Clifford Lee Glover

Rank:Lieutenant
Ship/Rgn/Sqn No:48 Sqn
Name of Rgt or Ship:Royal Air Force
Died:15/05/1918Age:25
How Died:Killed in Action
Country of burial:France
Cemetery or Memorial:Arras Flying Services Memorial
Town Memorial:Stretford
Extra Information:
Born during the March quarter 1893 in the Runcorn R.D. - ref: 8a/209, the
eldest son of Joseph William Hartley & Martha Ann Glover (nee Thomas).

1901 Census - 97, Glenthorn Road, Jesmond, Northumberland.   Son - aged: 8
- born: Runcorn, Cheshire.     Head of household - Joseph Glover - Married
- aged: 31 - occ: Contractor's Cashire - born: Runcorn.   Also - Martha A.
Glover - Wife - aged: 32 - born: Runcorn.   Plus 1 younger sister.

1911 Census - 26 Thomas Street, Stretford.   Son - aged: 18 - occ: Junior
Clerk - born: Runcorn.    Head of household - Joseph Glover - Married -
aged: 41 - occ: Contractor's Cashire - born: Runcorn.   Also - Martha A.
Glover - Wife - aged: 42 - born: Runcorn.   Plus 2 younger siblings.

Enlisted in the Cheshire Rgt - Corporal - No. 1505.   Drafted to France on
the 14th February 1915.   The 1/5th Bn (Earl of Chester's) Battalion was
formed on the 4th August 1914 at the Drill Hall, Volunteer Street, Chester.
 They landed at Havre on the 15th February 1915  and became part of the
14th Brigade, 5th Division.  Ray Westlake's "British Battalions Western
Front Jan - June 1915" records:- that on the 14th February the Battalion
moved by train to Southampton where they embarked on the S.S. Oxonian,
landing at Havre the next day.  Moved to Bailluel on (17/02), to Neuve
Eglise on (19/02) and bagan instruction in forward trenches near Messines. 
Two companies moved to front line trenches at Locre, the other two to the
trenches at Kammel.  The Battalion HQ was at Au Rossignol Estimeminet. 
Relieved on 05/04) and to camp near Dickebusch.   To Ypres on (07/04) and
carried out tours in trenches at Oosthoekand the support line at Spoilbank.
 Relieved on (12/05) and to Dickbusch.  Moved to Boeschepe on (24/05) and
back to Dickbusch on (31/05), then to Ouderdom on (01/06) where they took
over the trenches at Oosthoek.   Relieved and to Dickbusch on (17/06).

Transferred to the R.F.C. on the 26th June 1917 - No. 240137.  
Commissioned Lieutenant on the 1st April 1918.

48 Squadron was formed at Netheravon on the 15th April 1916 and was posted
to France on the 8th March 1917.  On the 8th June 1916 the Sqn moved to
Rendcomb and was the first unit equipped with the Bristol F.2a in March
1917.   They moved to La Bellevue on the 8th March and was issued with
Bristol F2b a/c in May.   Then moved to Bray-Dunes on the 10th July, to
Leffrinckhocke on the 15th September and to Flez on the 22nd December 1917.
 They moved to Champien on the 22nd March 1918, Bertangles on the 24th, and
Conteville on the 28th.  Clifford's final move with this Squadron was to
Bertangles on the 3rd April 1918.

There was a German attack on a mile wide frontsouth-west of Morlancourt
(south of Albert, Somme) on the 14th May 1918.  The Australians
counter-attacked.   Perhaps Clifford was involved in that encounter?

Bertangles is a few miles to the north of Amiens which is directly west of
the Somme Battlefields.  Between March & August 1918, the Australian Corps
Headquarters was in the Château de Bertangles.  Clifford would have been
around when Baron Manfred Von Richthofen, "The Red Baron" was shot down and
killed on the 21st April and was initially buried in the Bertrangles
Communal Cemetery.

He may even have attended Von Richthofen's funeral the following day as
Allied squadrons stationed nearby presented memorial wreaths, one of which
was inscribed with the words, "To Our Gallant and Worthy Foe".

His RAF record states that his mother resided at 26 Thomas Street, Gorse
Hill, Stretford. According to the CWGC records, it would appear that his
family moved to 2 Ravenswood Road, Stretford by 1919.

Awarded the Victory Medal, the BWM and the 1915 Star.

A memorial Service was held on the 10th November 1919 - presumably at St.
Peter's Parish Church ?    The order of service contains a photograph of
him.

Memorials found on:
St. Peter's (Gorse Hill)
Gorse Hill School
Stretford Borough Memorial Book
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