IN MEMORIAM - ABEL LAYTON 1891-1915

IN MEMORIAM
ABEL LAYTON 1891-1915

Layton, Abel – 14428, 2nd Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment, formerly 22372, Corps of Hussars of the Line. Born 13th October 1891 in Sparkbrook, Birmingham; the youngest son of Abel Layton (1853-1917) of Mathon, Worcestershire, and Mary Layton [nee Hinson] (1857-1917) of Stechford, Warwickshire, having resided at 35 White Road, Aston, Birmingham (c. 1891), 37 White Road, Aston, Birmingham (c. 1901) and 73 White Road, Sparkbrook, Birmingham (c. 1911). Husband of Edith Layton [nee Scragg] (b. 1894); married 2nd March 1915 at St Nicholas Parish Church, Nottingham, of 1 Kingslake Street, Nottingham (1915), 309 Castle Boulevard (1916), 6a Hermit Street, Nottingham (1921-31), 126 London Road, Nottingham (1933-38), 138 London Road, Nottingham, [both in The Meadows] (1939-73). Private Abel Layton enlisted in Nottingham on 7th September 1914, having previously served with the 5th Royal Warwickshire Regiment for four years (discharged in 1912). He was posted into the Corps of Hussars of the Line on 10th September 1914 and transferred to the East Yorkshire Regiment 8th Battalion on 14th October 1914. He was posted to the 3rd Battalion of the East Yorkshires on 8th March 1915 and having completed his training at Victoria Barracks, Beverley Parks, the depot for the East Yorkshire Regiment,  he was sent to France on 22nd April 1915. He was posted to the 2nd Battalion of the East Yorkshires on the same day (22nd April) and he was reported missing and killed in action on 5th May 1915 at the 2nd Battle of the Ypres Salient in Belgium, where the Germans first released poison gas into the allied lines, North of Ypres. This was possibly during or following the Battle of St Julien (24th April-4th May, 1915). He died without issue, aged 23. Medals: Campaign Medal 1914-15 Star; British War Medal; Victory Medal. His widow married Leonard Johnson at St Nicholas Parish Church, Nottingham, in 1916. Abel Layton is listed amongst the War dead on Panel 21 and 31 of the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial in Belgium and on the Lenton War Memorial, Church Street, Nottingham.

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