Description
Queen’s South Africa, no bar, 3966 Corporal S. Clifford, 4th Militia Bn, Gloucester Regiment, who saw service on St Helena guarding Boer Prisoners of War.
Officially impressed: “3966 Cpl S. Clifford. Gloucester: Regt”
Confirmed on the medal roll.
Roll notes he arrived along with most of the regiment “Arrival at St Helena: 21.4.1900”
If you want to read a detailed article about their service in the Boer War, an article on their service at Deadwood Camp, St Helena was published by the Soldiers of Gloucestershire Museum:
https://soldiersofglos.com/announcement/regulars-and-volunteers-in-the-boer-war/
https://sainthelenaisland.info/boerprisoners.htm
In short, the 4th Battalion aka the Royal North Gloucestershire Regiment of Militia, were amongst many eager Militia units who volunteered for overseas service, but rather than being sent to the front in South Africa, they were instead posted to the Island of St Helena, which housed a Prisoner of War Camp.
Of note during their time there, one of the new arrivals as they got there was General Piet Cronje, who was recently captured at Paardeberg with his wife and was allowed to live in a house called “Kent Cottage”.
Samuel James Clifford, was born in the parish of St Pauls in Cheltenham, Gloucester on 12th August 1881.
A 10 year old Samuel was tried in Chelthenham Police Court for letting off fireworks, the Gloucter Echo recalls on 29th October 1891:
“FIREWORKS – Alfred Mott (13) and Samuel Clifford (10) were summoned for letting off fireworks in the Tewkesbury Road on the 24th inst – PC Brotherton proved the case, saying that one of the fireworks was thrown into the doorway of a shop. – The lads were cautioned, and allowed to go on payment of a fine of 1s.”
As a young man of 17 years old, he joined the local Militia, the 4th Bn Gloucestershire Regiment on 14th December 1897.
Embodied for active service on 11th January 1900.
Appointed Lance Corporal on 11th January 1901, followed by Corporal on 11th march 1901.
Upon returning home he was disembodied on 27th July 1901, later being discharged at the end of his contract on 13th December 1903.
He would soon after sign on again, rejoining the 4th Bn Glosters on 24th June 1904, seeing another 4 years term until 23rd June 1908.
During his civilian life he lived in Cheltenham working as a Fireman, marrying his wife Eleanor and having children.
As you might expect from a long serving soldier and former Boer War volunteer, he attempted to serve his country in World War 1.
Enlisting early into the war with the Gloucester Regiment on 2nd December 1914. However as soon as he was in, he was discharged, leaving the army on 8th December 1914, having been assessed by the Doctors and found to be “Discharged, not likely to become an efficient soldier.”
He later died in Cheltenham on 8th October 1926.
