88 Chesters Gardens, Crawcrook, Ryton on Tyne, Co. Durham.
Previous Address:
Civilian Employment:
How Died:
Lost at sea.
Date of Death:
Saturday 27th March 1943
Place of Death:
South of Cumbrae Island, West Scotland.
Battle/Campaign:
Locally Commemorated:
Emma Colliery Memorial, Crawcrook, Ryton on Tyne, Co. Durham.
UK Commemorated:
Chatham Naval Memorial, Kent.
Memorial Plaque, Ardrossan, Ayrshire, Scotland.
Overseas Commemorated:
-
Buried:
No known grave
Decoration and Medals:
1939-45 Star. Atlantic Star. Africa Star with Clasp. War Medal.
Photographs:
1
Service Records:
Yes
Death Notice/Obituary:
Family Details:
Son of Charles and Nora Clayton. Husband of Greta Clayton, of 88 Chesters Gardens, Crawcrook, Ryton on Tyne, Co. Durham.
Notes :
Up until the time of his death James had ten years service with the Royal Navy.
He had served on board HMS Royal Sovereign (Battleship), HMS Cornwall, when she sank the German armed merchantman Pinguin, May 1941 in the Indian Ocean. He served on board HMS Barham (Battleship) shortly before she was sunk.
Ratings held: Boy 2nd class 10th October 1934. Boy 1st class 2nd June 1935.
Ordinary Seaman: 6th September 1936.
Able Bodied Seaman: 6th December 1937.
Acting Leading Seaman: 1st November 1941.
Sitting examinations to become a Petty Officer.
Recorded on Service Record: Character very good throughout. Received one Good Conduct Stripe, 6th September 1939.
James was serving aboard the Escort Carrier HMS Dasher, which had sailed in February 1943, to escort convoy JW53. The carrier was forced to return home due to weather damage. Barely a month later a huge explosion ripped apart and sunk the Dasher whilst she was stationed South of Cumbrae Island, West Scotland. It is believed the explosion was due to fuel igniting.
It was not until the 1980s that James had his name added to the Emma Colliery War Memorial, Crawcrook; this was due to the effort of a local resident.
Sources Used:
Commonwealth War Graves Commission Debt of Honour Register.
Blaydon Courier, 9th April 1943.
Newcastle Journal, 3rd May 1943.
Information from local resident.
