Service Number 78289
Service Army
Battalion 8th Battalion
Regiment West Yorkshire Regiment
Rank | Number | Unit |
Private | 78289 | 1/6th Bn West Yorkshire Regiment |
Biography
Herbert Clayforth was born in Micklethwaite on the 13th July 1890, the son of Thomas and Mary Clayforth. Thomas was a farm labourer. Herbert was one of two brothers and three sisters and by 1911 both of Thomas' sons were working in farming, as horsemen on a farm.
In 1913, on the 30th April, Herbert married Hannah Birdsall also of Micklethwaite in Collingham Church. Herbert gave his trade at that time as a milkman. About two years later, Herbert and Hannah had moved to Wetherby where, on the 21st April 1915, Hannah gave birth to a baby girl, Dorothy.
Herbert's call up must have come during the summer of 1916 and he was enlisted on the 24th June 1916. However he was not finally called for service until the 31st May 1918 in York. Herbert served with the West Yorkshire Regiment in the UK until about the 1st October 1918 when he embarked for France joining the British Expeditionary Force later the same day. At that time Herbert was serving with the 8th Battalion West Yorkshire regiment. Some parts of Herbert's record suggests that he left for France on the 28th or 29th September.
After the war's end Herbert, as a relatively late joiner, was retained for a time while longer serving soldiers were released more quickly and on the 20th March 1919 he transferred to the 1/6th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment. Finally on the 29th September 1919 Herbert was released for service.
After the war Herbert returned to Wetherby. In 1939, at the time of the National Registration at the start of the Second World War Herbert and his family were living in Wetherby at 19 North Street where Herbert was listed as a General Labourer for the council. The record also notes that he was part of the local rescue squad for the ARP unit.
Biography last updated 21 September 2021 23:39:03.
Sources
1911 Census. The National Archives. Class RG14 Piece 25947
First World War Medal Index Cards. The National Archives (WO372).
First World War Medal Index Rolls. The National Archives (WO329).
If you have any photographs or further details about this person we would be pleased to hear from you. Please contact us via: alan.berry@collinghamanddistrictwararchive.info