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Two days later, Harold had a brief medical examination at the Recruiting Office in Halifax. He was 5 feet 5 inches tall, and weighed 115 pounds. His chest measured 34.5 inches. He had blue eyes, and brown hair.
Harold was posted to the Duke’s with the rank of Private and regimental number 10669.
Despite his lack of military training and comparative youth, Harold was posted to France on 19 January 1915, joining the 2nd Battalion of his regiment at Bailleul.
On 18 April 1915, Harold sustained a wound during his battalion's costly attack among the craters of Hill 60 near Ypres. There is no record of what this was, except for notes saying that he had a sprained ankle and concussion – which may have been a separate incident or even two. Nonetheless it was sufficient for him to return to England, where he was administratively posted to the Depot on 22 April 1915.
When he was recovered, Harold was posted to 3rd Battalion on 2 June 1915, and appointed unpaid Lance Corporal on 22 July 1915. His promotion was ratified and pay increased on 1 February 1916. Harold was posted back to 2nd Battalion in France on 4 August 1916.
On 12 October 1916, Harold was severely wounded in the scalp during he Battalion's attack near Le Transloy on the Somme. He arrived in England on 20 October, and was administratively posted to Depot on 23 October 1916.
After recovery, he was posted back to 3rd Battalion, but attached to 83rd Training Reserve Battalion, on 30 December 1916. He was detached and moved back to 3rd Battalion 16 June 1917 preparatory to a posting to France again.
Harold embarked for France for the third time on 8 August 1917, but did not rejoin his old unit. Instead he was posted to 10th (Service) Battalion on 25 August 1917.
Just a few days later on 7 September 1917, Harold was gassed. He later noted that he did not leave Base, which may mean that he did leave his unit and proceeded down the casualty evacuation chain, but was treated in France. (Still only 20, he signed the photograph that appears on this page in October 1917).
He did not return to the Duke of Wellington’s after this date. This may have been due to his medical condition at this time. He was posted to 852 Area Employment Company of the Labour Corps on 20 November 1917, and renumbered 410834.
He was promoted to substantive Corporal 25 February 1918, and a paid Lance-Sergeant the same day. On 26 April 1918, he was again promoted, to Sergeant.
Harold was posted to ICLC on 7 May 1918, and less than a fortnight later on 16 May he completed an Application for Admission to an Officer Cadet Unit . His personal reference is given by Charles Baron, late Headmaster of Holycroft Senior School in Keighley. The form was signed by his commanding officer Captain A.R. Edgell, at Auxi le Chateau on 18 May 1918. Amazingly, the Officer Commanding Railhead, presumably senior in the Labour Corps, noted, “I think the question of his fitness for a commission should be delayed (?) till he has served again in a fighting unit ”. But good sense must have prevailed, because on 24 July Harold left for England, to undertake training for a commission as an officer.
As part of his application, Harold again underwent a medical examination. In almost 4 years, he had grown three inches to 5 feet 8.25 inches and put on 59 pounds of weight to 12 stone 6 pounds. His chest had grown by 3.5 inches, to 38 inches.
On 6 August 1918, Harold married Eleanor Graham Hide, at Cullercoats. Three days later, Harold joined C Company, No 1 Reception Battalion, preparatory to his officer training.
On 20 September 1918, Harold was attached to No. 14 Officer Cadet Battalion, at Catterick Camp. He completed his course on 1 January 1918. The confidential report on his achievement noted that although his standard of education was “fair, rather weak”, his military skills were good. “Ability to train a Platoon: good, has sound knowledge”. “Ability to command a Platoon: very good. Excellent command in the field”. It noted his special qualification in musketry, and summarised as follows: “A cadet with a good knowledge and the ability to apply it. Has a rough appearance but would make a good leader. Would have been recommended for a commission”.
Harold was discharged from the service of the Special Reserve on 16 March 1919 on being appointed to a commission.
In August 1919, Harold wrote to the War Office, requesting clarification of his position. It seems his commission had not been officially notified. When viewed in combination with the confidential report with the words “would have been…” and the fact that he does not appear in the Army List at this time, it is possible that there had been a disruption to the normal process of granting a commission, caused by the cessation of hostilities.
However, Harold was commissioned – he signed a letter Second Lieutenant Clayton in August 1919 – and eventually so did the War Office – referring to him as Lieutenant Clayton in 1921. Shortly afterwards, Harold was killed whilst serving as an auxiliary with the Royal Irish Constabulary.
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excellent article is published with the kind permission of Harold's
granddaughter Alison Rogers. If
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