Robert Clayton Browne-Clayton

Robert Clayton Browne-Clayton was the son of William Clayton Browne-Clayton, of Browne’s Hill, Co. Carlow. He was commissioned in the 5th (Royal Irish) Lancers from the Militia on 24 December 1890. Browne-Clayton was Adjutant of his regiment during the South African War (1899-1902), during which he was three times mentioned in despatches, but on 22 May 1909 he retired from the army in the rank of major. He was 39. His retirement did not completely curtail his military activity, however. He remained as an officer in the Special Reserve, serving with the South Irish Horse.

In July 1915 he was appointed CO 16th Battalion Cheshire Regiment, one of the Bantam battalions raised by the Birkenhead MP Sir Alfred Bigland. 16th Cheshires deployed to France in January 1916 as part of 105th Brigade, 35th Division. Browne-Clayton was awarded the DSO for his part in the fighting at Trones Wood in July 1916. He was promoted GOC 59th Brigade, 20th (Light) Division on 14 October. 20th Division took part in no more operations on the Somme after 8 October and was comparatively little employed in the first half of 1917. Browne-Clayton remained in command until 26 August 1917 when he was replaced a few days after the battle of Langemarck.