Eustace Arthur Clay
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
He was the son of Arthur (coal contractor) and Mary Clay of 13, James Street, Kimberley and the brother of Mary and Florence Clay. In 1912 Eustace migrated to New Zealand on board SS Corinthic from London bound for Wellington via Ireland, USA, and Australia. The one-way fare was £34 (£2715 at 2014 prices). The Corinthic was operated by the White Star Line. He settled in Christchurch (C/o Farmers Co-op Garage, Cashel Street).
On the 14th of January 1916 he enlisted in the New Zealand Army Service Corps. He was 5'5" tall, 154lbs (11st) with fresh complexion, grey eyes, brown hair. He was a Methodist. On the 6th of May 1916 he left Wellington on the Troop Ship HMNZT 52 Mokoia bound for the Middle East as part of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. On the 22nd June 1916 - He disembarked in Suez. On the 11th Sept 1918 - Eustace was fined 72 hours pay for 'Riding on the old Roman Road in Cairo'. He died from Maleria at the 34th Casualty Clearing Station, Jerusalem. On the 13th of October 1918 he was initially buried in the British Cemetery, Jerusalem in Grave 4 Section C and later re-interred in the Commonwealth Jerusalem War Cemetery, Mount of Olives, Palestine Grave Q.15
Eustace Clay’s Military Record is held in the Archives New Zealand, National Office, Wellington Ref: R21894989. The digitised NZ Military record for CLAY can be viewed at: http://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE13955400 This page researched by Tony Stubbs who also supplied the photographs
