The Military Life
Military service at its best is personal sacrifice so others can be secure. Liffitons have served in the military and have served in many other ways too, in medicine, education, and in spiritual ministry. The special sacrifices of those who serve during war and in the military make Liffiton Family History an appropriate place to begin recognizing Liffiton service.
Before the Great War
Second Maori War - New ZealandTrooper Edward Nolloth Liffiton (1843-1923), known as Edwin, first joined the Rifle Volunteers and then the Wanganui Volunteer Cavalry to fight in the Second Maori War. His application for the New Zealand medal indicates "numerous times" between 1862 and 1866, he was in the field of fire. He served in the campaigns of Generals Cameron and Chute, and participated in the December 24-25, 1865 actions at Nukuaru (Tauranga-ika).
In civilian life Edwin Liffiton farmed up the Waitortora Valley near Wanganui, was a land agent, was a lay preacher, and served as mayor of Wanganui for sixty-three days. Liffiton Street in Wanganui is named after him. His gravestone in Wanganui's Heads Road cemetery reads "Veteran Volunteer Cavalry."
1870 Fenian Raid - CanadaAccording to The Fenian Raid medal role, C A Liffitton (with two t's!), who was Charles Albert Liffiton, earned the medal for the 1870 defense of Canada. He was a private in the 3rd Victoria Rifles. In 1866, 1870, and 1871, Canada experienced raids from the United States by the Fenian Brotherhood, Irish sympathizers trying to pressure the British to leave Ireland. Although part of the 3rd Victoria Rifles fought at the Battle of Eccles Hill on May 25,1870, Pte. Liffiton was not identified with those who participated in the battle. That day Canada's military units were on high alert guarding roads, bridges, and railways, so he was probably so engaged. Charles Albert Liffiton (1849-1927) became an import broker and businessman in Montreal.
Before the Great War - CanadaPrior to World War I, Ernest James Liffiton and his brother in law, Edgar Ellis, played with the 3rd Victoria Rifles Bugle Band. Ernest Liffiton is known for playing professional hockey in the pre-National Hockey League era. He later worked for a steel company in Windsor, Ontario. Edgar Ellis and his wife, Ida Jessie Liffiton, lived in Montreal and later in Winnipeg.