John Thomas Hushen Clayton

Pte. Clayton attested on 17/04/1916 at Derby and was posted to 13th Bn., Sherwood Foresters. He was discharged on 16/05/1916 as he was underage. being only 16 yrs. 9 months old. He was called up and sent to France once he reached the correct age. During the Battle of Albert on 22/08/1918 the 7th Battalion, The Buffs attempted to take the western slopes of Tara Hill in front of Albert, but without artillery support the battalion was hit by a deluge of enemy fire and suffered such heavy casualties that they could no longer move forward. It was on this day that Pte. Clayton was killed in action. He was buried at Franvillers Communal Cemetery Extension.

In memoriam published 22nd August 1919 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- “CLAYTON. – In loving memory of my dear son and only child, Private Clayton (Tommy Ushon), East Kents., died of wounds August 22nd, 1918, aged 19, only eight days in France, buried Franvillers. Supreme sacrifice. – Sadly missed by his sorrowing mother, his baby sonnie, step-father, grandmother, aunt Jane, uncle Bill, Charlie, fiancée Lizzie.” Above is courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918.