Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Temporary Midshipman G. J. Clifton, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, who was reported missing, believed killed in action, off Sword Beach on D-Day, when serving in L.C.T. 1074

1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; War Medal 1939-45, in their original addressed card forwarding box, the reverse further inscribed ‘DNA (Wills) 57/235’, with related Admiralty condolence slip in the name of ‘Temporary Midshipman Geoffrey John Clifton, R.N.V.R.’, together with an original wartime portrait photograph, extremely fine (3) £200-250

Geoffrey John Clifton was one of three officers aboard the Landing Craft Tank (L.C.T.) 1074 on 6 June 1944, their task being to land elements of 5th Independent Battery, Royal Marine Assault Regiment, on Sword Beach in support of the four assault companies of 2/East Yorkshires and 1/South Lancashires who were desperately fighting to overcome the heavily fortified and defended German strong point codenamed “Cod” on the narrow beaches of La Breche. The landings here, as on other assault beaches down the coast, were on the whole so successful that it was easy to miss the significance of how much was due to the faithfulness of those in charge of the landing craft.

The majority were organised for the run-in as small flotillas under the immediate command of young officers of the Royal Marines or Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. The records of what happened to craft under their command, in spite of bald statement of fact, must fill the historical observer with pride. Of the seven craft carrying tanks of the Royal Marine Armoured Support Regiment two were lost after unloading. One of them received several direct hits from mortar bombs and was soon on fire. It was commanded by a temporary Sub. Lieutenant of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, with two other officers of the same rank; all three and some of the crew were killed. The second craft was mined and hit by shellfire; one of the crew was killed and a junior officer and four ratings were wounded; the craft became a total wreck. Clifton was reported missing, believed killed in action on 6 June 1944 and, his body never having been recovered, was officially accepted as deceased on 25 August. Just 19 years of age, and the son of Lilian Esther Clifton of Enfield, Middlesex, to whom the above card forwarding box is addressed, he is commemorated on the Chatham Memorial.