Researching George Clifton

Clifton was born in England and served in its Royal Navy, he emigrated to Australia in 1851. He returned in 1864, having served as a police officer, to become the Governor of the Portland and Dartmoor prisons.

He was employed by the state of Western Australia as superintendent of water police at Fremantle. Clifton assisted William Henry Harvey's work on algae of the region, and made use of his boat to make collections in the region. His contribution to Harvey's publication of Phycologia Australica is especially noted throughput that work, volume 5 is prefaced with the remarks,

"To George Clifton, Esq., R.N., of Fremantle, Western Australia, whose name occurs so frequently throughout the volume and in the synopsis, I am indebted for some thousands of beautifully preserved specimens, including many species collected by no one else. His contributions commenced in 1854, whilst I was resident in Western Australia, and have been regularly continued at short intervals up to the present time (Sept., .1863). Three new genera, Cliftonaea, Bindera, and Encyothalia, besides many new species, prove the zeal and success with which Mr. Clifton has conducted his researches."

His name is commemorated by Harvey in the epithets of the genus Cliftonia (later Cliftonaea), and a new species Dasya cliftoni; his continued supply of material to the author saw Clifton honoured more than any other person in names of Australian algae species. Clifton was known to have corresponded with Ferdinand von Mueller, but these letters are missing.

Clifton joined the New Zealand Military Forces in 1915 but was too young to serve abroad during the First World War and was posted to the New Zealand Staff Corps. He was seconded to the Indian Army from 1918 to 1921 and served in the Waziristan Campaign. Returning to New Zealand he held a series of staff posts as well attending military courses. He volunteered to join the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force (2NZEF) upon the outbreak of the Second World War. Initially the brigade major of the 5th Infantry Brigade in 1940, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel and appointed commander of the Divisional Engineers, 2nd New Zealand Division. He participated in the Battle of Greece as well as the early fighting in North Africa for which he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order and bar. Given command of the 6th Infantry Brigade in February 1942, he was captured during the fighting around El Alamein in September 1942.

As a prisoner of war, Clifton made a total of nine escape attempts including from camps in Italy and Germany. His last escape attempt saw him reach American lines in March 1945 and his exploits as a prisoner of war were recognised with a further bar to his DSO. After the war he served on the staff of the British Commonwealth Occupation Force in Japan, commanded a training school, and was posted to the War Office in London. His final appointment before retiring from the New Zealand Military Forces in 1953 was as commander of the Northern Military District. He became a sheep farmer in later life and spent his final years as a city councillor in Taupo. He died in 1970 at the age of 71.

George Clifton played association football for Derbyshire local club Long Eaton Rangers in 1887.

Centre-Half had been a problem position for Derby County in 1888-1889 and various players were tried. Three players had been tried and then J Smith was brought to Derby County and the centre-half position seemed settled. However, for the Boxing Day trip to Wellington Road, Birmingham, then home of Aston Villa Smith was unavailable. George Clifton was signed and he made his debut against Aston Villa. Hopewell and his defending colleagues had a difficult first-half with Villa gaining a 2–0 lead. County goalkeeper, Joseph Marshall, made some "fine saves", and County had hope when they reduced Villa' lead to 2–1. But the County defence could not contain Villa for long and Villa went in 3-1 up at half-time. The second half was more even, but Villa settled the result by taking a 4–1 lead. Then County reduced the arrears towards then end of the game and Villa won 4–2. George Clifton was returned to Long Eaton Rangers having played just the one match. Derby County finished 10th in the Football League and had to seek re-election. They conceded 61 goals in 22 games, the third worst defence of the season.

Clifton died at the age of 81 in 1947.