William Albert Gayton (1897 - 1918)

Born 17 Jul 1897 in Yarmouth, Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada

Ancestors

Died 21 Mar 1918 at age 20 in France

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Biography

William was born in 1897. He is the son of Arthur Gayton and Clara Whitman.

He died in France during WW1 and is buried in the AIX-NOULETTE COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION Pas de Calais, France - Grave II.C.21. He is commemorated on Page 413 of the First World War Book of Remembrance.

While serving in Canada with the 64th Battalion he was promoted to Lance Corporal in January 1916. He embarked for overseas on board SS Adriatic from Halifax on March 31, 1917 and disembarked at Liverpool on April 9, 1916. In England he reverted to the rank of Private at his request and was taken on strength with the 2nd Battalion. He arrived in France on July 6, 1916.On November 17, 1916 he became dangerously ill suffering from pneumonia and was admitted to No 6 Casualty Clearing Station. On December 7, 1916 he was transferred to No 22 General Hospital at Camiers, France. He was the removed to hospital in England where he remained until September 29, 1917. Having recovered he returned to the field in France with the 2nd Battalion. March 21, 1918 was the opening day of the German Spring Offensive. The 2nd Battalion’s Lewis gunners defended the lines and inflicted heavy casualties and disorganization among the German forces. That day the Battalion lost 10 killed. Two others died of wounds and 29 other ranks and an officer were wounded. Four other ranks were listed as missing. Private Gayton was killed in action on March 21, 1918 at the age of 21.

Sources

• https://www.bobhegerich.com/getperson.php?personID=I90633&tree=Main