More than a century after their deaths, the graves of Captain (Capt) Vivian Hastings Clay and Serjeant (Sjt) Arthur Harry Morton, who died on the Western Front while serving with predecessor regiments of The Rifles, have been rededicated in northern France.
The services, which were planned by the Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC), popularly known as the “MOD War Detectives,” were held on June 21 and June 22 at the Warlencourt British Cemetery and Cojeul British Cemetery, respectively, of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC).
JCCC case lead Rosie Barron stated:
Although they were unable to attend the rededication rituals, Capt. Clay and Sgt. Morton’s family still have cherished memories of both individuals. It has been an honor to plan these services with their regimental family, The Rifles.
“The sacrifice and devotion to duty of the two warriors will never be forgotten.”
After researchers contacted the CWGC and presented evidence that the graves of both men had been discovered, the graves of both men were located. The National Army Museum and JCCC followed up with more research, which supported their conclusions.
Serving members of the 5th Battalion The Rifles attended the services, which were led by Reverend Thomas Wilde CF, Chaplain to the 2nd Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment.
The Reverend Wilde said:
“It is always important to honour and remember both officers and soldiers with dignity and providing these services has been a huge privilege for me.”
How did the two soldiers die?
Capt Clay, from Forvant in Wiltshire, was killed during the Battle of the Somme, on what was his 24th birthday, 18 October 1916.
He was a member of the Wiltshire Regiment’s 2nd Battalion at the time of the offensive east of Le Sars.
The battalion were successful in seizing the initial German line and were told to consolidate.
Capt Clay is alleged to have been pacing about on the top of the trench encouraging his men to consolidate their position when he was fatally shot.
One of his soldiers said:
He tried to convince his guys to build a communications trench to our positions after leading by excellent example in grenade throwing.
He and I stepped outside in the open in the hopes that they would follow, but they were very hesitant. He was hit in the back not long after that.
Capt. Clay was an unidentified Captain of the Wiltshire Regiment who was interred in Warlencourt British Cemetery after the war. Captain Clay was remembered on the Thiepval Memorial in France because he went missing.
On April 9, 1917, the first day of the Battle of Arras, Sjt. Morton, 19, of Guillford, Surrey, was killed.
He was a member of the King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry’s 9th Battalion when it was ordered to attack the Hindenburg Line near the Henin-Heninel Road.
The second line of German wire proved to be more difficult for them to cross than the first. As they came under machine gun and rifle fire, the attack was halted.
The unit set up in shell holes within the German wire but was unable to reconvene during the day due to the German snipers’ high activity.
Companies of the 10th Battalion The King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry could be seen pushing toward the German trenches around dusk in order to occupy the road in front of their positions.
Then, the 9th Battalion organized itself and began establishing itself to the left of the 10th Battalion. Sjt. Morton was slain that day during the conflict.
Sjt. Morton was laid to rest in Cojeul British Cemetery, however his burial was listed as belonging to a King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry serjeant who died on April 9, 1917.
The CWGC has removed the headstones from their graves and will take care of their last resting places forever. Although the JCCC was able to locate both families, they were unable to attend but both contributed inscriptions for the new headstones.
Xavier Puppinck, Area Director for France at the CWGC, said:
“We are honoured to recognise these two brave soldiers today at our cemeteries in France. It is our privilege and duty to care for their graves in perpetuity.”