BAYTON, William

William Bayton was the son of Mrs Mary Bayton of. 53 Cawney Hill, Dudley. He was an early volunteer for the Leicestershire Regiment and served in the 1st Battalion in the 6th Division. This was a regular Division which fought on the Aisne and at Armenti?res in 1914, in the Second Battle of Ypres in 1915 and came to the Somme in 1916 for its third phase. In the general attack of the 15th September they were in the front line at Ginchy facing the German stronghold of the Quadrilateral. The Leicesters were in the attack on that day and were repulsed by stout German defence and the effects of their heavy artillery. Elsewhere, there were useful gains but fresh forces had to be brought up to tackle the Quadrilateral. Among the casualties of the 15th September was Private William Bayton who was killed in action. He was 21 years of age and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial and also on the Dudley and St. John's, Kates Hill, Dudley, Memorials.