ballast for railway tracks. The work of the quarry companies was augmented by skilled French labour and local civilian labour as well as Army Troops Companies of the Royal Engineers and R.E. Labour Battalions.
1918 Mar. He was WR 29840 Sapper Michael Clifford, 327th Quarry Company, Royal Engineers. A 5 digit WR/ prefixed number was issued to the men serving with the Road Construction/Quarrying Companies of the Royal Engineers Transportation Branch, and Quarry Companies had the number block between WR275xx and WR307xx, which would place him in a Quarry Company, Royal Engineers. His disembarkation date in France 1 June 1917 would place him in the 327th Quarry Company, Royal Engineers, an Irish Company and enlistment was voluntary.
The Quarry Company men remained in France after the Armistice, as the Quarrying Companies were needed to assist the French and Belgians with the rebuilding of their roads and because these units had been formed late in the war, the men had to wait for demobilization until those who had been called up before them were discharged.
1919 Nov. He re enlisted as no.103391 Private Michael Clifford, 1st Battalion The King's (Liverpool Regiment)
920 the 1st Battalion The King's (Liverpool Regiment) deployed to Bantry, County Cork. They had a good local reputation in their treatment of prisoners, compared to other regiments, and this is thought to have saved some of the lives of its soldiers.
1920 Aug 12. Missing Bantry
1938 Aug 19. Medals issued to 11 Dean St, Cork.
1939 Jan/Mar Died at Cahersiveen.
