Private 42910 Clifford Rowton Talbott

Died on Monday, 27th November 1916, age 38.
Buried in Grave III. F. 2. at Peronne Road Cemetery, Maricourt, Somme, France.

22nd Bn., Durham Light Infantry. Pioneer Battalion of 8th Division.

Son of John and Julia Talbott, of 141, Tividale Road, Tipton, Staffs. Also recorded as 141 Birmingham Rd, Tipton.
Born: Dudley, Enlisted: Dudley, Resident: Tipton.

First landed France & Flanders, 10th September 1916.
Medal entitlement: British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Soldier's Papers at National Archives survived and transcribed.

Not commemorated on any Tipton memorial.
Commemorated here because identified as Tipton on 'Soldiers Died in the Great War'.

Link to Commonwealth War Graves Site: www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/311464/

Genealogical Data

1901 Census
2 Rose Villas, Dixon's Green, Dudley, Worcs.
John Talbott (52, Stocktaker at Ironworks), his wife Julia A. (49, born Brierley Hill), and their 4 children: Herbert H. (28, Chemist's Manager, born Brierley Hill), Ernest (25, Grocer's Manager, born Hanley), Clifford (22, Grocer's Assistant, born Dudley), and Eleanor B. (16, Scholar, born Brierley Hill).

1911 Census
141 Birmingham Road, Tipton, Staffs.
John Talbott (62, Stocktaker at Ironworks), his wife Julia Anne (58, born Brierley Hill), and 3 of their 4 surviving children of 6: Ernest (35, Grocer's Assistant, born Hanley), Clifford (32, Grocer's Assistant, born Dudley), and Eleanor Beatrice (26,Lady, born Brierley Hill).

Personal Data

Clifford attested for the Durham Light Infantry on 8th December 1915 at Dudley, presumably under the Derby Scheme, and was called up on 24th March 1916. Clifford was single, 37 years of age and employed as a Grocer's Manager, he was 5 feet 5 inches tall with a 37-inch chest and weighed 140 pounds. His religion was Church of England.

Clifford trained with the 3/8th and 2/5th Durham Light Infantry in England. He landed in France on 10th September 1916 and on 27th September 1916 was posted to the 22nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry - the Pioneer Battalion for 8th Division.

After Clifford's death, his outstanding army pay and allowances amounted to £3/16/2d (3 pounds, 16 shillings and 2 pence); this was paid to his mother and sole legatee, Julia, in May 1917. His War Gratuity was £3/0/0d (3 pounds exactly), this was also paid to his father, John, in September 1919. The value of the War Gratuity suggests that Clifford had enlisted within the previous 12 months.

Action resulting in his death

On 27th November 1916, Clifford died from "Heart Failure" and was buried in Peronne Road Cemetery, Maricourt, Somme, France. On 20th November, the Division had moved to Aumont, about 15 miles to the west of Amiens. Clifford's death on the 27th at Maricourt suggests that he had been in hospital for at least a week before his death.

Newspaper Cuttings

Tipton Herald December 16th 1916 & December 23rd 1916
TALBOTT. Died on active service in France Nov 27th. Private Clifford Rowton Talbott, 22nd Durham Light Infantry (youngest son of Mr & Mrs J Talbott, Tividale Rd, Tipton.) Deeply mourned.

Tipton Herald January 6th 1917
PRIVATE CLIFFORD TALBOTT (Tipton).
The late Private Clifford R. Talbott, whose father Mr H.H. Talbott resides at 141 Tividale Road, Tipton, served with the Durham Light Infantry. He was born in July of 1878, and passed away while on active service in November last. He was educated at Holly Hall and St. John's School, Dudley, and afterwards entered the employ of Home and Colonial Stores Ltd., being with them up to the time of joining His Majesty's forces, and having completed 24 years service with one firm. Prior to joining the Army, the late Private C.R. Talbott was a member of the Darlaston V.T.C. and was very popular among the members of that body. He saw severe fighting, and in the midst of the combat, received mortal injuries.

Tipton Herald December 1st 1917
In Memoriam
TALBOTT:.- In loving memory of our dear son, Private Clifford Rowton Talbott of Tividale Road, Tipton, who died in France November 27th 1916. Sadly missed by father, mother, sisters and brothers.
God takes our loved ones from our homes, but never from our hearts.