Mick Clifford (rugby union)

Michael Clifford (28 April 1916 — 9 October 1942) was an Australian rugby union international.

Mick Clifford
Full nameMichael Clifford
Date of birth(1916-04-28)28 April 1916
Place of birthForbes, NSW, Australia
Date of death9 October 1942(1942-10-09) (aged 26)
Place of deathoff Terrigal, NSW, Australia
Rugby union career
Position(s) Fullback
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1938 Australia 1 (0)

Clifford was born in Forbes and attended Bathurst's St Stanislaus' College.[1]

A goal-kicking fullback, Clifford played first-grade for St. George and was capped once for the Wallabies, against the All Blacks at the Sydney Cricket Ground in 1938.[2] He was on the abandoned 1939–40 tour of Britain and Ireland with the Wallabies.[2] After a 100-point season with St. George in 1940, Clifford enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force.[2][3]

Clifford, who reached the rank of flight sergeant, was a Spitfire pilot with a Royal Air Force squadron during the war.[2] Back in Australia in 1942, he was killed in a training accident, while flying over Broken Bay near Terrigal.[2][4]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Tragic Death of Serg.-Pilot Mick Clifford". The Forbes Advocate. 13 October 1942. p. 1 – via National Library of Australia.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Michael Clifford". classicwallabies.com.au.
  3. ^ "Mick Clifford's Century Goal". The Sun. 14 July 1940. p. 5 (Sports Section) – via National Library of Australia.
  4. ^ "Mick Clifford Rugby Star Dies On Duty". The Sun. 11 October 1942. p. 7 – via National Library of Australia.
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