4846 Private James Clayton
7th Battalion Gordon Highlanders
13th November 1916
Born on 17/07/1890 in Pudsey, Leeds, Yorkshire. He was christened on 20/07/1890.
His parents were Thomas Henry Clayton (23/08/1859-26/07/1926 and Sarah Ann Webster (1860-23/12/1910). They were married on 29/07/1885. His mother died on 23/12/1910 and his father would later go on to remarry to Mary Jane Westmoreland(born in 1867).
James was a twin, though sadly his brother Henry died after only 3 days of life on 20/07/1890. He also had a sister Maria (20/11/1892-1983).
In the 1891 census, the family were recorded as living at 16 Bankhouse Lane, Pudsey. Thomas was employed as a tailor, a trade he would stay in all his working life.
The 1901 census recorded that the family had moved to 4 Clarendon Buildings, Littlemoor Road, Pudsey.
By the 1911 census the family had moved again, to 11 Clarendon Buildings, Littlemoor Road, Pudsey. James was now working with his father as a tailor.
James enlisted in Leeds and was killed in action on 13/11/1916.
He was awarded the British War 1914-1918 and Allied Victory medals.
Yorkshire Evening Post Monday 27 November 1916
Yorkshire Soldiers who have fallen on the Battlefield
Pte James Clayton (26), Gordon Highlanders, son of Mr T.H. Clayton, tailor, Clarendon Buildings, Pudsey, was killed in action November 13th.