Name
Clifton David Osler
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
29/07/1916
23
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
17424
Bedfordshire Regiment
9th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
WIMEREUX COMMUNAL CEMETERY
I. O. 28.
France
Headstone Inscription
GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
UK & Other Memorials
Abbots Langley Village Memorial, Church of Ascension Memorial, Bedmond
Biography
Clifton David was born in the autumn of 1893, the son of Frank Osler and Jane (nee Philips). In the 1891 Census Frank was recorded as a Railway Clerk, and by 1901 he was working as an Attendant at the Asylum, and later in 1911 as a General Labourer. In 1911 Clifton was employed as a Mill Operative. By 1911 the Osler family included six sons and one daughter.
Clifton Osler was one of five members of the Osler family from Bedmond that served in the Great War. He enlisted at Watford and was first listed in the Abbots Langley Parish Magazine Roll of Honour in November 1914 serving with the Bedfordshire’s. Clifton went to France on 24 Sep 1915. In December 1915 Clifton was reported in the Herts Advertiser as being wounded when fighting with the 1st Battalion of the Bedfordshire’s. At some point he served with the 9th Battalion, but by July 1916 he was part of the 6th Battalion, and was present in the Front Line at various points in the Battle of the Somme. On 15th July 1916, the 6th Battalion moved from trenches to the south of Contalmaison to attack the enemy lines at Pozieres, and suffered 243 killed, wounded and missing. The 6th Bedfordshire’s withdrew from the front line and did not return during the remainder of the month of July. Clifton died of wounds at a No 14 General Hospital in Boulogne, and was buried at Wimereux Communal Cemetery in the Pas de Calais, so it was highly likely that he was wounded in the fighting around Pozieres, and was evacuated to a Base Hospital on the coast, where he subsequently died.
His death was recorded in the Abbots Langley Parish Magazine Roll of Honour in September 1916: “Clifton David Osler of Bedmond, died at Boulogne, on July 29th, of wounds received in the Battle of the Somme”
Clifton was commemorated on the Abbots Langley War Memorial. On 6th December 1916 a Memorial Service was held for his family and the family of several other Abbots Langley men at St Lawrence Church. He was also commemorated on the War Memorial at the Church of the Ascension at Bedmond.
Three of the sons served in the Great War, Frank Reginald survived; however, Hamilton Osler was killed in action with the 2/4th The Queens (Royal West Surrey) at Beugneux Ridge, to the south of Soissons on 1st August 1918. Clifton's brother Hamilton also lost his life during the War.
War Gratuity of £8 and arrears of £6 14s 3d paid to father.
Additional Information
Formerly 1st & 6th Battalions, Bedfordshire Regiment.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Roger Yapp - www.backtothefront.org
