William Henry Clayton
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
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William Henry Clayton was born in 1894 the son of Henry, a lace curtain maker, and Jane Clayton (née Wilkinson). His father was born in 1865 at Newton Le Willows, Lancashire, his mother in 1865 at Sheffield. Married at Nottingham in 1889, they had four children one dying in infancy. William’s surviving siblings, both born at Lenton, were Elsie b.1891 and Doris Dinah b.1896. In 1901 they lived at 1 Perth Terrace Willoughby Street Lenton and in 1911 at 13 Radford Marsh Old Radford (both Nottingham).
Clayton enlisted 7th September 1914 at Nottingham. He was posted to 10th Battalion King’s Royal Rifle Corps and began his training at Winchester Depot 10th September 1914. He landed in France 30th July 1915. He was promoted to Lance Corporal on 18th April 1917 and on 20th August 1917 admitted to 18th General Hospital, France, with trench fever and returned to England for treatment. He was discharged from hospital 18th September 1917 and returned to the Western Front 30th October 1917 where he joined 13th battalion King’s Royal Rifle Corps. He was gassed 23rd March 1918. He was promoted to Lance Sergeant 28th August 1918 and died of wounds fifteen days later. His army service record reveals a long history of absence, insolence and drunkenness during his service.
Fifteen Ravine British Cemetery Villers-Plouich Grave Reference: IV E 11. His award of the Military Medal was announced in the London Gazette on 2nd April 1918. His death notice was published 1st November 1918 in the Nottingham Evening Post: “CLAYTON. – Killed in action, Septe. 12Th, 1918, Lce.-Sergt. W. H. Clayton, M.M., King's Royal Rifles, beloved and only son of Jane Clayton, 13 Radford Marsh, Radford, after four years' service. A noble life sacrificed. – From sorrowing mother, sister, Fiancée Fanny, aunts, and uncles.” Notice courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918.
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