NORMAN ANDREW CLAY (1897 – 1919)

319104 Flight Cadet Norman Andrew Clay, Royal Air Force died 29 October 1919 and is buried in West Auckland Cemetery.[1]  He was 21 years old and is commemorated on the West Auckland War Memorial.

Family Details

Norman Andrew Clay was born 1897 [2] at Bishop Auckland the son of William and Emily Clay.  There were 4 children:[3]

• Mildred Mary bc.1897 at Toft Hill
• Norman Andrew born 1897 at Bishop Auckland
• Harold Clarkson bc.1900 at Bishop Auckland
• Emily bc.1904 at West Auckland

In 1901, the family lived at Raby Terrace, West Auckland where 30 year old William worked as a coal miner (hewer).[4]  By 1911, the family still lived at Raby Terrace and William worked as a coal miner (shiftman).  13 year old Norman Andrew worked as a grocer shop boy. [5]  At the time of his death, Norman worked as a “brewer’s clerk” living at 44 Front Street, West Auckland.  His cause of death is recorded as “valvular disease of the heart”.[6]

Service Details

No research has been undertaken.

Burial

319104 Flight Cadet Norman Andrew Clay RAF is buried at grave reference D.14 West Auckland Cemetery.  Provided by his parents, his headstone carries the epitaph:

Love is Strong as Death

References

[1] Commonwealth War Graves Commission

[2] England & Wales 1837-1915 Birth Index Vol.10a p.230 Auckland 1897 Q3

[3] 1901 & 1911 census

[4] 1901 census

[5] 1911 census

[6] Death certificate dated 31 October 1919

Photographs:

CLAY N.A.
photo

CLAY N.A.
Headstone