King’s Bruton casualty, Arthur Clayton

Arthur Gardner Clayton, Private in Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry.
Killed in action at La Brasserie, France. 15th Feb 1915, aged 21

Arthur Clayton was a member of New House, and a school Prefect in his final year. He was also a sergeant in the OTC. He was always a very popular boy, being of an extremely affectionate and lovable disposition.

Though not by nature gifted with any great athletic ability, he was a real ‘trier’ and it was by his perseverance and keenness that he became as useful to the school as he undoubtedly was. A keen sportsman, he made his mark playing in both the Hockey and the Cricket XIs.

When he left King’s in July 1911, he moved to Canada where he worked for the Bank of Montreal at Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Soon after the outbreak of war he enlisted as a Private in Princess Patricia’s Light Infantry, a crack regiment which was singled out by Lord Kitchener for the honour of being the first Canadian regiment selected for service at the Front.

The regiment suffered considerably in February 1915, and Clayton fell near La Brasserie, being killed by shrapnel while on duty in the trenches.

His officer, Lieut. Colquhoun said:

“Private Clayton was a splendid soldier and one of the most popular men in the Company. He proved himself a brave man among brave men, and he died a hero’s death.”

Corporal Leaky, of his Platoon, wrote:

“We all loved him as a gentleman, and as most of us were acquainted with him both in a social and business way in Saskatoon, we feel his loss very deeply.”

These appreciations bear out what was known of Clayton at King’s School, Bruton.

His influence was always for the best.

He lies buried in Voormezeele Enclosure No: 3 Cemetery, alongside, incidentally, George Llewelyn Davies, J.M. Barrie’s ‘real’ Peter Pan.


His younger brother would be killed in 1916.