A Kipling Like Case in Canada - need a Grumpy!

[laughton]

I have a Canadian case that has the "Kipling Effect" and since our GWF pals have been through this I suspect that you will have some valuable input.

 

The topic on the CEFSG is here: (yes, this is also a Norm Christie case the same as Kipling!)

Christie Case: B125 Unknown Cpt. 85th - E. R. Clayton, M.C.

I researched the case as Norm does not submit reports to the CWGC. I agreed with his findings and submitted a report which you can find here:

 

CEFSG Unknown Reports Submitted

 

The direct link to the Captain Clayton (Lieutenant / Temporary Captain) report is here:

 

Captain Edward Reginald Clayton Tyne Cot Cemetery Plot 16 Row A Grave 4

 

This week the question came up as to the rank insignia in this case, as it appears this was "Lieutenant / Temporary Captain Clayton" and the remains might be instead those of "Captain / Acting Major Anderson". I responded as to what I had previously located in the LG and the War Diary that suggested to me that it was Clayton and not Anderson, but I must deal with the rank question seriously at this point. If it was in the LG 2 months prior to the death, would they be wearing their Acting or Temporary Rank on the battlefield or their Permanent Rank? Clearly it appears to be Clayton based on the time line of the battle, but I have to be sure or pull the report to the CWGC.

 

That response is here: http://cefresearch.ca/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?p=106746#p106746

 

Quote

Most certainly I will take another look at the file, particularly after the Kipling affair. I had Anderson as an Acting Major as early as 16 August 1917 (see MC LG30234 page 43 of 86). At some prior point his Acting Major status was relinquished but then reestablished on 3 July 1917 (see LG30218 page 11 of 20). Clayton was a Temporary Captain (not Acting) at 9 August 1917 (see LG30504 page 11 of 16). As such, I suspect that they would be wearing the proper insignia more than 2 months later, however you are the military man not me!

Acting Major Anderson was lost at the final objective late in the day, so much further to the east. Temporary Captain Clayton was lost at the start of the action (about 6:15 am with Captain Hensley), back close to where the Battalion HQ was located on XY night at 28.D.16.d.4.5 prior to moving close to Hillside Farm at 28.D.17.b.25.80. I will need to refresh my memory on the location where the remains were located at 28.D.16.b.6.3, as I recall that we know that was near an Aid Station - it may have been Australian.

For the benefit of others, here are the links to the war diary pages as well, where both Clayton and Anderson are referenced:

http://data2.collectionscanada.ca/e/e045/e001121639.jpg
http://data2.collectionscanada.ca/e/e045/e001121640.jpg
http://data2.collectionscanada.ca/e/e045/e001121641.jpg
http://data2.collectionscanada.ca/e/e045/e001121642.jpg
http://data2.collectionscanada.ca/e/e045/e001121643.jpg
http://data2.collectionscanada.ca/e/e045/e001121644.jpg

The Field Ambulances were clearing the dead in the area of the remains from 28.D.16.b.7.1 to 28.D.16.b.6.7 at Hamburg (see orders). I suspect that is when they picked up Clayton and Hensley. Hensley was already at 28.D.12.a.2.1, but was not recovered until 26 June 1920 (see COG-BR 2155882), so we know the Field Ambulance did not recover his remains. He was still wearing Lieutenant stars.

The actual map from the War Diary is also in the appendix (see here). I have never pinpointed Hill 13, the source of the German machine gun fire, but it was apparently in square E.13 central, which coincides with the arrow pointing at the 85th battalion on that map. It must be somewhere along Easel Trench.

 

The Daily Orders after their death, still have Clayton as a Lieutenant and Anderson as a Captain. I am just not clear as to whether someone who was LG reported as a Temporary Captain and/or and Acting Major would be wearing the insignia of their permanent rank or their "rank of the day" at the time of the battle.

 

 

 

 

[laughton]

This matter has now been resolved. A picture of Anderson wearing the rank of Major was located within the Nova Scotia archives by Vimy Pilgrim. See this post:

 

http://cefresearch.ca/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?p=106788#p106788

 

The image is is believed to be in the early fall of 1917 so just prior to his service in Passchendaele where he was killed.