John Anthony Clay (1924 - 1943)

Born 1924 in Southall, Middlesex, England, United Kingdom

Died 19 Jan 1943 at about age 19 in Riddle Field, Clewiston, Florida USA

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Biography

John Clay was born in Southall, Middlesex, England.

John Clay served for the in World War II
Service started: after August 1940
Unit(s): Leading Aircraftman, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Service ended: 19 January 1943

Birth

John Anthony was the son of Major Percy G Clay and Mrs (Thomas) Clay, of Southall, Middlesex, England, United Kingdom. His birth was registered in the 3rd quarter (Oct-Nov-Dec) in Uxbridge, Middlesex, England^[1]

Occupation and Military Service

Royal Air Force Badge

John Anthony Clay - Enlisted at Euston after August 1940 Service Number: 1395220 Leading Aircraftman, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve John Anthony Archive Reference: Air 78 33 1^[2]

Death and Burial

John died on the 19th of January 1943, aged 19 years he is buried and commemorated at the Arcadia Oak Ridge Cemetery, United States of America, Lot 9. Block U. Grave 3.Find A Grave: Memorial #14142598 He lies with 23 other RAF Volunteers who died in training at Riddle Field, Clewiston^[2][3][4] A student at Riddle Field, Clewiston he was killed in a plane crash. His body was found approximately 20 miles northeast of Okeechobee and brought to Arcadia for burial.^[5]

Headstone Inscription

John A. Clay

1395220 ~ L-A-C ~ R-A-F

January 19, 1943

~Our crowded hour of glorious life~

Sources

1. ↑ "England and Wales Birth Registration Index, 1837-2008," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV38-LRPV : 2 October 2014), John A Clay, 1923; from "England & Wales Births, 1837-2006," database, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : 2012); citing Birth Registration, Uxbridge, Middlesex, England, citing General Register Office, Southport, England.
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1} https://www.forces-war-records.co.uk/records/13910898/john-anthony-clay-royal-air-force-royal-air-force/
3. ↑ https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/2719656/JOHN%20ANTHONY%20CLAY/
4. ↑ "Find A Grave Index," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVVZ-TNFR : 27 July 2019), John Anthony Clay, 1943; Burial, Arcadia, DeSoto, Florida, United States of America, Oak Ridge Cemetery;
5. ↑ FAG database and images accessed 05 November 2020), memorial page for John Anthony Clay (unknown–19 Jan 1943), citing Oak Ridge Cemetery, Arcadia, DeSoto County, Florida, USA ; Maintained by IWPP Custodial Account (contributor 48586138) .