Name
Alan Chadwick Iliff
1885
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
20/06/1915
30
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Sub-Lieutenant
Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve
Nelson Bn. R.N. Div.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
SKEW BRIDGE CEMETERY
II. E. 1.
Turkey (including Gallipoli)
Headstone Inscription
SON OF CAPTAIN CHARLES ILIFF SUNDERLAND
UK & Other Memorials
Hemel Hempstead Town Memorial
Pre War
Alan Chadwick Iliff was born on 25 March 1885 in East Dulwich, Camberwell, London, the son of Captain Charles and Helen Iliff and one of three children.
His father was a Master Mariner and was often away at sea with the family moving frequently and often boarding or with relatives.
On the 1891 Census he is recorded as a boarder at 1 Ribble Terrace, Settle, Yorkshire along with his mother and siblings Charles and Elsie. His mother was said to be living on her own means. Alan and his brother Charles attended Giggleswick independent school in Settle and Alan later moved to Royal St Anne's School in Redhill, Surrey to finish his education.
By the 1901 Census they had moved to 32 Egerton Road, Chorlton cum Hardy, Lancashire, at which time Alan was working as a Printers' Apprentice. When he lived in Manchester, he was a member of the Adelphi Lads Club in Salford and the Agecroft Rowing Club in Pendleton. He played hockey for Lancashire and would do so later in Hertfordshire.
His father died on 22 February 1903 at sea and was buried at Brisbane, Australia.
On the 1911 Census both Alan and his brother Charles were boarders at the home of Harry and Alice Holloway at St Phillips, Charles Street, Berkhamsted, Herts and both were working at the local manufacturing stationers.
Alan was living at 10 Grove Road, Willesden Green, London on enlistment and had been employed at a Manufacturing Stationer, but had also been working passage on tramp steamers.
His mother was then living at 9 Park Range, Victoria Park, Manchester.
Wartime Service
He enlisted into the Royal Naval Division on 9 September 1914 and joined the 1st Battalion at Crystal Palace, London for training, rising through the ranks quickly, being promoted to Leading Seaman on 21 October 1914 and Petty Officer on 23 December 1914. By the beginning of 1915 he was in C Company, Benbow Battalion. He was discharged from the 1st Battalion on 10 March 1915 and was granted a commission as Sub Lieutenant RNVR. They sailed for the Dardanelles in May 1915 and suffered large numbers of casualties during the landings at Gallipoli and subsequent actions. He was transferred to Nelson Battalion on 12 June and saw action at the 3rd Battle of Krithia.
He was wounded in action on 20 June 1915 and died of those wounds later the same day in the 2nd (RN) Field Ambulance and is buried at Skew Bridge Cemetery, Helles, Gallipoli, Turkey. He was 30 years old.
He was commemorated in the Books of Remembrance (now lost) of the Adelphi Lads Club in Salford. His brother Charles received letters of regret from his men of Benbow Battalion telling of his bravery which all 39 men signed. These letters were published in the Hemel Gazette.
Additional Information
His father, C W Iliff, Keasden, Felden, Boxmoor, Herts., ordered his headstone inscription: "SON OF CAPTAIN CHARLES ILIFF SUNDERLAND". Probate of his estate was granted in London on 15 September 1915 to Phyllis Mary Olivia Rawlings, Spinster, with effects of £612 17s 9d.
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer
Jonty Wild, www.hemelheroes.com
