Charles's Story.
Birkenhead News 17 March 1917
New Ferry Brothers
One Killed, the other Wounded
Mrs Cliffe, who resides at 12, Manley Place, New Ferry, has received the sad news through a comrade of her son’s, that her fourth son, Private Charles Edward Cliffe, of the Cheshire Regiment, was killed in action some three weeks ago. She has not had the official notice yet, but has received numerous letters from her son’s “pals” expressing their deepest sympathy with her. In one letter a chum writes :- “You will be sorry to learn of Charles’ death, which took place whilst he was returning from a successful attack upon the German trenches, where he had been doing good work with the cold steel, for he left many dead Germans in his path and had done some very fine work before he went under. On their return from enemy lines Charlie was shot through the head by a German sniper and died almost immediately.”
Private Cliffe was a very well-known young fellow in the south end of the borough, where he had resided all his life. He was educated at St Mark’s School, and was also a highly respected member of the Bible Class connected with the church. He was 27 years of age and had been employed at Messrs. Price’s Candle Works, at Bromborough Pool, for many years. At the outbreak of war he with a great many of his fellow workers enlisted in the “Wirral Pals,” then being formed, and after some time training was drafted to the front. He took part in many fights of a fierce nature, and was invalided home with trench fever. He was promoted on the field for good work, but after being home for some time he was drafted to another battalion of the Cheshire Regiment, and went out as a private.
His brother, John was also a member of the same regiment and had been twice wounded. He is at present recuperating in England. Previous to enlisting he was employed at Port Sunlight. Their sister’s husband, Sergt. Goodyer, was also a member of the same regiment and he was killed in action some months ago, leaving a wife and six children to mourn his loss.