The Missing
Captain Edward Reginald Clayton MC listed on the Menin Gate Memorial as one of The Missing, but known to be buried in Tyne Cot Cemetery since 2011 – Norm Christie had revealed the location in his book Sacred Places Volume 1 Belgium. Several years later, the late Richard Laughton of CEFSG, submitted his investigative report on the subject to CWGC in 2015.
Casualty Identification Program
Investigations for unknown graves begin when external researchers submit detailed research reports that suggests the identity of an unknown grave as belonging to a Canadian war dead. The Casualty Identification Program then conducts extensive historical research to confirm the findings and possibly identify the grave.
Why it is necessary to conduct needless further extensive historical research on such detailed research reports? No one denies the attempt to give a name to each missing Canadian military fatality is a very important goal for the Canadian Armed Forces. Due diligence, however, is not a common practice in the Casualty Identification Program.
To this date, no announcement by the Department of National Defense’s Casualty Identification Program as to when a re-dedication ceremony will take place at Tyne Cot Cemetery – over ten years since Captain Edward Reginald Clayton MC’s grave positively identified.
The program’s biggest issue is their technologists refuse to cooperate with, nor acknowledge, Canadians that have provided them with the same historical documentation and analysis which has already solved these unknown cases. Deny, delay, until they die, the common mantra of government services intended for Veteran’s and their families.
Early Life of Edward Reginald Clayton
Edward Reginald Clayton born in Halifax, Nova Scotia on 18 February 1890, the only son of William James and Emily Isabel Clayton (d.10 August 1927), Halifax, Nova Scotia.
One of the largest manufacturers of clothing in Canada since the late 19th century – Clayton & Sons on the corner of Barrington and Jacob streets. Later, the large modern textile factory the home to over five hundred employees.
The Clayton Family
George Clayton (1819-1864) born in Wales in the area surrounding the city of Montgomery. He relocated to Bishop’s Castle, Shropshire, England where he later met and married Mary Davies.
The family eventually moved to Shrewsbury – the county seat and a large market town in that area of the English countryside. George and Mary married later at Bishop’s Castle on 22 March 1844. They later had eight children whose baptisms all appear in the church register of Saint Chad’s, the large Anglican church of that town:
Children
1. Celia Clayton, b. 6 January 1845
2. Elizabeth Clayton, b. 19 July 1846
3. Susan Clayton, b. 15 April 1848
4. Edward Clayton, b. 5 August 1849, d. 1938
5. William James Clayton, b. 17 April 1851, (d. 1935, father of Edward Reginald Clayton)
6. Ada Amelia Clayton, b. ca. 1852
7. George Washington Clayton, b. 5 October 1853
8. Mary Ann Clayton, b. ca. 1854
George, Mary and family relocated to Halifax, Nova Scotia earlier in 1863 and set up on Duke street. However, George unfortunately succumbed to Apoplexy. Prior to emigrating to Nova Scotia, George worked in Shrewsbury as a tailor and did so for a short time while in Halifax.
While running their business, Edward and William James Clayton Board Members of the Halifax and Prince Edward Island Steamship Company Limited.
Clayton & Sons
During both world wars, Clayton & Sons contributed to the war effort by manufacturing uniforms for the armed forces – nearly every window of the Clayton & Sons Factory destroyed in the Halifax Explosion, 6 December 1917.
The firm left to William’s daughter Mary Louise Clayton (primarily due to the death of her brother Captain Edward Reginald Clayton) she would later sell the business in 1955 to avoid bankruptcy.
Later, the fate of the factory complex on Barrington Street, like many buildings in that part of town – demolished to make way for the urban renewal projects of the city in the mid to late 1960s. At this time, much of the property is underneath the Trade Mart Building and the Cogswell Interchange.
Attestation of Captain Edward Reginald Clayton
Lieutenant Edward Reginald Clayton enlisted with the 219th Highland Battalion, Halifax Detachment on earlier 20 July 1916 at Camp Aldershot. At this time he stood 5′ 8″ tall, 150 pounds, previous service with 66th Regiment, Princess Louise Fusiliers, from 7 August 1914 to 15 May 1916.
