Clifford Ward Bellwood
Date of birth: 8 September 1897
Date of death: not known
Area: Wakefield
Regiment: Welsh Guards
Family information: Son of Fred and Emily Bellwood, Normanton
Rank: Guardsman
Service number: 4303
War Life
Clifford was conscripted in 1915 or 1916 and trained at the White City in London. He was posted to the Welsh Guards; a newly formed regiment and the last of the guards regiments to be established. He served as a guardsman, taking part in the battle of Paschendaele in 1917.
After the armistice Clifford served with his regiment in the army of occupation until March 1919.
He was awarded the Victory Medal and the British Medal.
Family Life
Clifford was born in Normanton on the 8th October 1897, the son of Fred and Emily Bellwood. In 1901 the family were living in Chapel Row, Normanton Common and Fred was a colliery worker.
When Clifford left school he was employed as a wages clerk at Whitwood Colliery. After being demobbed in 1919 he returned to the colliery and worked there until his retirement in 1962.
He returned from war service still physically fit enough to play sport; he played cricket in the 1920s and 30s, captaining Whitwood Cricket Club in the Yorkshire League. But the war had taken its toll in other ways. He would never speak to his family about his experiences on the Western Front, always saying when asked that the horrors of Flanders were best forgotten.
Clifford Ward Bellwood
His Medal Index Card
