The War Graves of Ystradgynlais

While it is on the face of it strange that William Thomas Clifford would be known as Jack, it is undeniable that Jack Clifford of the South Wales Borderers was killed in action, but the only Clifford that the Commonwealth War Graves Commission lists that fits the surname, regiment and date of death is W T Clifford. Further, since the local newspaper records Jack Clifford as being from Ystradgynlais, and the Ystradgynlais War Memorial lists a W Clifford, we have to assume that Jack was a by-name not related on the face of it to his given names. The discrepancy in age, with the CWGC listing him as 28 when killed, and the newspaper the vague "between 30 and 40 years of age" is most probably down to the inexactitude of the newspaper's state of knowledge.

The information on W T Clifford has been compiled from a number of sources, including the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, from the Labour Voice newspaper, and the Parish Burial Register (courtesy of the Swansea Archives).

From the Labour Voice newspaper, 10th OCTOBER 1914 :-

YSTRADGYNLAIS MAN Killed at the War
Intimation came to hand on Wednesday to the effect that an Ystradgynlais miner, named Jack Clifford, had been killed at the front. Deceased was a reservist in the South Wales Borderers and went out at the beginning of the war. The rumour regarding his death came to hand several days ago, but it was officially confirmed on Tuesday, though no details were given. Mr. Clifford's father journeyed from Brecon on Tuesday to break the news to the deceased's wife, with whom the greatest sympathy is felt in her loss. Deceased was a brother of Mr. Harry Clifford hairdresser and was between 30 and 40 years of age. He was shot through the lung.