Clifton Inglis Stockwell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Clifton Inglis Stockwell
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| Born | 1879 |
| Died | 4 December 1954 |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
 British Army |
| Awards | CB CMG DSO Mentioned in despatches x9 |
| Relations | Brother in law: Percy Thuillier Westmorland |
Clifton Inglis Stockwell (1879 – 4 December 1953) was a brave British soldier. He became a Brigadier-General in the British Army. He led the 164th Infantry Brigade from 1916 to 1919. He is also famous for helping to arrange a special football match during the Christmas truce in 1914.
Contents
Early Life and Training
Clifton Inglis Stockwell was born in 1879. He was the oldest son of Colonel C. de N. O. Stockwell. His father was also a soldier in the Lincolnshire Regiment. Clifton went to school at Haileybury. After that, he trained to become an officer at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst.
A Soldier's Journey
After finishing his training, Stockwell joined the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers. He served with his battalion in faraway places like China and India.
World War I Begins
In September 1914, the First World War started. Stockwell quickly joined the fighting. He was with the 2nd Battalion at the first Battle of the Aisne.
The Christmas Truce
In December 1914, Stockwell was serving near the Belgian border at Frelinghien. Something amazing happened there. He was the British officer who agreed to a Christmas truce football match. He played with a German officer named Baron Maximilian von Sinner. They even shared a Christmas drink together. Stockwell wrote about this special moment in his diary. This diary is now kept by the Royal Welsh Fusiliers.
Leading in Battle
Stockwell continued to lead A Company of the 2nd Battalion until March 1915. Then, he moved to lead A Company of the 1st Battalion. In May 1915, he led his company to capture Canadian Orchard at the Battle of Festubert. For his bravery, he was mentioned in official reports and received the DSO award.
In September 1915, he became a Brigade-Major for the 59th Infantry Brigade. He was again mentioned in reports in January 1916. In February 1916, he took command of the 1st Battalion of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers. He led them in several important attacks:
- Fricourt on 1 July 1916
- Triangle Trench on 4 July 1916
- Bazentin-le-Petit on 14 July 1916
- Delville Wood and Ale, Hop and Beer Alleys on 14 August 1916
- The attack on Guinchy on 3 September 1916
He was mentioned in reports again in July 1916.
Commanding a Brigade
Later, Stockwell was chosen to command the 164th Infantry Brigade, which was part of the 55th Division. He led his brigade during an attack on the Gord Line and Gueudecourt on 27 September 1916. He was mentioned in reports in January 1917. He also led his brigade in the Battle of Passchendaele and the Battle of Cambrai. For his service, he was mentioned in reports again and received the CMG award in January 1918.
Stockwell continued to command the 164th Infantry Brigade. In April 1918, he successfully defended Givenchy and captured 700 enemy soldiers. He was mentioned in reports once more. In September 1918, he led a surprise attack on Givenchy. His troops captured the enemy position and chased the retreating enemy from La Bassée to Tournai. They also helped force a crossing of the Haute Dendre Canal.
On 9 November 1918, just before the war ended, he put together a special mobile group called ‘Stockwell's Force’. This group reached a point near Enghien on Armistice Day. He was awarded the CB and mentioned in reports again.
After the War
After the war, Stockwell continued his military career. He became the Commandant of the Senior Officers' School, Belgaum. He also commanded the 11th Indian Infantry Brigade in Ahmednagar from 1930 to 1931.
Family Life
In 1908, Clifton Stockwell married Hilda Rose Westmorland. She passed away before him. They had one son and two daughters. In 1944, Stockwell married Madeline, who was the widow of Lt-Colonel W.C. Critchley-Salmonson. Clifton Stockwell passed away on 4 December 1953.
