A Great War 1918 ‘Somme’ M.M. group of four awarded Sergeant J. N. Clifton, 112th Howitzer Battery, Australian Field Artillery, Australian Imperial Force

Military Medal, G.V.R. (4358 Sjt: J. N. Clifton. 12/A. Bde: Aust: F.A.); 1914-15 Star (4358 Pte. J. N. Clifton. 3/... A.I.F.) attempt to obliterate unit; British War Medal 1914-20 (4358 Sjt. J. N. Clifton 3 G. Hosp A.I.F.); Victory Medal 1914-19 (4358 Sgt. J. N. Clifton 3 A.G.H. A.I.F.) generally very fine (4) £700-900

M.M. London Gazette 21 October 1918. A recommendation appears in the Battery War Diary for 13 June 1918:

‘On the night of 12/13 the 112th Howitzer Battery when carrying out the usual nightly shoot had a premature, which unfortunately wounded three men, two of whom eventually died, No. 3563 Gnr. Law J.P. and No. 842 Bdr. McCormack J. The battery was being shelled at the time and for conspicuous bravery in attending the wounded No. 4358 Sgt.Clifton J. N. and No.2387 Gnr. Lambert R.,were recommended for D.C.M. and M.M. respectively. The usual harassing fire was carried out; also all batteries checked their registrations. Enemy still fairly quiet; a few shells have fallen near battery positions but it appears to be an area shoot only. Flanders grippe dying out very small percentage now affected.’

James Newton Clifton was born in Narrandera, New South Wales, Australia, in 1890. He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force, 25 April 1914. Clifton initially served on the strength of the 3rd Australian Field Ambulance, and embarked for Gallipoli in R.M.S. Mooltan, 15 May 1915. He was evacuated to the UK with Enteric Fever, 10 October 1915. Having recovered, Clifton transferred to the 12th (Army) Brigade Australian Field Artillery 26 October 1916, and served with the 112th Howitzer Battery in France from March 1917.

Clifton advanced to Sergeant in December 1917, and was awarded his M.M. for gallantry during operations on the Somme, 13 June 1918. He received a gunshot wound to the right thigh, 4 July 1918, and returned to Australia in S.S. Suevic. Clifton was discharged 21 June 1919.