The Invergordon Archive
No: 318 Contributor: Invergordon Museum and Heritage Centre Year: 1916
Town Crier of Invergordon
Jack 'The Yank' arrived in Invergordon during World War 1 under mysterious circumstances.
Picture added on 13 May 2004
I remember my father telling me Jack the Yank’s name was Delbert Clifford and he lived in the Dooket (a tall, sandstone building behind J.E. MacDonald’s shop).
There was a story going round that he had served time in jail in America. If anyone upset him or tempted him, he would say “I’ll swing for you boy!”
Alistair MacDonald (Highland Archive Centre) found out that Delbert resided in Invergordon from 1915 until his death in 1938. In earlier years he went under the name Dervil Clifford. He resided at 53 Clyde Street (The Dooket) and latterly The Backhouse, Rose Cottage on the High Street.
In the 1921 census Delbert was 45, therefore he must have been born in 1876. Alistair found he was born in Michigan, USA.
On his death a photo (the same as above) and tribute were printed in the local paper, which read:
“A well-known Invergordon resident dead.
Invergordon has lost a familiar figure by the death of Mr Delbert Clifford who was the town’s bellman, billposter and newsvendor. He came to this country many years ago from America, was familiarly known as “Jack the Yank” was proud of his nationality. A keen traveller, he walked from Land’s End to John O’ Groats several times besides visiting many places in Ireland and Wales”.
There was a story going round that he had served time in jail in America. If anyone upset him or tempted him, he would say “I’ll swing for you boy!”
Alistair MacDonald (Highland Archive Centre) found out that Delbert resided in Invergordon from 1915 until his death in 1938. In earlier years he went under the name Dervil Clifford. He resided at 53 Clyde Street (The Dooket) and latterly The Backhouse, Rose Cottage on the High Street.
In the 1921 census Delbert was 45, therefore he must have been born in 1876. Alistair found he was born in Michigan, USA.
On his death a photo (the same as above) and tribute were printed in the local paper, which read:
“A well-known Invergordon resident dead.
Invergordon has lost a familiar figure by the death of Mr Delbert Clifford who was the town’s bellman, billposter and newsvendor. He came to this country many years ago from America, was familiarly known as “Jack the Yank” was proud of his nationality. A keen traveller, he walked from Land’s End to John O’ Groats several times besides visiting many places in Ireland and Wales”.
Added by Duncan MacLeod on 08 September 2023
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David