Richard James's Story.
Richard was the second son of Henry and Mary Elizabeth Clephan, Henry and Mary were both born in Liverpool, by 1901 they lived at 13 Sycamore road, Birkenhead, the 1911 census show the family living at 84, Whitford road, Birkenhead, they had seven children.
The 1911 CENSUS shows Harold age 18 Apprentice Carver/Gilder, Richard James age 17 Commercial Clerk (provisions merchant) Annie Rosina age 16,William Henry age 13,Phyllis Mary age 11,Thomas age 8,Frank Herbert age 3
Richard’s name doesn’t appear in soldiers died; however his medal index card shows that he went to France on the 24th February 1915, arriving in Le Havre on the 25th. The 1/6th first major action took place on the 5th May 1915 when the Germans attacked Hill 60 during the second battle of Ypres, poison gas was used during the preliminary attack by the Germans facilitating the successful assault.
The Birkenhead News, Saturday, April 21, 1917.
A Discharged Soldier Passes Away.
Ex-Private R. J. Clephan
Mr and Mrs. H Clephan, 84, Whitford Road, have been bereaved of their son, Mr. Richard J Clephan, who passed away on Monday after a long and painful illness.
The young man was at one time attached to the King’s Liverpool Regiment, which he joined in May 1914. In February 1915, he went to France and saw the terrific fighting round Hill 60 and Ypres. He was invalided home in May 1915, as he was said to have been “gassed.” Nothing daunted, he again volunteered for service in November of the same year. However, he was taken ill while in Rouen, and was sent home for Christmas 1915. He was invalided out of the army in July 1916. After this he spent three months in the Royal Infirmary, Liverpool, where he underwent special treatment. Later he was sent to the Sanatorium at Grange-over-Sands, where he stayed for four months. He came home a week last Tuesday but passed away three after his return.
He was an old boy of Claughton Higher Grade School and well known in the Birkenhead Y.M.C.A. A splendid footballer, he played for Dingle and St. Michael’s. In civil life the deceased was employed by Mr. J.J. Lonsdale, of Liverpool. Always of a bright cheery disposition, he won many friends.
In an appreciation of this gallant soldier by a chum who had fought and bled by his side the writer says: “Often in Flanders, he, Frank G and I talked of a firm friendship to hold us together after the war. Now he has gone I am lame, and the third may never reach home. Dick was a fearless soldier – not only faithfully performing his duties, but eager to volunteer for any dangerous enterprise. His conduct was clean, and his thoughts were noble. Dick lived a beautiful life. The pity that such men must die; the grandeur that such men are willing to die.”
Mr. and Mrs. Clephan have the sympathy of all in the death - for his country and their son.
The 1/6th served on the Western Front for the duration of the war. Richard died from illness, Phthisis (tuberculosis) locally on the 16th April 1917 and is buried in Bebbington Cemetery.
