Clifford Vallis was born in Pimlico, London, England, on March 10, 1893, the son of William George Vallis and Kate (nee Fanner) Vallis who, like her husband, was from England. George had one brother, Herbert William (born 1897). On September 29, 1910, at the age of seventeen, Clifford immigrated to Canada, arriving from London, England to the Port of Quebec aboard the passenger ship Lake Erie. In 1911, Clifford and his brother Herbert were living with their mother Kate in Toronto and lodging with George and Esther McBride. One year later, Clifford’s father, William, would pass away in March of 1912 in Toronto.
Clifford enlisted at Camp Borden on July 17, 1916, with the 218th Battalion. At the time, he was living with his mother Kate at 253 Devine Street, Sarnia. He listed his occupation as shipping clerk; his marital status as single. He also recorded that he had prior militia experience, four years (1910-1913) with the Queens Rifles, Toronto. Clifford became a member of the Army, Canadian Infantry, Eastern Ontario Regiment, 213th Battalion, with the rank of Private.
On December 20, 1917, Clifford Vallis would lose his life. He died at Wolseley Barracks Hospital, in London, Ontario. The circumstances of his death were officially listed as, Nephritis – Discharge at Quebec, 15-4-17 but re-attested with M.H.C.C. for further medical treatment May 10th, 1917. Given every care and attention. Twenty-four year old Clifford Vallis is buried in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, London, Ontario, Plot Section X.R.1. On Clifford Vallis’s headstone are inscribed the words, At Rest. On the Sarnia cenotaph, his name is inscribed as H. Wallis.
SOURCES: A, B, C, D, E, F, L, N, 2C, 2D, 2G