Clifford Arnold – Welch Regiment, 1st Battalion

 Private Clifford Arnold – Welch Regiment, 1^st Battalion

Birth and Family Background

Clifford Arnold was born in 1914 at Swansea. He was the son of Richard Arnold and Annie Sullivan, who were married in 1904 at Swansea.

1921 Census 

The 1921 Census records the Arnold family living at 18 Evans Terrace, Swansea. Richard Arnold (36) was employed as a Coal Trimmer with Chamber of Cormore, although at the time of the census he was recorded as out of work. His wife Annie (36) was also present. Their children were Alfred W. J. (13) and Clifford (7), both attending school, along with Doreen (5), Iris (1), and Mildred, aged four months. Also residing in the household was a widowed boarder, Annie Thorne (71).

Marriage

In 1936, Clifford Arnold married Mary Jenkins.

There is no known entry for Clifford Arnold in the 1939 Register.

Military Service

Clifford Arnold served in the British Army as a Private with the Welch Regiment, 1st Battalion.

Between 28^th January and 20^th May 1942, the 1^st Battalion, Welch Regiment, was serving in the Western Desert Campaign as part of the British Eighth Army in North Africa. During this period, the battalion was engaged in holding defensive positions, conducting patrols, and taking part in skirmishes as Allied forces withdrew eastwards toward the Gazala Line following renewed Axis offensives. Conditions were harsh, with extreme heat, sandstorms, and frequent enemy artillery and air attacks, and casualties were sustained not only in major actions but also through shellfire and patrol encounters, resulting in some deaths being recorded across extended date ranges.

Death and Commemoration

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission records that Private Clifford Arnold died between 28^th January and 20^th May 1942 while on active service.

He has no known grave, and his name is commemorated on the Alamein Memorial, Egypt, which honours Commonwealth servicemen who died in the North African Campaign and whose burial places are unknown.