Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Thomas Bird Clifford a grazier of 14 acres, born 1851 in Houghton on the Hill, Leicestershire and his wife Elizabeth Clifford (nee Bramley, married in the 4th quarter of 1875 in the Billesdon, Leicestershire district), born 1851 in Narborough, Leicestershire, and who was the daughter of William and Mary Ann Bramley. Claude William was born on the 7th November 1875 in Houghton on the Hill, and was baptised on the 6th February 1876 in St. Catharines Church, Houghton on the Hill, his siblings were, Mary Elizabeth, born 1877 and Thomas Oswald, born 1879, both his siblings were born in Houghton on the Hill, in April 1881 the family were residing at Houghton on the Hill, in the family home of his widowed paternal Grandmother Jane Clifford, of independent means, born 1810 in Houghton on the Hill. In the 4th quarter of 1885 in the Billesdon, Leicestershire district, Claude’s father died aged 34. In April 1891 Claude was a schoolboy and was residing in the family home at Main Street, Houghton on the Hill, together with his mother Elizabeth Fielding (formerly Clifford, married on the 17th May 1887 in the Billesdon, Leicestershire district), and step father, Thomas Fielding a farmer and butcher, born 1845 in Houghton on the Hill, and his siblings, Mary, a schoolgirl, Thomas, a schoolboy, Kathleen Jane, a schoolgirl, born 1883 and Ida Evelyn, a schoolgirl, born 1886, the latter two siblings were both born in Houghton on the Hill, also residing in the family home was his, half blood sibling John Thomas Fielding, assisting in the family business, born 1873 and step siblings, Arthur Edward Fielding, assisting in the family business, born 1874, George Sydney Fielding, a schoolboy, born 1876, William Ernest Fielding, a schoolboy, born 1877, Elizabeth Margaretta Fielding, a schoolgirl, born 1880, Herbert Henry Fielding, a schoolboy, born 1883 and Marion Louise Fielding, a schoolgirl, born 1885, the latter seven siblings were all born in Houghton on the Hill, also his half blood siblings, Charles Gordon Fielding, born 1888 and Andrew Leonard Fielding, born in the 1st quarter of 1890, the latter two half blood siblings were both born in Houghton on the Hill. On the 24th December 1897 in the Billesdon, Leicestershire district, Claude’s mother died aged 47. In March 1901 Claude was no longer residing in the family home at 32, Main Street, Houghton on the Hill, residing there was his widowed step father, a farmer and butcher, and his step siblings, John, a farmer, Arthur, a butcher, Sydney, a farmer, Francis Frederick, a carpenter and joiner, born 1879 in Houghton on the Hill, Elizabeth, Henry, Marion and his half blood siblings, Charles, a schoolboy, Leonard, a schoolboy and Henrietta Maud, a schoolgirl, born 1893 in Houghton on the Hill, Claude was employed as a carpenter and was residing in the family home at 23, Main Street, Houghton on the Hill, together with his siblings, Mary, a housekeeper, Kathleen, and Evelyn. In April 1911 Claude was employed as a carpenter and joiner and was residing in the family home at Newcombe Street, Market Harborough, Leicestershire together with his wife, Susan Ann Clifford (nee Ward, married on the 15th September 1906 in St. Catharines Church, Houghton on the Hill, Leicestershire), born 1882 in Illston on the Hill, Leicestershire, and their children, Thomas William, born 1907 and baptised on the 3rd November 1907 and Frank, born 1909, and baptised on the 10th October 1909, both children were born in Little Bowden, Northamptonshire. His half brother, Andrew Leonard Fielding fell in action on the same day.
Claude enlisted in the Royal Engineers on the 9th November 1916, subsequently transferring to the Nottinghamshire and Derby Regiment, serving with them in the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders from the 28th September 1917 until he was killed in action at Bernes on the 22nd March 1918, being buried at Vendells.
The War Diary records: 22 Mar-18 – VILLECHOLLES. Enemy renewed attacks on VILLECHOLLES at 8.00am today under cover of the mist pushed forward from MAISSEMY down the side of river and marsh until held up by the trenches we were occupying. A heavy barrage was put down by enemy on VILLECHOLLES and VERMAND. Enemy was held up by No.1 and No.2 of our Companies until upon, when owing to Companies being outflanked and enfiladed were forced to retire South of VERMAND. No.3 Company at LE VERGUIER attached to the 75th Infantry Brigade occupied and defended LE VERGUIER switch, after heavy bombardment was ordered to withdraw by the Brigadier. Headquarters and No.3 Companies concentrated at ST. BRIE. Weather bright and clear.
On Friday April 26th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “HOUGHTON ON THE HILL.” – LOCAL SOLDIERS KILLED. – The death in action in France is reported on the 22nd ult. of Leonard Fielding, Lance Sergt., Leicestershire Regt., youngest son of Mr. Thos. Fielding, of Houghton on the Hill; also his half brother, Sapper Claude Clifford, Sherwood Foresters, of Little Bowden, on the 28th. The latter was a son of the late Mr. Thos. Bird Clifford and the late Mrs. Thos. Fielding and son in law of Mr. W. Ward, of the Manor Farm, Houghton. Both were natives of Houghton, where Leonard Fielding had lived all his life, and Claude Clifford till a few years ago. A memorial service is being held in Houghton Church tomorrow.
On the 31st January 1920 the Wyggeston Grammar School for Boys in Leicester published a Roll of Honour of former pupils, Claude is recorded as having attended the school between the years 1885 and 1891, he had formerly attended school in Houghton on the Hill.