Thornett, Clifford Aubrey (Mike)

Age: 27
Date of birth: 1890

Parents: Hubert and Alice Thornett
Wife: Single
Address: 54 West Street

Occupation: Solicitor's clerk at Heath and Blenkinsop, New Street, Warwick

At the time of the 1891 census, the Thornett family were living at 3 Ranelagh Terrace, Leamington Spa. Hubert (Clifford’s father) was employed as an accountant and they had 3 sons: Lionel (9), Wilfred (7) and Clifford (6 months).

By the 1901 census, the family were living at 71 Tachbrook Road and had a servant. At that time, Clifford’s brother Wilfred was a solicitor’s clerk.

Clifford’s mother Alice died in 1905 and Hubert died in 1907. Lionel married in 1905 and had moved away, working as an organist.

By the 1911 census, Clifford and Wilfred, both now solicitor’s clerks, were boarding with Frances George Beech, a master butcher, at 61 West Street. The 1914 Spennell’s Trade Directory shows Clifford living at The Wheatsheaf at 54 West Street, with the landlord, Thomas Pease.

This newspaper clipping tells us that Mike as a ‘keen and successful footballer.’

Warwick Advertiser 25th May 1918

Military Service

Rank & Number: Sergeant, 1847
Regiment/Service: Motor Machine Gun Corps
Brigade/Division:
Date of death: Friday, April 12, 1918
Cause of death/Battle: Killed in action
Commemorated/Buried: Pemba Cemetery, Mozambique
Awards: British War Medal, Victory Medal
Commemorated locally at:

At the time of his death, Clifford (Mike) was attached to the Gold Coast Regiment, Royal West African Frontier Force.

Ian Shuter from South Warwickshire Family History Society writes:

‘The 12th April 1918, the day Clifford was killed, was the start of the Pursuit Through Mozambique, at that time known as Portuguese East Africa.  The British/African forces met the retreating German forces at Chirimba Hill where a day long battle took place on two small fronts. Clifford was killed during this action.’

Mike was gazetted on 3 Oct 1918, 6 months after died

Contributors

  • Unlocking Warwick Research Group
  • Warwick Advertiser excerpts courtesy of Warwickshire County Record Office
  • Details of death courtesy of Ian Shuter, South Warwickshire Family History Society

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