John Clift

Architect John Clift served in World War I as a lieutenant in the Royal Engineers, before joining the newly formed RAF in 1918, where he became a major. He saw service in France with the Engineers, and received the OBE in the 1919 New Year’s Honours list.

Clift represented Great Britain in the small-bore rifle event at the 1924 Paris Olympics, but his finest moment as a sports shooter was in 1933 when he won the Daily Mail Cup at Bisley. He was president of the Cheltenham rifle club and also coached his daughter Veronica to become an excellent shot, and at the age of 19 she was Gloucestershire county champion.

Clift had many interests. He was a keen sailor and was also interested in archaeology, and in 1908 was appointed honorary secretary of the British Archaeological Society. He was also a member of the Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England). Clift was also interested in various aspects of art, but particularly enjoyed wood cuttings and black and white pen and ink drawings. He was the honorary treasurer, then secretary, of the Cotswold Art Club.