( Spelt Claud on Australian Roll of Honour ) Sergeant 1352, 5th Company, Australian Machine Gun Corps. Killed in action at Pozieres 29th July 1916 ( Australian ROH .pdf states 29th August 1916 ) Aged 23. Born South Lowestoft, enlisted Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Son of Thomas Charles and Edith Lucy Castleton, of 18, Wilson Rd., Lowestoft (in 1926 their address was 20 Rochetser Road, Lowestoft). Teacher in a Council School. Educated at Municipal Secondary School, Lowestoft. Emigrated aged 19. Awarded the Victoria Cross (V.C.). Buried in POZIERES BRITISH CEMETERY, OVILLERS-LA BOISSELLE, Somme, France. Plot IV. Row L. Grave 43. An extract from "The London Gazette", No. 29765, dated, 26th September 1916, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery. During an attack on the enemy's trenches the infantry was temporarily driven back by the intense machine gun fire opened by the enemy. Many wounded were left in "No Man's Land" lying in shell holes. Serjt. Castleton went out twice in face of this intense fire and each time brought in a wounded man on his back. He went out a third time and was bringing in another wounded man when he was himself hit in the back and killed instantly. He set a splendid example of courage and self-sacrifice" http://www.awm.gov.au/cms_images/awm131/009/009371.pdf http://www.diggerhistory.info/pages-vc/castleton-vc.htm http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=9927753 Claud Castleton was born in Kirkey, Lowestoft. Educated at a council school he won a scholarship to the grammar school. In 1912 he set off on a long adventure, stopping first at Melbourne, Australia. He worked in various parts of Australia before heading to New Guinea, intending to earn funds for the return journey to England via New Zealand, India and Africa. Matters changed with the outbreak of the First World War. he joined the Australian force formed in New Guinea for the defence of the area in the face of German warship activities. He subsequently served at Gallipoli, where he earned promotion. He was 23 years old, and a Sergeant in the 5th Machine Gun Corps, Australian Imperial Force http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claude_Charles_Castleton
