Clifton was born in East Harling, Norfolk in November 1887.  He was married to Mabel Burch and they had two children and lived at 2 Violet Villas, Devon Road, Walton.

 

He disembarked to France 16 August 1914 landing at Le Havre and was killed 8 days later, 24 August 1914, during the Battle of Mons, he was 26.  He was originally buried in Thulin New Cemetery but was moved to Cement House Cemetery, Langemark in 1954. He is buried in Plot 18 Row A, his headstone bears a cross.

 

On 24 August 1st Battalion the Norfolk Regiment fought various holding actions at Paturages, Frameries, and Audregnies. During the engagement at Audregnies, the 1st Battalions of the Cheshire and Norfolk Regiments temporarily checked the German advance from Quiévrain and Baisieux despite being outnumbered and suffered many losses, though, with the support of the 5th Brigade artillery, they also inflicted many casualties on the advancing German regiments. An evening roll-call of the Cheshires 1st Battalion, who had not received a withdrawal order, indicated that their establishment had been reduced by almost 80 percent.