Richard Cormick CLIFFORD - Hutt Valley Biographical Index and ...

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Richard Cormick CLIFFORD 

Born Feb or Mar 1828 

Baptised 11 Feb 1830 British Chapel, Macao, Macao Colony, China 

Married 13 Feb 1851 Oulart, Wexford, Ireland Ann Margaret FITZSIMON 

Died 3 Mar 1878 Belmont Road, Lower Hutt, New Zealand aged 43yrs 

Father William Henry de CLIFFORD (-1835) son of William de CLIFFORD and Jane Staunton CORMICK (1758-) 

Mother Annie O’BYRAN (nee RYFORD) 

Ann Margaret FITZSIMON 

Born April 1831 Barking, Essex (Mary A. in 1891 census aged 64yrs) 

Died 1904 Kodikanal near Madras, India 

Children 

William Henry b 1851 Oulart m 1877 Avis Sophia HEBBERD India d 1941 George, Cape Province, SA 

Reginald Claudius Francis b 1858 Ireland m 1890 Elizabeth PALMER West Ham, Essex d Dec Qt 1917 Alresford, Hampshire 

Richard Thomas Albert b Sep Qt 1860 Devonport, Devon 

Charles Claudius b 1862 Lucknow d 1937 London 

Edward Cormack b c1864 d 28 Feb 1901 Cape Province, SA 

George Staunton b 1867 Darjeeling m 1898 Clara Margaret MOWER India d 1946 

HBIG A-Z Clifford Last updated 23 May 2012 Page 1 of 8


East India Register 1836 Death 

Madras Presidency: In camp, near Sholapoor, Lieut. W. H. Clifford, 1 st regt. L.C. died 8 January 1835. 

Allen’s Indian Mail 1845 p635 War Office 17 Oct 1845 

Bengal, 50 th Foot. Richard Cormick Clifford, gent., to be ensign, v. Barnes; dated 17 th Oct. 1845. 

Bengal Directory 1846-1847 - Arrivals 

Ship ‘Poictiers’, Captain H. Denny, departed Cork, arrived Calcutta August 1846 – Ensign R. C. Clifford, HM 50 th Regiment, from Gravesend, Kent 

London Gazette 1 Jan 1847 p7 War Office 

50 th Foot, Ensign Richard Cormick Clifford to be Lieutenant, without purchase, vice Du Vernet, appointed to 67 th Foot. Dated 1 st January 1847. 

London Gazette 19 Nov 1847 

10 th Foot, Lieutenant Richard Cormick Clifford, from 50 th Foot, to be Lieutenant, vice Singleton, who exchanges. Dated 10 th September 1847. 

Bengal Directory 1847 Entry from Arrivals 

Ship ‘Poictiers’ – Captain H. Denny. Departed Gravesend, Arrived at Calcutta. Passenger - Ensign R. C. Clifford, HM 30 th Regiment Foot. 

United Kingdom National Archives Reference WO 25 – 3241 MN 09276 – Marriage 

Document date: 25 th March 1851. Richard Cormick Clifford, aged 22yrs 11 months of H.M.s 10 th Regiment of Foot and Ann Margaret Fitzsimon, 

aged 19 years 10 months were married at Oulartt, County Wexford, Ireland on 13 Feb 1851 by Timothy O’Farrell. Witnesses: William C. Clifford, 

William G. Daniel, Jane Francie Clifford. 

The New Calcutta Directory 1857 Entry from Departures 

Ship ‘Monarch’ – Captain C. Wiltshire. Departed Calcutta 25 Jan 1857 for London. Passenger: Lieut. R. C. Clifford, HM 10 th Regiment 

The London Gazette 16 Oct 1857 p3454 

10 th Foot, Lieutenant Richard Cormick Clifford to be Captain, without purchase, vice Dunbar, killed in action. Dated 30 th July 1857. 

The London Gazette 21 Dec 1860 p5147 

48 th Foot, Captain Richard Cormick Clifford, from the 10 th Foot, to be Captain, vice James Farquhar, who exchanges. Dated 21 st December 1860. 



London Gazette 13 Feb 1863 p759 War Office, Pall Mall, 13 th February 1863 

7 th Foot, Captain Richard Cormick Clifford, from the 48 th Foot, to be Captain, vice William Langmead Lewes, who exchanges. Dated 17 th 

December 1862. 

