Walter Clifford

Walter Clifford was born in Bramcote, Nottinghamshire, on 4th July, 1862. Little is known of his early life but he appeared on the 1891 Census for Bramcote as a 'Cotton Warper' and was by then married to Agnes Abbot Clifford (nee Beedon), and had one son, Edward. (b. 27th January, 1890).His second son, Arthur Bernard, was born on 13th July 1894 and the family were then living in Dodworth, Yorkshire where, according to family stories, Walter's elder brother John had secured him a job at the Strafford Colliery. The 1901 Census records Walter as an 'Electric Signal Fitter' and his brother John as 'Engine Man Below Ground'

The family were still living in Dodworth when Walter's third child, Mabel Annie (b. 18th March 1904) was born.

How Walter became involved in Mines Rescue is unclear but it is assumed that he volunteered to join the service when the then new joint rescue station at Tankersley was created. The Tankersley team, along with another team from Altofts, were called to the underground fire disaster at the Hamstead Colliery in March 1908. Sadly the fire was too fierce and no lives were saved despite the valiant efforts of all the rescue teams in attendance. On 21st July 1908 Walter received, from His Majesty the King, an Edward Medal (1st Class) for his endeavours. The award was made at an investiture at Buckingham Palace. The Colliery Guardian reported "the longest and most detailed account laid before the King by Mr Gladstone had reference to the pluck displayed on the occasion of the Hamstead Colliery fire by James Hopwood, James Wittingham, James Cranswick, John Henry Thorne, Walter Clifford and Joseph Outram. It may be mentioned that Mrs Welsby, whose husband lost his life at Hamstead, is to receive the Edward Medal." It is interesting to note that, in the history of the Edward Medal, only 77 1st class, or Silver awards have been made, 5 of them to members of the teams involved at Hamstead.

In January 1910 Walter succeeded Sgt Arthur Thomas Winborn as Superintendent of the Tankersley Rescue Station just after Winborn left to take control of the new mines rescue station in Crumlin (Wales).