CH 15542 Cpl. W. CLAYTON
2nd R.M. BRIGADE, R.N. DIVISION, R.M.L.I.
KILLED IN ACTION Friday 5th April 1918.
[BIOGRAPHY]
Wilfred Clayton was a Church of England lad who was born in Eccles, Lancashire on 30th July 1888 to Thomas & Elizabeth Clayton of 116 Barton Lane, 66 Lane End & latterly 2 Irwell Grove, Eccles, Manchester.
Prior to his enlistment at age 17 into the 2nd R.M.L.I. into the Chatham Division on 18th July 1906 he had worked as a Lapper in a rubber works. He was 5ft 6" with blue eyes & light brown hair.
[THE MESSINA EARTHQUAKE MEDAL 1908]
The Commemorative Medal of the Calabria- Sicilian Earthquake 1908
Medaglia Commemorativa Terremoto Calabro-Siculo 1908
At 05:22 am on the 28th December 1908 the Sicily & Calabria area of Italy was struck by a 7.5 magnitude earthquake. It was soon realised that the Italian authorities had a major disaster on their hands with a terrible death toll of between 70,000 - 100,000 people.
Many nations came to the aid of the affected areas and various ships in the Mediterranean at the time were deployed to offer whatever help could be given.
Messina was the worst affected population centre and a number of Royal and British Merchant Navy vessels landed men to assist, from digging survivors out from collapsed buildings to assisting with the evacuation of the injured and homeless.
In the aftermath of this it was decided by the Italian Royal family that a merit medal' would be produced to be awarded to those who distinguished themselves, "whether by rendering assistance and medical treatment, or by donating health and administrative services and meeting the material and spiritual needs of the sufferers of the disaster"
This medal was struck in gold, silver and bronze - and in two sizes; 40mm and 30mm, - 40mm for institutions and 30mm for individuals.
An estimate of up to three hundred of these merit medals were awarded.
Another royal decree of 20th February 1910 announced that a commemorative medal was to be produced, to be awarded to everyone who came to the aid of the Italian people in the disaster.
It is this second medal - the 'commemorative medal' that turns up
in British Naval medal groups such as this.
The commemorative medal was generally awarded to those who landed to help in the relief operations and the vessels. Wilfred Clayton served in HMS Lancaster to which 560 medals were awarded.
Wilfred Clayton is remembered with eternal honour at:
ENGLEBELMER COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION.
The medals are all "Gem Mint State" and are as issued with original ribbons.
The group comes with it's original registered envelope addressed to his mother Elizabeth and two of the original white boxes. A file of research paperwork which includes his service record sheet & a picture of his gravestone is also included.
SERVICE RECORD A VERY RARE COMBINATION IN 'PRISTINE' CONDITION WHICH IS SELDOM SEEN TO THE R.M.L.I.
£895