The United Service Magazine March 1863 p468 – Promotions and Appointments 

48 th Foot – Capt. William Langmead Lewes, from the 7 th Foot, to be catp., vice Richard Cormick Clifford, who exchanges – 17 th Dec., 1862. 

War Services of Officers of the Bengal Army 1863 

Lieutenant R. C. Clifford, late 38 th Native Infantry. Ensign 13 Dec 1856. Lieutenant 6 Jun 1857. Lieutenant Clifford served with the Left Wing, 

H.M.’s 45 th Regiment, in pursuit of Mutineers of the 34 th and 73 rd Native Infantry, from Dacca and Chittagong, ’57. With the Soraon Field Force, 

under Lieutenant-Colonel Whistler, from March -58. Served with the 1 st Oude Police Cavalry with the Army under Lord Clyde during the winter 

Campaign in Oude, ’58. Present at the first attack on the Fort of Tyroul, in Oude, 21 st March ’58. Medal. 

London Gazette 10 Apr 1866 p2307 

The undermentioned Officers to have the local rank of Major in India:- Captain Richard Cormick Clifford, 7 th Foot. Dated 17 th October 1865. 

London Gazette 6 May 1870 p2437 

Captain Richard Cormick Clifford, from the 7 th Foot, to be Major, without purchase. Dated 1 st April, 1870. 

London Gazette 24 Jun 1873 p2975 

Major Richard Cormick Clifford, half-pay, late 7 th Foot. Dated 25 th June 1873. 

The Argus (Melbourne) 1 Oct 1873 Shipping Intelligence – Arrived 

Renown, ship (Green’s Blackwell line), 1292 tons, William F. Owen, from London July 9, The Lizard July 14. Passengers – cabin: Mrs Owen, Mr 

and Mrs Charles Oxtoby and Misses Oxtoby (four), Major and Mrs Clifford and family (two), Mr and Mrs Alderson and Misses Alderson (two), Mr 

and Mrs Parker and child, Mr and Mrs Frearson and servant, Mr and Mrs Richardson and child, Miss Drake, Miss Evans, Dr Archdell, Messrs 

Joyce, Walker, Riley, Rundle, James; and 20 in the second cabin and steerage. J. H. White and Co., agents. 

The Blackwall liner ‘Renown’, one of the favourite ships of her fleet in the India trade, completed her second and a very successful voyage to this 

port yesterday. She has come into port in unexceptionable order, and brings a full general cargo, mostly measurement goods, in which drapery 

and liquors figure to a considerable extent. She also brings a number of passengers, who were so thoroughly pleased with the voyage and the 

ship, that they drew up and presented an address to Captain Owen, expressive of their sentiments in the matter. The address was tastefully 

illuminated by one of the passengers, and the wording of it can be seen in our shipping advertisement columns. The voyage was enlivened by 

amateur theatricals, concerts, and other social entertainments. Several of the passengers are old and well-known colonists. The ‘Renown’ sailed 

from London on July 9, and passed The Lizzard on July 14, light variable winds and fine weather prevailing to the equator, which was crossed on 



August 12 in lon. 22deg. W. The ship had a good time of it in the S.E. trades, the winds being fresh and favourable, and carrying her to lat. 20deg. 

S. The meridian of the Cape of Good Hope was passed on September 3, in lat. 39deg S., and the easting was run down in the same parallel. 

From the Cape to St. Paul’s the weather was very boisterous, but from thence fair winds continued until sighting Cape Otway on the 28 th ult. The 

ship made some fine running while the westerly winds lasted, the best day’s work as recorded in the log being 328 miles. Light winds were met 

with from Cape Otway to the anchorage. The ‘Renown’ will be berthed at the railway pier, Sandridge, this morning, to discharge cargo and load 

again for London. 

The Argus (Melbourne) 1 Oct 1873 – To Captain W. F. Owen 

We, the undersigned saloon passengers on board the ‘Renown’, from London to Melbourne, September 29 th , 1873, wish to express our high 

appreciation of the skilful manner in which you have navigated the ship during our passage, and also to tender our heartfelt thanks for the uniform 

and constant consideration you have always shown for our comfort and amusement. We would also take this opportunity of expressing our 

admiration for the high seamanlike qualities of your officers, and trust they will soon gain that promotion they so well deserve. We wish you and 

Mrs Owen happiness and prosperity, and regret the termination of a voyage you have rendered so pleasant. John Parker, Alfred J. Rieley, John 

M. Richardson, Charles C. Oxtoby, William P. Joyce, W. M. Alderson, Thomas A. Frearson, M. M. Clifford, Louise M. Drake, M. R. Parker, A. F. 

