Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant

Awarded on:

June 9th, 1942

Recommendation:
"On 11.5.1941 an unexploded parachute mine was reported as having dropped on a two-storey building in the Leather Market at Bermondsey. The mine was eventually found completely covered by debris, and Lieutenant Cliff had to make his way through and below this debris to reach it. When he was about to commence operations another mine or bomb detonated nearby, completely burying him in wreckage and rubble. Lieutenant Cliff realised full well that this detonation was more than liable to have started the clockwork fuse in the mine with which he was dealing. With the greatest difficulty he managed to escape from under the debris by which he was buried, and immediately continued his operations on the mine which he successfully rendered safe. A further instance of the difficulties and onerous conditions under which he was working is provided by the fact that it was necessary to demolish the walls of the building before the mine could be removed.

On 2.7.1941, a "G" type Mine dropped at Leysdown, Isle of Sheppey. "G" Type Mines are dropped without parachutes, and, if they do not explode on impact, nearly always bury themselves deep in the ground. Moreover they contain not only a magnetic unit, which is presumed to be alive, but also an anti-handling device operated by a photo-electric cell. It is therefore necessary to work at the bottom of a deep hole and in darkness. In this instance the mine was badly damaged by its fall, making it even more dangerous, and was buried 24 feet down in clay soil. Lieutenant Cliff found that the clay had found its way under the cover of the mine and had shorn off the top plate of the switch. In consequence he worked on through a series of electric shocks and sparks due to the damaged switch, not knowing whether these were going to detonate the mine. He eventually removed the damaged switch by sheering off the six screws which held it. He then had to remove the bolts holding the magnetically alive unit with a hacksaw owing to their damaged condition. However, after nearly a month of hard and hazardous work he succeeded in rendering the mine safe.

Between August to October, Lieutenant Cliff also successfully dealt with three other mines in the Thames Estuary District, which were endangering oil tanks at Thames Haven. These mines were covered with water and mud and were buried about 8 to 16 feet down. In each instance coffer dams had to be erected and the water pumped out, and each took between a fortnight and a month to recover. These mines were particularly dangerous, as previous attempts had been made to countermine them.

Lieutenant Cliff was assisted throughout by Lieutenant Charles Graham Tanner, R.N.V.R. as "Learner", and the excavating and timbering was done by Lieutenant Lombard and 22 B.D.S Group, Section 216, to whom the greatest credits were due. In dealing with these incidents, Lieutenant Cliff showed the highest qualities of courage, resource, and devotion to duty'"

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Acting Lieutenant

Unit:

Royal Australian Naval Volunteer Reserve

Awarded on:

November 24th, 1942

Citation:
"For gallantry and undaunted devotion to duty."

Second GM awarded as a bar for on the ribbon of the first GM.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant

Unit:

Royal Australian Naval Volunteer Reserve

Awarded on:

September 28th, 1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Acting Temporary Lieutenant Commander

Unit:

Royal Australian Naval Volunteer Reserve

Awarded on:

April 18th, 1944

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)