No.13929, Lance Corporal, Victor DRAYTON
Aged 33
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Dolphus Victor Haime Drayton was born in Isleham on 13th May 1884 (Newmarket Q2-1884 3B:580), son of Eliza DRAYTON
In 1889 Eliza married Elijah BROWN when his first wife Harriet died. 1891 census...His mother Eliza had three children Dolphus Victor Haime DRAYTON (1884), Harriet Florence Haime DRAYTON (1887) and Clementina Violet Haime DRAYTON (1888), but none can be found on this census as Drayton but all are now BROWN. From the use of HAIME as a given name for all three children, it is possible that this was the name of their father. For this census, Victor D. [6] was at East End House, East End, Isleham, with his stepfather Elijah BROWN [36] beer house keeper, born Hilgay, Norfolk; his mother Eliza [25] and three children from Elijah's 1st marriage :-John W BROWN [15] beer house keeper, Henry BROWN [13] beer house keeper, and Priscilla [10]. Then Eliza's three children and her daughter by Elijah, Ethel BROWN (5 months). All except Elijah were born in Isleham. 1901 census...Aged 16, a farmers son, he was at Fen Bank, Isleham with Elijah now a farmer, his mother Eliza, Henry (farmers son), Harriet and Ethel. In addition there were now three more boys, David [6] Robert [3] and Percy [1]. All BROWN and all born in Isleham. 1911 census...Aged 27, now recorded as Victor Drayton BROWN, farm labourer, he was at Fen Bank, Isleham with Elijah and his mother, sister Ethel, brothers David (farm labourer), Robert (grocer's errand boy) and Percy. There were two additions to the family, Archie [7] and Dulcie [4]. In quarter 1- 1915 (Newmarket 3B:793), as Dolphus V. DRAYTON, he married Blanche Eva COLLINS [3-6-1888]. Their daughter Daphne Victoria Maude was born on 19th June 1917, a month after Victor's death. Here there is some confuson as the pension card says she was born 7th June. Blanche's address is given as Elderberry House, East End Road, Isleham David Brown, his half brother is also named on the war memorial ( here recorded as David Brown son of Elijah )... see here |
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Serving as Victor DRAYTON, he enlisted in Newmarket in September 1914. After fighting in front of Cerisy the 8th Suffolks had three weeks in Divisional Reserve. The probability then is that he was hit by a sniper. He died in 32 Casualty Clearing Station which was at Warlincourt February to July 1917. His headstone carries the date of death as 15th May, his medal index card has 22nd. Here we use the CWGC date (also on the pension card). |
photo: Rodney Gibson
click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details