A FOVANT soldier buried in an unknown grave has been honoured in a rededication service - more than 100 years after his death.

A service was held for Captain (Capt) Vivian Hastings Clay who was killed on the Western Front while serving with antecedent regiments to The Rifles.

After the First World War his remains had been buried in Warlencourt British Cemetery as an unknown Captain of The Wiltshire Regiment. As he was missing, Captain Clay was commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial in France.

A rededication service was also held for Serjeant (Sjt) Arthur Harry Morton.

The graves of both men were identified after researchers contacted the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s (CWGC) presenting evidence they had been found.

Further research by the National Army Museum and the MOD’s Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC), also known as the ‘MOD War Detectives’ confirmed the findings.

The services, which were organised by the JCCC, also known as the ‘MOD War Detectives’, were held at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s (CWGC) Warlencourt British Cemetery on June 21 and Cojeul British Cemetery on June 22.

Rosie Barron, JCCC case lead said: “Although the families of Capt Clay and Sjt Morton were unable to attend these rededication services, both men are still fondly remembered by them. It has been an honour to organise these services alongside The Rifles, their regimental family.

“The two soldiers’ sacrifice and devotion to duty will never be forgotten.”

Capt Clay was killed during the Battle of the Somme, on what was his 24th birthday, 18 October 1916.

He was serving with 2nd Battalion The Wiltshire Regiment which took part in an attack east of Le Sars that day.

The battalion was successful in taking the first German line and were ordered to consolidate. Capt Clay is reported to have been walking on the top of the trench encouraging his men to consolidate their position when he was fatally shot.

One of his men stated: “After setting a splendid example in grenade throwing, he endeavoured to persuade his men to dig a communications trench to our lines. They were most reluctant, so he and I went out into the open in the hope that they would follow. Almost immediately he was struck in the back.”

After the war, Capt Clay’s remains were recovered and buried in Warlencourt British Cemetery as an unknown Captain of The Wiltshire Regiment. As he was missing, Captain Clay was commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial in France.

Sjt Morton, aged 19, from Guildford, Surrey, was killed on 9 April 1917, the first day of the Battle of Arras. He was serving with 9th Battalion The King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry

The services were conducted by the Reverend Thomas Wilde CF, Chaplain to 2nd Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment and were attended by serving soldiers of 5th Battalion The Rifles.

He 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.”

 

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