Alfred was born on 27th November 1897 at 24 Dixie Street, one of twins.  Alfred survived, but sadly his twin brother Frank died six hours after the birth. 

At the time of the 1901 census Alfred's parents were still living at Dixie Street, Jacksdale.  At that time his father Frances (Frank) was aged 38 and his mother Hannah (known as Annie) was aged 35.  Sister Elizabeth (Bessie) was 8 years,  Dorothy was 6 and Alfred was 3.  In 1902 another son named Frank was born.  It was in the early 1900s that the Clayton family moved next door to Clee Cottage.

Alfred Clayton obviously moved back to Dixie Street as this is given as his home on the 'Absent Voters Roll 1918/19' .

Alf was a poultry farmer and estate agent's secretary to the Duke of Rutland Belvoir Estate.  In 1929, Alf married Ethel Gregory in Lancashire. Ethel died in 1965, and Alf subsequently married Sally Taylor (an ex- Dixie Street girl) in Leicestershire.  He was a Methodist local preacher for 52 years and an interesting fact is that his father, brother and himself were circuit stewards in the Methodist Church in different circuits at the same time.  Alf was in the Grantham circuit, whereas his father was in the Ripley circuit and his brother at Derby  South. Alf's father Frank was Sunday School Superintendent at the nearby Pyehill Methodist Chapel and Alf's mother Hannah, began the 'Women's Missionary Meetings' there. A window in the Pyehill Chapel is dedicated to Alfred's parents. Frank Clayton senior was also Secretary of the Codnor Park and Ironville Co-op, working from their offices in King William Street, Ironville and is listed as such in Kelly's Directories for the years 1900 to 1912.

Alf Clayton died at the grand old age of 94 years on 18th December 1991.

Above: From Left to Right - Frances (Frank) Clayton (Alf’s father), Hannah (Annie) Clayton (Alf’s mother), sister Dorothy Clayton (seated) , Aunt Polly Platt and Alf’s brother and sister, Frank and Bessie. Alf is centre back in uniform. Taken in 1916 shortly after Alf Clayton had joined up.
		Above: Alfred Clayton with his sister Elizabeth (Bessie) Clayton.  Bessie is wearing the uniform of a V.A.D. (Voluntary Aid Detachment) Nurse.  Note that the garden path is edged with stone ginger bottles.

Photographs kindly provided by Robert Johnson, great nephew of Frank Clayton.   Robert is researching his family tree and is especially interested in the CLAYTON & HENSHAW families of Jacksdale.  Please contact the webmaster if you can help.

Last updated 28th Nov 2004