De Ruvigny Roll of Honour Vol 1 page 84

Cambridge University Roll of Honour page 487

Captain Clayhills in August 1914 on Embarkation

CWGC Headstone

Memorial Plaque in St. Peter's Church, Dargie

George Clayhills was born in Darlington on the 24th July 1878, he was the fourth son of Thomas Clayhills Henderson, brewer and solicitor, [born 1836, Mayance, Mainz, Rheinland-Pfalz Germany, son of George Dunbar Clayhills Henderson, (born 1798, Richmond, Yorkshire, died 26th November 1861, Devon), married Frances Beckett, on the 28th February 1828, Northallerton, born London, 1802, died 29th April 1876, at Devon], died 27th March 1933, of Invergowrie, Forfar, and Thornton-le-Moor, York, and his wife Elizabeth Rob, [born 20th May 1841, Thirsk, died December 1919], daughter of John Rob, born 1795, died 1856, of Catton Hall, York and Rebecca Dresser, born 1801 died 1883.

Thomas Clayhill Henderson came to the UK from Finland to London as an Alien, on the 11th September 1846, then aged about 10. In 1861 he was lodging at 8 Park Villas, at Darlington, then aged 25. Describing himself as a solicitor.
He married Elizabeth Rob on the 10th October 1866 at Thirsk, they resided at North Terrace, Darlington in 1868.

They had 9 children but one died. Frances Mary, born 19th October 1867, [married on the 19th April 1915, at Mayfair, Middlesex, to a Bertram Charles Fellows, who was a retired brigadier general in 1952], who died 6th February 1952 at the Rainow Nursing Home, Cheltenham, left a will of £613 19s 5d to her husband, Charles Dunbar Clayhills Henderson, born 1869, baptised 16th January 1869, died 30th November 1944 at Meigle, Rose Eugenia Clayhills born 1870, baptised on the 29th April 1870, died 17th August 1940, James Menzies Clayhills, born December 1871, resided for a while at Harbottle Castle died 2nd October 1921 , Beckett Clayhills Henderson, born January 1873, [married Olive Margaret Fenwick, eldest daughter of the late Hugh Fenwick, of Brinkburn Priory, April 1907], died 1945, Elizabeth Beckett Clayhills, born 1874, died 1958 and Murray John Clayhills, born 10th July 1879, baptised on the 9th October 1879, [married Ellen, born 13th August 1887], died 1947.

James Menzies was a Solicitor, Charles Dunbar Henderson was a Brewer, and was educated at Aysgarth School. Beckett became a Land Agent, and resided at Harbottle, for a while, he also worked at 6 Eldon Square, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, in May 1919 he gave instructions by auction for Robert Donkins Ltd his farming stock to be sold off. Thomas Cleghill became a solicitor and Brewer. In 1900 there was an invitation by Thomas Clayhill to became members of the Darlington District Association for the Protection of Property and Prosecution of Felons who were having their annual dinner on the 12th December at the Dolphin Hotel at 5pm. Murray John also became a brewer.

Thomas had his offices at 1 Coniscliffe Road, and his son James worked with him at the same office. Thomas also had an interest in the Dunn-Cow Inn at Gainford, from about 1901. In 1901 the family were residing at Southend, in Darlington, next to Southend Lodge. He was also recorded as handling share transactions from the Great Western Railway on behalf of his clients and for a Captain George David Clayhills Henderson R.N., By 1871 he was residing with his family at 'Eastmount' Haughton Road, Darlington with his wife and three children. By 1881, the family were now showing 8 children though James Menzies was absent as being at boarding school.

Thomas also was a land owner and with the Countess of Buckinghamshire, J. Martin esquire, J. P. and Lieut-Colonel Henry Scrymgeour Wedderburn D.L., J.P., they had 5.549 acres rateable value of then £18,567. Population was about 1923 in 1911, which included 415 inmates and their families in the Dundee District Mental Hospital. The Area was known then as the Liff and Benvie united parish in a portion of the city of Dundee.

Thomas died on the 27th March 1933, and in his will he left £141089 2s 4d to Charles Dunbar Clayhills Henderson Beckitt Clayhills land agent and Arthur Feetham solicitor.

George was was educated at Cheltenham College and Trinity College Cambridge, left 1895. Received his commission and joined the 4th Militia Battalion of the Cheshire Regiment on the 8th September 1896.

