Background
John Lifford was born June 25, 1881 in Fredericton, New Brunswick to David
Lifford and Ellen Hurley. According to documents obtained from the
Provincial Archives of New Brunswick, David and Ellen married one another
January 8, 1869 in Fredericton. Together, they would have four sons named
John, Harry, David, and Joseph, as well as two daughters named Nellie and
Elizabeth. Records also reveal that the family would have a residence in
downtown Fredericton on Regent Street. Newspapers point out that John’s
father, David, was a member of the Imperial Army with the 22nd Regiment and
was active locally with the military while his mother, Ellen, worked in the
home raising their six children. While few records exist to highlight
John’s early life in Fredericton, there are a few details in newspapers
revealing that he was working as a labourer and clerk in the area when he
met Jennie Roberts. It is unclear how long John and Jennie knew one another
prior to their marriage, however, together they would have two children
prior to the war named Thomas Elwood and Francis Ernest. One other child
would be born sometime during the war, as newspapers suggest that John and
Jennie would have three children despite birth records only confirming two
children prior to 1914. The family would live at 274 King Street.
When war broke out, all four sons would enlist for service, with John
formally enlisting March 31, 1915 in Saint John, New Brunswick with the
55th Battalion. According to his attestation form, he was described as
having blue eyes, dark brown hair, a medium complexion, while standing
approximately five feet eight inches tall. David would serve with a British
unit, while his other brothers, Harry and Joseph, would serve with Canadian
units while overseas. He was approximately thirty-seven years old. Given
the limited amount of time between enlisting and leaving to go over sees,
it is possible that he may not have seen his family again before he left.
Wartime Experience
On June 19, 1915, Private John Lifford embarked from Levis, Quebec aboard
the S.S. Corsican for England, arriving at Shorncliffe ten days later on
June 29. Upon arrival, John would transfer to the 12th Battalion for
training in England and then would be drafted to go to France as
reinforcement with the 4th Battalion five months later. However, in the
period of time leading up to him heading for the front, John’s record
illustrates some difficulties he may have been having with military
leadership. Although it was not uncommon, on two occasions he would be
admonished, the first time being given 42 days detention, and then while in
France he would be given 28 days detention for being improperly dressed and
intoxication. It appears that being away from his family may have taken a
toll on him, as were the experiences he was likely having while preparing
to go to northern France and southern Belgium. Also, it is worth noting
that he was in the same unit as his brother, Joseph, who had been
invalidated home as a result of injuries sustained in the winter of
1915-1916.
Despite these few difficulties he was having early on in the war, John
would have a good record for the remainder of his service as the 4th
Battalion shifted towards the Ypres Salient. As the allies prepared for the
Somme offensive that would begin in the summer of 1916, Private Lifford
would be just north in Belgium with his Canadian unit as they prepared for
attacks near Zillebeke and Hill 60 in June. While little is known of his
exact movements months prior to his death, according to his circumstances
of death record, John had been attached to the 1st Canadian Trench Mortar
Battery June 9, 1916 in the trenches at Hill 60, when was instantly killed
by the explosion of an enemy shell which burst close to him. In letters
later written home by fellow mates in his unit, friends would express their
grief in losing John and that they had “assisted in his burial service”.
Less than one year after arriving, John would leave behind his wife and
three young children, as well as his friends and extended family. He was
thirty-eight years old.
Lest We Forget
Private John Lifford is honoured on the Menin Gate in Ypres, Belgium.
According to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, John is one of
approximately 54, 896 names honoured for individuals who lost their lives
during service in Belgium and who have no known grave.