Frearson, F. A. Richardson, Catharine Oxtoby, Isabella Alderson, Emily Alderson, Alice Alderson, Hannah C. Ewans, Mary E. Bray, Catharine S. 

Bray, George Walker, Edwin James, J. K. Rundle, R. C. Clifford. 

The Argus 1 Oct 1873 Shipping Advertisement 

Steam to Hokitika, Greymouth, Nelson, Wellington, Lyttelton, Timaru, Oamaru, Otago and Bluff. The steamship ‘Claud Hamilton’, W. S. Bawden, 

Commander, will sail for the above-named ports on Thursday, 9 th October, at 1 o’clock, from Sandridge Railway Pier, with passengers and cargo. 

Passengers and cargo for Auckland, Napier, Taranaki and Wanganui forwarded by steam from Wellington. Cargo received at Queen’s Wharf from 

to-morrow morning. McMeckan, Blackwood and Co., 2 King-street. 

Evening Post 17 Oct 1873 – Hokitika 16 th October – English News – Per Java Cable 

The ‘Claud Hamilton’, from Melbourne, arrived at 9 yesterday morning, and was tendered at 6 this evening. She left Melbourne on the 9 th , and 

brings 27 saloon and 30 steerage passengers. Passengers for Wellington:- Major and Mrs Clifford, Masters Clifford (2), Mr C. J. Dowling. The 

‘Claud’ sailed North this evening. 

Evening Post 20 Oct 1873 Port of Wellington – Passenger List Inwards 

Per ‘Claud Hamilton: Cabin – From West Coast: Messrs Bowen, Robertson and Turner; from Melbourne: Mr E. J. Dowling, Major and Mrs Clifford, 

Masters Clifford (2); 7 steerage. The ‘Claud Hamilton’ arrived at the wharf yesterday at 10.30 a.m. from Melbourne and West Coast ports. She left 

Hobson’s Bay at 2.30 p.m. on the 9 th inst, and passed Port Phillip Heads at 5.30 p.m… and the Sister Islands at 2 p.m. on the 11 th inst. For the first 

three days experienced E.N.E. winds, which then changed to S. and S.E. with rain on the 13 th inst. Arrived off Hokitika at 8.30 a.m. on the 15 th 

where she stayed until 2 p.m. on the 16 th inst, when she was tendered by the ‘Lioness’. Sailed for Greymouth at 3.30 p.m. and arrived at 5.30 

p.m.; sailed for Nelson at 6.30 p.m. and passed Cape Farewell at 10.20 a.m. on the 17 th inst, experiencing fine weather. The ‘Claud’ left Nelson at 

6 p.m. on Saturday, and met with S.S.E. winds coming across the Straits. 



1875-1876 Hutt Electoral Roll 

Richard Cormick Clifford of Lower Hutt, Freehold of Part of Section No.17, Lower Hutt 

The Times of India – Marriages as reported in ‘Domestic Occurrences’ 1877 

March 1 st at Umballa, Avis Sophia, daughter of Mr H. Hebberd, Stud Dept., Saharunpore, to Mr W. H. Clifford, DPW 

This photograph of Major Clifford was taken by James Corbett between March 1877 

and 3 Mar 1878 at Napier. 

From the Hawke’s Bay Herald 11 April 1877 

One of Corbett’s earliest Napier Advertisements 



Evening Post 4 Mar 1878 

We regret to record the death of Major Clifford, which occurred at his residence, Lower Hutt, at eight o’clock last evening. The late Major Clifford 

was formerly in the 50 th , 10 th and 7 th Fusiliers, and saw a deal of service, in which he gained much prestige. He was present during the seige of 

Moultan and through the subsequent campaign, in which he was distinguised for his bravery and good service. He received several medals and 

military decorations. Major Clifford came out to Wellington about five years ago. He has been suffering from ill-health for some time, his complaint 

being abscess in the lungs. Latterly he sank rapidly, finally succumbing yesterday evening, as already stated. Dr Wilford attended him to the last. 

