No.8774, Private, Joseph Paul CLAYDON
Aged 19
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Born in Bury St.Edmunds in 1896 (2nd qtr 4a:803) son of Henry Charles and Cordelia CLAYDON (née BRANCH)
1901 census...Aged 5, he was at 38 Westgate Street with his parents; brother Arthur(newsboy), Walter, Charles L [9],Joseph P [5] and Alfred T [11 months]; sisters Alice, Emily E, Ida E, Annie R [7] and Rosalie [2]. The new siblings all born in Bury St.Edmunds. Brother David was at the Suffolk Regiment Depot 1911 census...Aged 15, a carrier, he was at 61 Whiting Street, Bury St.Edmunds with his parents, sisters Emily Eleanor (at home), Ada (servant) and Rosalie Lydia; brothers David (picture show attendant), Charles L (newsagent) and Alfred Thomas. His brother Walter died in UK in 1915 see here His brother David died at home in 1918 see here The family were later at 53 Guidhall Street, Bury St.Edmunds. |
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He enlisted in Bury St.Edmunds. "Soldiers Died" has his date of death all wrong, they have 9th April 1915 from somewhere. That date was actually originally on his "Soldiers personal effects" entry but deleted and the correct date entered.
The 2nd Suffolks were at Le Cateau during the retreat from Mons. Having reached Le Cateau the Suffolks received an order to stand and fight, which they did, despite being in the most unsuitable defensive position. They, and the Argyll Highlanders, fought for around nine hours before being overwhelmed by the Germans. No-one seems to admit to issuing the first order for them not to retreat, but their heroic endeavours held the Germans long enough for much of the British Division to escape. The battalion suffered over 720 casualties, killed, wounded or missing. CWGC records show that they had 74 killed on 26th, only 7 having known graves.
click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
