Clifford  was born on 17th November 1905, the first son of Thomas Magnall (EM003) and Ruth Taylor.

The 1911 Census shows that Clifford was 5 years old and living with his parents and his maternal grandfather at 52 Woodbine Road in Burnley. His brother Tom was born later that year on 7th September 1911.

Clifford married Mary Josephine Henaghan on 4th February 1933 at St Mary of the Assumption, Burnley and they had a son, Peter, who was born 16 February 1936.

The 1939 Register shows that Clifford and Mary were living at 20 Wordsworth Street, just over the back from Woodbine Road. Clifford was working as a “Motor driver, goods, journey ???” (I can’t read the last few letters but it doesn’t look like journeyman) – his obituary says he was a driver with John Fearing & Sons. Mary was a “sewing machinist”.  Peter is shown as a 5 year old school boy.

During World War 2 I believe Clifford was  sergeant of E Company, Burnley Battalion of the Home Guard.

Clifford died in December 1943 at the “Sanatorium Meathop Westmorland”, a sanatorium for people suffering from tuberculosis, and was buried / cremated at Burnley Cemetry on 2 January 1944.

OBITUARY
MR. C. MAGNALL
The funeral took place last Monday at the Burnley Cemetery of Mr. Clifford Magnall, of 20, Wordsworth-street, who had been ailing for some time. A sergeant of “E” Company, Burnley battalion of the Home Guard, Mr. Magnall was a popular N.C.O., and had done excellent work with the company, where he acted as bombing instructor. Prior to his illness he had been employed as a driver with John Fearing & Sons. Of cheerful disposition, he will be greatly missed by a large circle of friends. He is survived by a wife and two children. At the funeral the 29th Battalion Home Guard were represented by Capt. Walters, and Capt, Lockwood represented the Cadet Force. Members of “E” Company acted as bearers. T. Noonan and Sons were the undertakers

Burnley Express 8 January 1944

[Last updated 21 Nov 2023]