He was also nephew of the late Captain Claybills-Henderson, R.N., and Colonel Claysbill Henderson, who served in the Crimean War with the 93rd Highlanders.

George was gazetted a 2nd Lieutenant to the 1st Battalion East Lancashire Regiment on the 4th January 1899.

Promoted to Lieutenant on the 4th June 1900, then finally promoted Captain 8th February 1908.

He was Adjutant from April 1906 to April 1909. George went with his regiment to South Africa and served with the 8th Mounted Infantry during the war 1900-02. He took part in operations at Paardeberg, Poplar Grove, Drefontein, Karee Siding, Vet River and Zand River. He was mentioned twice in Despatches [London Gazette, 10th September 1901 and 17th May 1902], by Lord Roberts and Kitchener.

He received the Queen's South African Medal with four Clasps and the King's Medal with two Clasps, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette 31st October]. 'George Clayhills, Lieut, The East Lancashire Regt. In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa'.

In 1911 Captain Clayhills was at Inkerman Barracks, Knaphill, Woking.

On the outbreak of the European War, George left with his regiment for the Front on the 22nd August on board the Braemar Castle ship number 108381, from Southampton to Le Havre arriving about 4pm. He served in France and Flanders and took part in the retreat from Mons, the Battles of the Marne and the Aisne. He was killed at the Battle of Ypres on the 2nd November 1914. He was unmarried.

His battalion was holding the line three miles North of Armentieres on the 2nd November 1914.

Miss Clayhills writes:

"George led an attack and cleared a wood in a very fine way, 31 October . . . There is an account in Conan Doyle's book of a fight the 1st East Lancashire Regiment did well in, and Colonel Lawrence wrote that my brother led his company so well that day that he forwarded his name for mention in Despatches. It never appeared—I was told so many were killed about that time that the names of nearly all the fallen were cut out".

The following is Conan Doyle's account: 'The British Campaign in France and Flanders, 1914' (page 229): "La Bassee-Armentieres operations on 21 October—The Germans crossed the River Lys in considerable force, and upon the morning of the 22nd they succeeded in occupying the village of Le Gheir upon the western side, thus threatening to outflank the positions of the 2nd Cavalry Division to the north. In their advance in the early morning of the 22nd they stormed the trenches held by the 2nd Inniskilling Fusiliers, this regiment enduring considerable loss. The trenches on the right were held by the 1st Loyal Lancasters and 2nd Lancashire Fusiliers. These two regiments were at once ordered by General Aulay of the 12th Brigade to initiate a counter-attack under the lead of Colonel Buller. Aulay himself, who is a hard-bitten soldier, moved forward his men, while General Hunter Weston, the indefatigable blower-up of railway lines in South Africa, supported the counter-attack with the Somerset Light Infantry and the 1st East Lancashire Regiment. The latter regiment, under Colonel Lawrence, passed through a wood and reached such a position that they were able to enfilade the Germans in the open, causing them very heavy losses. The action was a brilliant success. The positions lost were reoccupied and the enemy severely punished; over a thousand Germans were killed and wounded, while 300 were taken prisoners. These belonged to the 104th and 179th Saxon Regiments".

Captain Clayhills was killed in action at the First Battle of Ypres, 2nd November 1914, near Armentieres, and was buried about three miles north of that town and one mile east of the Ploegsteert-Ie-Chair Road. Captain Clayhills was a good all-round sportsman, a good rider, fond of hunting, shooting and cricket, and, in fact, all games and sport. Three of his great-uncles fought at Waterloo; his grandfather was in the Navy guarding the Channel at the time.

George Clayhills left £898 4s 6d to his father in his will dated the 31st December 1914.

Source: The Anglo Boer War Site with thanks.

De Ruvigny Roll of Honour

Cambridge University Roll of Honour Book

The ancient little church is roofless and in ruins but I climbed in over the high barred and secured gate, fought my way through head-high brambles and found (as hoped) several wall plaques to Clayhills. It was a bright sunny day and photography was hampered by the dappled shadows thrown on the plaques by the vegetation.

Dargie Church is also the burial/remembrance place of another local family The Mylnes of Mylefield, and they have their plaques in the main part of the church. I have sent you a photo of the church as a whole and the Clayhills are remembered on the wall of the Aisle on the right.

Acknowledgments to Jenny

He is not remembered on a North East War Memorial.

WW1 Cemeteries
Tombs of the Dundee Howff
The CWGC entry for Captain Clayhills