Major Clifford leaves a widow and six sons to mourn his loss. 

Evening Post 5 Mar 1878 Funeral Notice 

The friends of the late Major Richard Cormack Clifford are respectfully invited to attend his funeral, which will leave his late residence, Belmont 

Road, Lower Hutt, on Wednesday, the 6 th inst., at 8.30 a.m. Gascoine & Parsons, Undertakers. 

Appendices to the Journal of the House of Representatives 1885 Section H13 p13 

Return of Masters, Mates, and Engineers to whom Certificates of Competency were issued in New Zealand during the year ending 31 Mar 1885 

Reginald Claudius Clifford, First Mate, Foreign Trade, Certificate No. 411 issued 30 Jan 1885. 

1891 Census 6 S. Andrew’s Road, West Ham, Essex 

Reginald C. CLIFFORD Head 32yrs Mariner – travelling b Ireland 

Elizabeth CLIFFORD Wife 27yrs b Barking, Essex 

Kathleen A. CLIFFORD Dau 14 months b Upton Park, Essex 

Mary A. CLIFFORD Mother 64yrs Living on her own means [widow] b Barking, Essex 

Nelson Evening Mail 26 Jan 1899 ‘The Otarama’ 

Port Chalmers, This Day – Arrived- ‘Otarama’, Capt. Clifford, from London, with 3000 tons cargo for Dunedin and 1000 tons for Lyttelton. 

Roll of Honour Boer War - http://www.roll-of-honour.com/cgi-bin/boerwardetail.cgi 

Lieutenant Edward Cormack Clifford, Bethunes Mounted Infantry died 28 Feb 1901 at Paauwapan, North Cape Province, South Africa of heart 

disease. Information extracted from The Last Post – Roll of Officers who fell in South Africa 1899-1902 by Mildred G. Dooner, published by Naval 

and Military Press. 



1901 Census North Street, Hornchurch, Essex 

Reginald C. CLIFFORD Head 42yrs Master Mariner – sea b Wexford, Ireland 

Lizzie CLIFFORD Wife 37yrs b Barking, Essex 

Kathleen A. CLIFFORD Dau 11yrs b East Ham, Essex 

Violet T. CLIFFORD Dau 8yrs b Tottenham, Middlesex 

Eliza HAMPTON Servt 17yrs Domestic servant [single] b Chadweal Heath, Essex 

Auckland Star 07 Dec 1903 The Kaikoura 

The New Zealand Shipping Company’s new steamer ‘Kaikoura’, which was launched at Clydebank recently, arrived from London, Capetown, 

Melbourne and Sydney shortly before 2 a.m. to-day, and berthed at the Queen-street Whart to discharge. The vessel is under charter to the Tyser 

line. She is a large, four-masted steamer, has twin-screws, and has been built in accordance with the requirements of the Board of Trade, and is 

classed 100 A1 at Lloyds. Her principal dimensions are: Length between perpendiculars 400ft, beam moulded 58ft, depth moulded 34ft 3in, and 

gross tonnage about 7100. The whole of the forward holds and ‘tween decks are insulated for the carriage of frozen mutton. The propelling 

machinery consists of two sets of triple-expansion surface-condensing engines, having cylinders of 25in, 42in, and 69in in diameter, with a 48in 

stroke. Steam is supplied by five single ended steel boilers 15ft 6in in diameter, and 11ft 6in long, having 13 furnaces, and working at a pressure 

of 180lb per square inch under forced draught. Capt. R. C. Clifford is in command, other officers being: Mr Lebrocq, chief officer; Mr Wingate, 

second; Mr Beadsham, third; chief engineer, Mr Blair, second, Mr Turner; third, Mr Roe; fourth, Mr Bartholomew; fifth, Mr Stark; chief refrigerator, 

Mr Sneddon; second, Mr Williams. The second officer reports that the steamer left London on October 10, had strong head winds across the Bay 

of Biscay, followed by strong S.E. trades to arrival at Capetown on November 2. Left again the same day, and made a moderate weather passage 

of 19 days to Melbourne, arriving there on the 22 nd . Left the latter port on the 25 th , and arrived at Sydney on the 27 th , finally leaving for Auckland on 

December 2, and arriving as above. The ‘Kaikoura’ and the ‘Westralia’ were in company for the greater part of the passage from Sydney, the first 

named boat reaching port half an hour earlier. After discharging the ‘Kaikoura’ proceeds South to complete her discharge and take in cargo for 

London. 

