Enoch's Story.
An E. Cliffe is named on Weaverham St. Mary’s “Roll of Honour.” (Is it Cliffe or Cliff? Cliff.)
There is an Enoch Cliff, Cliff without the “e,” (another document with his wife’s name is Edith Cliffe!) listed in the WW1 Service Documents, this lad was from Birch Bank, Cuddington. Enoch was 29 when he enlisted on the 10th Dec. 1915, at what looks like Liverpool. Enoch was born 1886. (Freebmd records the birth of an Enoch Cliff in June Q. of 1886 at Liverpool. The only Enoch Cliff and no Enoch Cliffe.) His physical development is stated as good. He was 5ft 3in tall, girth (chest) of 34in and his weight was 115lbs. His trade is recorded as gardener. Enoch’s next of kin is his wife Edith Cliff, nee Newall. They had married at the Wesleyan Chapel in Northwich on the 6th Jan. 1909. (Cheshirebmd records the marriage of an Edith Nowell (not Newall) in 1909, Northwich, and the birth of an Edith Nowell in 1886, Weaverham.) They had three children, Edith, James Enoch and Cyril Arthur.
(Freebmd records the birth James E. Cliff in 1911 Nantwich, Cyril A. Cliff in 1913, Northwich Cheshirebmd records the birth of Cyril in the Weaverham District. Freebmd records the birth of several girls named Edith Cliff prior to the addition of the mothers maiden name, including an Edith Cliff born in Runcorn in 1909.)
On attested, Enoch was put in Army Reserve, mobilized on the 30th May 1916 and attached to the the R.G.A. (Royal Garrison Artillery) as a gunner. Enoch may have had the Regimental No 102890 when a gunner with the R.G.A. as this number appears on one of the documents. Enoch was at “Home” in the UK, on reserve from the 10th Dec. 1915, mobilized on or about the 10th June 1916, posted to France on the 30th Sept 1916. Enoch transferred to the Royal Engineers as a sapper on the 13th July 1917, eventually being appointed L/Cpl on the 10th May 1919. Enoch had been allowed leave from the 14th Nov. 1917 till 28th Nov. 1917.
Enoch appears to have been placed in Army Reserve on the 2nd Feb. 1919 but was still under Army control as he trained and gained a Certificate in Support of Grant of “Skilled” Rate of Engineer Pay on the 23rd April 1919.
“I Certify that No 232986 (252986) Sapper Cliff E. of “L” Signal Battalion successfully executed work on 15.4.19 which in my opinion is equivalent to the test laid down in A.F.B. 171 for “SKILLED” rate of Engineer Pay as a Permanent (Lineman ?) granted him on that date.”
Enoch’s home address on demobilisation is recorded as Church St. Cuddington.
The 1891 census records an Enoch Cliff born in Liverpool, the 1911 census records Enoch being married and they lived at Walleys Green, Minshall Vernon. Enoch Hd. 25 Gardner Domestic born Liverpool, Edith W. 24, born Cuddington; Edith D. 1 born Kingsley.
There was a military link which takes you through to his service with the R.G.A. It details the date of marriage at Cuddington in 1909 and the birth of two children, James Enoch Cliff and Cyril Arthur Cliff.
N.A.M.C. - there is a medal card for a Cliff Gnoch (Enoch Cliff) with the R.G.A. Reg’t. No 102890, Gnr. There is reference to the Royal Engineers and the Reg’t. No 252986, Gunner. He was awarded the British and Victory medals. Theatre of War and Date of Entry not addressed. (There are no medal cards for an Enoch Cliffe but there are 10 medal cards for lads using the “E” initial but in all cases this is a second name initial.)
The 1921 census records Enoch and family, Edith, wife, Edith daughter, aged 12 and James, aged 9 and Cyril, aged 8, living at Llangattock Manor, Monmouth, Enoch is working as gardener.
Research Bob H.