United Kingdom. A DSO, Boer War and First War Group to Brigadier General H.F.H Clifford, Suffolk Regiment, Son of VC Recipient Sir Henry Hugh Clifford

A Distinguished Service Order, in silver gilt and enamels, measures 41 mm (w) x 45.5 mm (h), weighs 28.63 grams, worn on original ribbon with silver hanger and horizontal brooch at the top, gilt wear to the cross and hangers, enamel damage to the green wreath on the obverse medallion, small chips to the left side of the red enamels in the reverse medallion, remains better than very fine. 

A Queen’s South Africa Medal, in silver, full size, rim officially engraved (British Army) “Capt H.F.H. CLIFFORD. Suffolk Rgt.”, ghost dates 1899-1900 present on reverse, worn on replacement ribbon with TRANSVAAL, ORANGE FREE STATE, CAPE COLONY clasps, light wear, very dark patina to obverse, very fine. 

A King’s South Africa Medal, in silver, full size, rim privately engraved “Capt H.F.H. CLIFFORD. Suffolk Rgt.”, worn on replacement ribbon with SOUTH AFRICA 1901, SOUTH AFRICA 1902, light wear, dark patina, very fine. 

A 1914 Star, bronze gilt, full size, reverse impressed “LT: COL. H.F.H. CLIFFORD. SUFF. R.”, light wear, extremely fine. 

A British War Medal, in silver, full size, rim impressed “BRIG. GEN. H.F.H. CLIFFORD”  light wear, very dark patina to obverse, very fine. 

A Victory Medal, in bronze gilt, full size, rim impressed “BRIG. GEN. H.F.H. CLIFFORD” worn on ribbon with MID oak leaf clasp, scattered gilt wear to obverse, light wear, very fine.

A King George V 1911 Coronation Medal, in silver, full size, very dark patina to both sides, light wear, very fine. 

A Suffolk Regiment Cap Badge, in bronze, reverse with two horizontal prongs, marked J.R.GAUNT LONDON, measures 46.5 mm (w) x 41.3 mm (h), dark patina, in extremely fine condition. 

Accompanied by modern research of the recipient’s life, his brother’s, and his fathers, providing great context into this fascinating group. 

Footnote: Henry Frederick Hugh Clifford was born August 13, 1867, second son of Major General Sir Henry Clifford, V.C. 

Clifford entered the Suffolk Regiment on 11 February 1888, and became a Lieutenant on 5 February 1891, and a Captain on 13 October 1897. He served in the Second Boer War from August 1902 to January 1905. He was A.D.C to Lieutenant General Sir William Butler, G.O.C Western District, and he was promoted Major 7 June 1910. 

Major Clifford served in the Great War from 1914; was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel 3 September 1914. He was made a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette 18 Feb. 1915]:  “Henry Frederick Hugh Clifford, Lieut.-Colonel, The Suffolk Regt.“ The DSO was awarded “for services in connection with operations in the field.” In the following May, he was reported wounded, and on 29 May was appointed to the command of the 149th Brigade.

Brigadier General H.F.H. Clifford was killed by a German sniper, in action on September 11, 1916, while inspecting trenches at the Battle of the Somme. 

H.F.H Clifford’s Father: 
Sir Henry Hugh Clifford was born at Irnham Hall, Lincolnshire on 12th September 1826, the third son of Hugh Charles Clifford, the 7th Baron, and his wife Mary Lucy Weld, the only daughter of Thomas (later Cardinal) Weld of Lulworth Castle, Dorset.

He received his first commission as a Second Lieutenant in the Rifle Brigade on 7th August 1846, just a month short of his 20th birthday. He served in South Africa against the Gaikas under Sandili in the following year, and then against the Boers, until their submission at Weinberg on the Vaal river. On the outbreak of another Kaffir war in 1852 he again went to Africa, where he remained until November 1853. During this time, he was promoted to Lieutenant in 1859 and Captain in 1854, soon after his actions in the Crimea which saw the award of the Victoria Cross. 

He arrived in the Crimea as an Aide-de-Camp to Sir George Brown was commanding a Light Division, and was present at the Battles of Alma and Inkerman. On 5th November 1854, at Inkerman, Clifford showed great gallantry when leading a charge and killing one of the enemy with his sword, disabling another, and saving the life of a fellow soldier. 

Clifford was awarded the VC, and was one of the first announcements of the new decoration on 24th February 1857. He was now Major Clifford having received his promotion in July 1855. He was personally presented with his VC at the first investiture in Hyde Park on 26th June 1857. 

He then served in the China War and became a Major General in 1877. He was created a Companion of Bath and was also bestowed with a KCMG. Sir Henry Hugh Clifford VC, KSMG, CB died on April 12, 1888. 

H.F.H Clifford’s Brother: 
Hugh Clifford was born on March 4 1886. He served in Civil Service as the Governor of the Straits Settlements. In 1887, he became the government representative for Pahang, an isolated post which lasted for two years. In 1896, he served as Governor of north Borneo and Labuan, remaining there until 1903. He was posted as Colonial Secretary in Trinidad, followed by the position of Governor in Ceylon, the Gold Coast, and Nigeria. He returned to Malay as Governor of the Straits Settlements and High Commissioner of the Federated Malay States in 1927. Clifford retired in 1930, and died in 1941.