Today, the Princess Louise Fusiliers (PLF) a Primary Reserve infantry unit of the Canadian Armed Forces – based out of Halifax, Nova Scotia, this infantry regiment traces its local roots as a Halifax unit of Militia since 18 June 1749.
Clayton’s unit sailed per SS OLYMPIC 12 October 1916, later disembarking in Liverpool on 19 October 1916.
Lt Clayton later attached to 85th Battalion for Duty, 28 December 1916., and ToS from 219th Battalion by 17th Reserve Battalion, 23 January 1917. Then, on 9 February 1917, Lt Clayton transferred to 85th Battalion, Witley Camp.
85th Battalion
Organized in earlier in September 1915 under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Allison Hart Borden. Mobilized at Halifax, and later recruited in Nova Scotia. Embarked from Halifax on 13 October 1916 aboard SS OLYMPIC, and later disembarked in England on 19 October 1916 with a strength of 34 officers, 1001 other ranks. Arrived in France 11 February 1917 with the 4th Canadian Division, 12th Canadian Infantry Brigade, and later reinforced by 17th Canadian Reserve Battalion.
The 85th Battalion later returned to England 29 April 1919. Disembarked in Canada 7 June 1919., demobilized 8 June 1919, and later disbanded by General Order 149 of 15 September 1920. Colours made by Lady Borden and presented on 25 September 1916, later handed over to Lieutenant Governor for safekeeping in 1919 – perpetuated by The Cape Breton Highlanders.
Overseas
Lt Clayton proceeded overseas with his unit per SS LONDON 10 February 1917, and later on 19 February 1917, Edward along with Lts Cyerner, Reid, Hensley, Forbes and 62 Other Ranks proceeded on a six day Bombing Course at the Divisional School in Maisnil Bouche.
On 4 March 1917, Lt Clayton in front line near Chateau de la Haie for a 36 hour instructional tour in trench routine and duties, but back in the trenches on 14 March 1917, relieving the 78th Battalion. Then, on 8 May 1917, the battalion in training at ZOUAVE VALLEY.
Sniper’s Course
Lieutenant Edward Reginald Clayton to Sniper’s Course, 12 May 1917 to 26 May 1917, and later, rejoined his unit on 1 June 1917.
Lt Clayton granted 10 Days Leave of Absence, 21 July 1917, later returning to his unit to find them in St Aubin.
Lieutenant Clayton awarded the Military Cross – Conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in the field, London Gazette No.30308, No.30466, later on 26 September 1917.
Lt Clayton to be Temporary Captain, London Gazette No.30429, and later corrected by No.30504.
Battle of Passchendaele
Captain Edward Reginald Clayton MC killed in action leading No.3 Company, on 30 October 1917 during the Battle of Passchendaele.
Investigative Report
This report pertains to an investigation of the identification of the burial location, or headstone markings, of a member of the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) during the Great War 1914-1921.
SUBMITTED TO
CWGC Canadian Agency
66 Slater Street
Suite 1707
Ottawa Ontario Canada K1A 0P4
Att: Dominique Boulais
Report Date
4 October 2016
Summary of Findings
The Graves Registration Report form for Plot 16 Row A Grave 4 lists an Unknown Canadian Captain of the 85th Battalion. The identification of this Officer reported earlier by Norm Christie in Sacred Places, Volume 1 Page 198 (CEF Books). In addition, it appears the author did not file an official report on this case, but our independent investigation has confirmed the findings as reported. Finally, the only Captain that meets all the criteria is Captain Edward Reginald Clayton, “C” Coy, 85th Battalion CEF.
Details of Findings
The findings are conclusive the remains in Plot 16 Row A Grave 4 are those of Captain Edward Reginald Clayton, Commanding “C” Company of the 85th Infantry Battalion when killed in the advance on Vienna Cottage on 30 October 1917.
The findings are based on the following:
Circumstance of Death
The CoD report states killed in action in the attack south of Passchendaele on 30 October 1917 (Attachment #1).
War Graves Register
The E-123 War Graves Register records Clayton killed in action on 30 October 1917. No information as to his burial as late as 2 October 1922. As such, his name inscribed on the Menin Gate Memorial (Attachment #2).
