Clifford Brunswick Harley

Corporal, Royal Engineers (Motor Cyclist Section)

Age 15, Class V A: 'Has developed wonderfully, wants to go and will power yet.'

Clifford Brunswick Harley lived at 60 Holmdene Avenue, Herne Hill with his parents, William and Ada, and his step-brother, Gingham before the outbreak of war. He left Alleyn’s in 1913 and later found work as a clerk before deciding to enlist in the British Expeditionary Force in May 1916. After being declared as medically fit for service, Clifford applied to be assigned to the Royal Engineers (Motor Cyclist Section). Before joining the MCS, recruits had to have their motorcycles inspected and their mounted skills assessed before being declared as a suitable candidate. Clifford passed this inspection and was promoted to Corporal on June 22^nd 1916. He served overseas on the Western Front with the RE as a dispatch rider and delivered urgent orders and messages between Head-quarters and military units. Clifford served with his regiment until the end of the war.