CLAYDON, William Walter


No.29693, Private, William Walter CLAYDON
Aged 28


8th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment
Died of his Wounds on Monday, 5th February 1917


William Walter CLAYDON was born in Haverhill (Risbridge Q2-1889 4A-654), son of Walter and Clara CLAYDON (née EVANS).

1891 census...Aged 2, he was at 2 Cross Row, High Street, Haverhill with his father Walter CLAYDON [32] silk weaver; his mother Clara [32] born Halstead; sister Florence [6]; brothers George [2] and Horace [4 months]. All except his mother were born in Haverhill.

1901 census...Aged 10, he was at 32 Eden Road, Haverhill with his widowed mother and sister Kate (Florence) (both now serge jacket makers) with brothers George and Horace. His father had died in 1900

1911 census...Aged 22, a hair weaver, he was at 32 Eden Road with his widowed mother (now jacker machinist); brother William (a railway clerk), married boarders William Percy WRIGHT [24] domestic groom born Stapleford and Florence Kate WRIGHT [26] (jacket machinist) and their daughter Caroline Florence [1]. These almost certainly Clara's daughter and son in law and her grand-daughter. 2 of Clara's 6 children had died


The South West Suffolk Echo of 24th February 1917 reported that:-
"Mrs. C. Claydon, of 32 Eden Road, Haverhill, has received official notification by telegram that her son, Pte. W. Claydon of the Bedfordshire Regiment, died on the 5th. inst. as result of gun-shot wound compound fracture of the skull, in 33 Casualty Clearing Station, France. Mrs. Claydon also received the following letter from the Captain commanding the Company of which the deceased was a member :- "I have rather a difficult task in writing to you tonight. I am afraid I have neither the skill nor the environment at present to enable me to express myself in anything but the bluntest way. This morning your son, Pte. W. A. Claydon was wounded in the head. The wound was fairly serious and we got him down to the Regimental doctor as soon as possible. I have since seen the doctor and he assured me that he is out of danger, although he looks rather bad now. I have some idea of the terrible anxiety of those who wait at home. Your suspense must be great, and I thought it might be easier for you to read a letter from me rather than to see a brief note in the newspaper. If you wish for any information that I can possibly give you please write. I shall be only too glad help. The officers and men join me in wishing your son a speedy recovery. "


He enlisted in Bury St. Edmunds. He died at No. 33 Casualty Clearing Station, Bethune

The battalion were in the line opposite the Hohenzollern redoubt

2 Feb 1917 - opposite Hohenzollern Redoubt Battn. relieved 2/York & Lancaster Regt in left subsector of 16 I.B. front opposite HOHENZOLLERN REDOUBT. A, B, & C Coys in front line & saps. D Coy in Support.
3 Feb 1917 Battn in line as above. Enemy snipers and machine guns very active. Casualties 1 O.R. killed, 2 O.R. wounded. Our snipers claim 3 hits.
4 Feb 1917 Battn in line as above. Enemy less aggressive except for trench mortars Casualties 1 O.R. killed.
5 Feb 1917 Battn in line as above. Our retaliation with 4.5 howitzers appears to have caused hostile TMs to stop. Casualties 1 O.R. killed 7 OR wounded.


Without his service records there is no way of being sure what day he was wounded.



photo: Rodney Gibson



William Walter Claydon is buried in Bethune Town Cemetery, grave 4:B:19
and commemorated in the Old Independent Church, Haverhill

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


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