Trafford

Born at Rostherne during the June quarter 1895 in the Altrincham R.D. -
ref: 8a/204, the son of Thomas & Nellie Clayton (nee Taberer).

1901 Census - Old Hall, Rostherne.  Son - aged: 6 - born: Rostherne.   
Head of household - Thomas Clayton - Married - aged: 31 - occ: Estate Clerk
- born: Knutsford.    Also Nellie Clayton - aged: 31 - born: Altrincham.  
Plus 3 siblings.

1911 Census - Yew Tree Cottages, Rostherne.   Son - aged: 16 - occ: Estate
Clerk - born: Mobberley.  Head of household - Thomas Clayton - Married -
aged: 41 - occ: Estate Clerk - born: Knutsford.    Also Nellie Clayton -
aged: 41 - born: Altrincham.   Plus 3 younger siblings.

WO363 - Enlisted at Knutsford  into the 9th Lancers on the 3rd September
1914 - No. 3332.    Occupation given as - Clerk.  He was aged: 19 years 5
months.   Joined at Woolwich on the 3rd October 1914.   Height: 5 feet 11
inches - Weight: 10 stone 10 lb - Extended chest: 36 inches with a 2 inch
expansion.  Complexion: Fair - Eyes: Grey - Hair: Brown.   Church of
England.   Posted to the 7th Rifle Brigade on the 22nd May 1915 and into
the 6th Battalion on  the 3rd June 1915.    Drafted to France on the 22nd
June 1915.

He lasted just 14 days up in Flanders before he was killed.   Early on the
morning of 6th July 1915, the British launched an attack on the German
positions of the International Trench, Farm 14 (Moortelweg) and Fortin 17
(some 150 metres north of the crossroads Moortelweg – Kleine
Poezelstraat), across the Yser Canal, between Boesinghe and Ypres   The
fierce fighting would go on for four days, until 9 July.   

On the first day of the battle - the day William was killed, the 1st
Battailion, Rifle Brigade alone lost over 70 men.

His death was reported in the 23/07/1915 edition of the Altrincham
Guardian.

M.I. - "Of Rostherne, Cheshire".

Received the two basic war medals - BWM & the VM.