Evening Post 20 Nov 1917 The Late Capt. Clifford 

News has been received in Wellington of the death in England on 10 th November of Capt. Reginald Claudius Clifford, of the New Zealand Shipping 

Company’s service. Capt. Clifford was the son of the late Major Clifford, a veteran of the Indian Army, who settled in the Lower Hutt many years 

ago. As a boy, deceased was sent home from India to an uncle in the South of Ireland, where he was educated, afterwards being an apprentice on 

the sailing ships of John Allan, of London, and was for some years in the Indian trade. On receiving his certificate, he came to New Zealand as 

second mate of a sailing vessel, but resigned at Auckland, and was engaged in the coastal service, after which he was on the Government 

steamer ‘Stella’ for some time. In the early ‘80s Capt. Clifford joined the New Zealand Shipping Company’s service, being second officer in the old 

sailor ‘Turakina’ and first officer on the old ‘Ruahine’ under Captain Bone, now marine superintendent of that company. His first command was the 

‘Otarama’, and he was subsequently in turn master of the ‘Wakatane’, the old ‘Ruapehu’, ‘Rimutaka’, and the present ‘Ruapehu’. He was in 

command of the latter vessel when the Main Body of the Expeditionary Force left New Zealand, and he also took away the Tunnelling Corps. 

Failing health necessitated Capt. Clifford’s resignation in England, and a genial, careful, and well-respected commander was lost from the service. 



National Probate Calendar 1919 

Reginald Claudius Clifford of the Croft Ropley Hampshire captain New Zealand shipping company died 10 November 1917 Probate London 3 April 

to Elizabeth Clifford widow. Effects £536 19s 10d 

1936 Kensington Electoral Register, London – Holland Ward – 12 St. Mary Abbot’s Terrace 

No.5743 Clara Margaret Clifford (Rw, Dw); No.5744 George Staunton Clifford (R, O); No.5745 Mary Donoghue (Rw, -) 

1937 St Marylebone Electoral Register, Westminster – 105 Gloucester Place 

No. 3354 Clara Margaret Clifford (Rw, Dw); No.3355 George Stanton Clifford (R, O); No.3356 John Francis Macgregor (R, -) 

Indian Tales 2 - http://www.koi-hai.com/indiantales2.html 

On the March – Regiment on the March in India in the early Seventies by Annie Margaret Clifford (1904) 

Annie Margaret Fitzsimons married 13 Feb 1851 Richard Cormick Clifford, an officer of the 50 th Foot, who had transferred to the East India 

Company’s Punjab Army in 1849. She was married at the village of Oulart, just outside Wexford, just before her 20 th birthday, and is recorded as 

being of “Glencullen.” She died in India at a place called Kokikanal, near Madras in 1904. At the time of her marriage Richard was of the 10 th 

Regiment of Foot.. Children: 

William Henry Clifford. Born 1851 Oulart. Died 1941 at George, Cape Province, South Africa 

Reginald Claudius Francis Clifford. Born 1858. Officer in the New Zealand Shipping Company. Died at Cheam, Surrey 

Richard Thomas Albert Clifford. Born 1860 Devonport, lived in Normanby and married a French girl. He is known to have had a son called Richard 

Charles Claudius Clifford. Born 1862 Lucknow, India. Died 1937 in London. Unmarried. 

George Staunton Clifford. Born 1867 Darjeeling, India. Married 1898 in Rangoon. Died 1946. Children lived in Australia. 

Edward Cormack Clifford. Born c1864. Killed in the Boer War. 

Further references 

Archives NZ Wellington Probate – Reference AAOM 6029 1155 

Probate No. 1155 granted 15 March 1878. Richard Cormido CLIFFORD, Major 7 th Foot, died 3 March 1878. Hutt. 

Appendices to the Journal of the House of Representatives 1903 Section H15 p25 Reginald Claudius CLIFFORD [Marine or Machinery Report] 

Archives NZ Wellington Probate – Reference AAOM 6029 27419 

Probate No. 27419 granted 29 Aug 1919. Reginald Claudius CLIFFORD, Captain NZSC Wellington.

Richard Cormick CLIFFORD - Hutt Valley Biographical Index and ...

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