16315 Private Frank Clayton
8th(Service)Battalion
Devonshire Regiment
1st July 1916
Born in Rochdale in 1897. He was baptised on 31/01/1897.
His parents were Robert Clayton(1862-1932) and
Lavina Woodhouse (08/10/1863-1944). They married on 22/09/1888.
Frank had 2 brothers; Harold(born in 1889) and
Herbert(1901-1901).
He also had 2 sisters; Ada(born in 1894) and Nellie (born on 06/09/1907).
In the 1901 census the family were recorded as living at 1 Bridge Street Castleton Manchester. Robert was working in a cotton mill.
In the 1911 census it showed that the family had moved to Rochdale and were living at 12 Ivor Street. Robert was now a gas engineman in an iron foundry and was employed as a cop packer in a cotton mill(responsible for loading empty bobbins on the machines and removing them when full of thread).
He enlisted in Rochdale on 09/04/1915 and his date of disembarkation into France was on 02/09/1915.
He was killed in action on 01/07/1916.
Frank was awarded the 1914-1915 Star ,
the 1914-1918 British War and Allied Victory medals.
Rochdale Observer Saturday 15 July 1916
“Castleton Men Killed
Information has been received of the death of private Frank Clayton (Devonshire Regiment) late of
12 Ivor Street Newtown, Castleton, through wounds received in action on July 1st during the great advance in France.
As his uncle had received a field card dated June 30th saying that Clayton was well, the news of his death caused a greater shock. He was 19 years of age and, having enlisted on April 9th, 1915, had been in France about 12 months. Before enlistment he worked as a packer for the Mars Mill Ltd. He was a member of the United Methodist Church Sunday school, Castleton. A married brother of the deceased is now in training.”
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Rochdale Observer Saturday 29 July 1916
Clayton – In loving memory of Private Frank Clayton killed in action July 1st, 1916 aged 19 years.
Asleep in Jesus, blessed sleep
From which none ever wake to weep;
A calm and undisturbed repose
Unbroken by the last of foes
Had he asked us, well we know
We should cry,” O spare this blow”;
Yeas, with streaming tears should pray,
“Lord, we love him let him stay.”
From his loving Father, Mother and sisters Nellie and Ada.
Mr and Mrs Clayton and family desire to thank all relatives and friends for kind expressions of sympathy shown them in their sad bereavement – 12 Ivor Street Rochdale.
His warfare o’er, his battle fought.
His victory won, though dearly bought;
His fresh, young life could not be saved.
He slumbers now in a soldier’s grave.
Fondly remembered by his brother and sister-in-law Bertha.
Harold served with the 3rd Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers as Private 35202. He survived the war but was discharged out on 30/01/1919 suffering from the effects of gas with a 20% degree of disability. He was awarded a pension of 5/6 a week from 31/01/1919 to be reviewed in 26 weeks.
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