Description
East and West Africa Medal, bar Witu 1890, Henry Clayton, HMS Turquoise, with copy service records.
Officially impressed: “H. Clayton, Ord. H.M.S. Turqoiuse”
Nice condition as awarded at the end of his Naval Career.
Service Number 127113 Henry Clayton.
Born on 26th March 1868 in Gateshead Fell, Durham. The son of Robert Wasdale Clayton and Rachael Alder Bone.
He had an unfortunate childhood, as when he was only 2, his father, was working as a Bank Clerk for the Bank of England, when he was caught stealing money from the BoE, he was tried on 21st February 1870 and sentenced to a serious 7 years of Penal Servitude.
“Feloniously, on the 5th of October 1869, being then clerk to the Governor and Company of the Bank of England, did steal certain moneys to the amount of 2 shillings and 6 pence, and on the 29th day of December past, 3 several sums of 10 pounds 1 shilling, 20 pounds 11 shillings, and 14 pounds 11 shillings and 6 pence, respectively, belonging to the said Governor and Company of the Bank of England, his said masters.”
However he had only been caught as the robbery weighed upon his mind it was echoed around the British Newspapers as “THE BANK ROBBERY” they do note that however: “The discovery of the theft was due to the Prisoner’s own confession, which he said he felt impelled to make on account of the mental inquietude the robbery gave him.”
These stealings happened to occur shortly after the birth of young Henry.
The family moved, likely out of shame to the New York, USA, where Henry’s younger brother was born in 1879, before returning to England, but living in Islington during 1881, where his father worked as a Clerk Book Keeper.
Henry joined the Navy as a Boy 2nd Class shortly after turning 16 on 5th April 1884.
Served on board the Turquoise when earning this medal from 27th September 1887 – 25th June 1891.
Saw 12 years of service on various ships.
HMS Undaunted, April 1894 – 2nd Jan 1896
HMS Mercury, 3rd Jan 1896 – 20th March 1896, discharged to shore.
Appears to have returned home to Gateshead after his discharge.
Shown in 1901 as living with his wife Louise at 24 Palmer Street in Gateshead, Durham, working as a “Slinger of Ordnance”.
