No.8612, Private, William Charles CLAYDON
Aged 18
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William Charles CLAYDON was born in Haverhill (Risbridge Q3-1896 4A:731), son of Susannah CLAYDON. His mother married Frank CHAPMAN
(Linton Q3-1915).
1901 census...Aged 4, he was at 48 Primrose Hill with his uncle James CLAYDON [41] tailor's presser; aunt Christiannah [40] cotton weaver; cousins Harry J [20] machine winder, cotton, Alice [17] cotton weaver and widowed grandmother Harriett CLARKE [79] born Castle Camps. All except his grandmother were born in Haverhill. His mother Susannah [35] a cotton weaver, was a patient at Addenbrookes Hospital Convalescent Home, Dovercourt, Essex 1911 census...Aged 14, a rope spinner, he was at 3 Crowland Road with his mother Susannah CLAYDON [45] single, a drabbett weaver born Haverhill |
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He enlisted in Colchester, his number indicating around December 1912, he must have stretched his age somewhat.
After the previous fighting around Ypres the battalion was severely weakened, mustering less than 400 men for the next attack. The battalion had fought long and hard on the 24th to take Bellewaarde Farm but despite heavy casualties had failed. On the 25th they were ordered to attack again, to take the position at all costs. This time they started from Witte Poort Farm as their original start point was considered impracticable now. They came under very heavy fire and were held up, men were falling in heaps everywhere, the attack had once again failed. One small party did press on and dug in, but were forced to retire. When they were eventually relieved at night, there were only 3 officers and 181 other ranks left. In the space of five weeks the battalion had lost 1,000 men. CWGC figures show that the killed numbered 43, not one has a known grave.
photo: Commonwealth War Graves Commission click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
