Name
Arthur Joseph Clay
29th April 1870
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
18/02/1915
43
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Major
North Staffordshire Regiment
2nd/6th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Searched but not found
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
NEWBOROUGH (ALL SAINTS) CHURCHYARD
South of Church.
United Kingdom
Headstone Inscription
No Report
UK & Other Memorials
Individual plaque, Church of St Nicholas, Harpenden, Memorial plaque, Newborough Church, Newborough, Staffs.
Pre War
Arthur Joseph was born on 29th April 1870 at Stapenhill House, Stapenhill, Burton-on-Trent. Arthur was the eldest son of Charles John Clay (a Barrister at Law, a Justice of the Peace and a Director of Bass Ratcliff & Gretton, Brewers in Burton-on-Trent) and Agnes Lucy (nee Arden), from Longcroft Hall, Yoxall. Staffs.
Arthur was educated at Harrow School from 1884 to 1889, leaving for New College, Oxford where he obtained his M.A. in 1896. He joined the 2nd Volunteer Battalion, Prince of Wales’s (North Staffordshire) Regiment as 2nd Lieutenant in Feb 1893 and was promoted to Captain in August 1897.
He became a Director of Bass, Ratcliff and Gretton (now Bass) and also Gordon Hotels and was also prominent in Motor manufacture on Burton-on-Trent. On the 1901 Census Arthur is living at Hollybush Hall, Newborough with His Father and family.
On 10 May 1905 Arthur married Bridget Parker Jarvis and made a home at Grangewood House Netherseal, Staffs.
He resigned his commission in July 1907. Arthur and his family moved back to Newborough following the death of his father
Wartime Service
On the outbreak of war in Aug 1914 Arthur offered his services and was accepted in his old rank as Captain on 3 Nov 1914 in 6th (Reserve) Battalion North Staffordshires, part of North Midland division and on mobilisation were concentrated in the Luton/Harpenden area for further training.
Arthur died from Pneumonia on 18 Feb 1915 while on this duty.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Jonty Wild
