CLAYDEN, Arthur


No.21322, Private, Arthur CLAYDEN
Aged 21


1st Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers
formerly 9832 West Yorkshire Regiment.
Killed in Action on Saturday, 20th November 1915


James Arthur Clayden was born in Steeple Bumpstead (Risbridge Q2-1894 4A:686), son of Charles and Harriet CLAYDEN (née BACON).
Clayden or Claydon can be found as the family name.

1901 census...Aged 6, he was at Churchfield, Steeple Bumpstead with his father Charles CLAYDEN [48] farm labourer; his mother Harriet [40]; brothers Harry [14] a farm labourer, John [11], Sidney [9] and Stephen [4]; sister Alice [2]. All were born in Steeple Bumpstead.

1911 census...Aged 16, a milkman, he was at North Street, Steeple Bumpstead with his parents, brothers Harry and Steven and sister Alice

CWGC have the address of his mother later as The Chest (should be The Chase), Steeple Bumpstead.

His brother Frank Stephen Clayden was killed serving in France in the Suffolk Regiment in 1916, see here

and brother George Thomas Clayden was killed serving in France in the Rifle Brigade in 1918. see here



Arthur enlisted in York. "Soldiers Died" has him born in Cambridge. Another man who probably should have been awarded the clasp to his 1914 Star. Certainly in France in time to have come within range of the enemy guns, but relatives often did not know they had to claim the clasp and it was not even instituted until 1919. His West Yorkshire Regiment number indicates enlistment around early 1912.

War Diary:-
"20th Nov. In Dickebusch. All companies out on fatigues. "W" Coy bring shelled by enemy neat Scottish Wood. 2 men killed, 1 wounded."





photo: Rodney Gibson



Arthur Clayden is buried in Vormezeele Enclosures 1 and 2 , grave 3:B:7
originally in grave A:15 at Voormezeele No.4, until 1922 when Voormezeele was closed.

click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details


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