War Diary
The War Diary of the 85th C.I.B. provides details of the operation southwest of Passchendaele during which Captain Clayton killed. There is a specific reference in the war diary of the death of Captain Clayton commanding “C” Company. His death reported earlier in the initial phase of the attack as the company pushed forward. Reported the men “had hardly gotten clear of the tapes before they were met with heavy machine gun and rifle fire from the direction of the enemy front line all along our front and from a portion of Decline Copse south of the railway, and from machine guns in the vicinity of D.18.a.8.6” (Attachment #3).
Battle Map
The location of the 85th Battalion shown in the vicinity of Vienna Cottage and north of Decline Copse. Referenced in the War Diary noted above. Detailed in the extract of Map 9 from Nicholson’s “Official History of the Canadian Army – Canadian Expeditionary Force 1914-1919” (Attachment #4).
Location
The precise location of the death of Captain Clayton noted on a period trench map of the area covering the green square in the area map. For reference, the village of Tyne Cot is at 28.D.17.a.2.1, Decline Copse is at 28.D.18.7.6 and Vienna Cottage is at 28.D.12.2.1. In addition, the enemy fire that killed Captain Clayton would have been coming from the northeast in Sector 28.D.12 and from the southeast in Sector 28.D.18. Captain Clayton would have been killed near the front lines in Sector 28.D.16 (Attachment #5).
CWGC Database
Database of the CWGC assembled for all individuals listed on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial shows Captain Clayton of the 85th Battalion. Clayton the only Captain of that battalion reported not to have a known grave. As such, there are no other candidates for the remains identified in Plot 16 Row A Grave 4 (Attachment #6).
Graves Registration Report
The GRRF from the CWGC archives states clearly the remains in Plot 16 Row A Grave 4 are those of an Unknown Canadian Captain of 85th Battalion. In addition, the correction of the battalion from the 83rd to 85th confirmed, as the 83rd Battalion did not serve as an active unit. Also reported on the GRRF are Private Horobin #147385 (H.Q. Runner) of the 78th Battalion and Private Leslie #133253 (Brigade Runner), reported incorrectly as 13th Battalion as he was also 85th Battalion with Captain Clayton (Attachment #7). The 78th Battalion on the left flank (north) of the 85th Battalion when Private Horobin KIA on 30 October 1917.
Concentrations of Graves
The CoG shows Horobin, Leslie and the Unknown Captain all exhumed earlier from the same location at the grid reference 28.D.16.b.60.30 (Attachment #8). The finding of Leslie in the same location, confirmation of the presence of the 85th Battalion at that location. In addition, the exhumation location, plotted on a trench map of the area shows, the men to be where they would have been expected to have been recovered. Battalion Headquarters at 28.D.16.d.5.5 and moved forward to 28.D.17.b.25.80.
Headstone Inscriptions
The Comprehensive Report of Headstone Inscriptions from the CWGC archives does not record any entry for Plot 16 Row A Grave 4. Later, the entry for Private Leslie amended to read 85th Bn Canadian Infantry (Attachment #9). The entries for the Unknown British Soldiers in 16.A.1 and 16.A.14, as well as the Unknown Australian Soldier in 16.A.9 are also blank.
Action Required
The “Investigative Report” prepared in accordance with the procedures and criteria set out by the CWGC.
As noted previously, the identification of the remains of Captain Clayton previously reported by Norm Christie. Our belief that a formal report of these findings not submitted at that time, in addition, our independent review of the case agrees with the findings of Mr Christie.
The evidence conclusive the remains in Plot 16 Row A Grave 4 in the Tyne Cot Cemetery are those of Captain Edward Reginald Clayton of the 85th Battalion, killed in action earlier on 30 October 1917 in the area southwest of Passchendaele, Belgium.
Tyne Cot Cemetery
Near the town of Ieper in Belgium, Tyne Cot Cemetery, the largest CWGC cemetery in the world. The resting place of more than 11,900 servicemen of the British Empire and a lone identified soldier of the German Army of the Great War.
This area on the Western Front the scene of the Third Battle of Ypres, also known as the Second Battle of Passchendaele, one of the major battles of the Great War.
Questions
Is the Clayton family aware the grave located in 2011 by Norm Christie? Is the report by Richard Laughton still at the Canadian Agency, or is it currently under investigation at the Casualty Identification Program?