William "Billy" Clifford (1878-1917) was born in Brampton, Ontario, Canada and died in battle over France in the First World War.

• He was a carpenter by trade.
• William was a talented marksman.
• In 1910 he was a member of the MacKinnon Cup winning team.
• In 1910 and 1911 he was a member of the Canadian Bisley team
• Bisley Prize History BBC Video
• In 1911 William was the first Canadian to win both the Bisley King and Prince of Wales prizes.
• William enlisted in the Canadian military on 12 November 1914. He was 36 years old. He was married to Winnifred at the time of enlistment.
• At enlistment his rank was Quarter-Master Seargent in the Canadian Infantry, 4th Infantry Brigade, HQ Company.
• He arrived in England on 22 May 1915 and embarked for France 14 September, 1915.
• William suggested a change of rilfe for the Canadian Infantry. He suggested switching to the Lee-Enfield rifle which was used by British soldiers instead of the Ross rifle that Canadian Infantry were using in the trenches of the Western Front, claiming that the Ross rifle was ineffective.
• William was discharged from service on 8 April 1916, due to his dispute with Sir Charles Ross, the rifle inventor and Sir Sam Hughes, the Minister of Militia and Defense.
• William transfered to the Royal Flying Corps with rank of Second Lieutenant.
• On 25 April, 1917 William did not return from his mission over France. His remains were never found.
• He is commemorated on the Flying Services Mémorial in Arras, France, along with others who died in the War.

Sources

• Canadian Great War Project

Notes

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