Wilmer Gordon Clayson

23 October 1924 - 07 March 2016

Wilmer Gordon Clayson was born in London in 1924. He joined an auctioneers firm in Dover in 1940 before volunteering for the Army, lying about his age. He had to leave eight months later when asked to produce a birth certificate, but was called up in 1942 when he joined the Rifle Brigade.

On 04 June 1944 Gordon left from Tilbury with the D-Day forces. His brigade was heavily involved in the battle for Caen, before his division was withdrawn and proceeded to the area around Villers-Bocage and Tillysur-Seulles to cut off German supplies.

Gordon was an anti-tank gunner in the 7th Armoured Division of the Rifle Brigade during the Battle of Villers-Bocage on 13 June. Forced to take cover in a ditch, he sustained numerous injuries from a blast from a Tiger tank round. Shrapnel broke his jaw before exiting through his cheek, and a piece lodged in his head where it remained for the rest of his life. He received numerous other injuries to his upper body and his right foot lay at an impossible angle. Gordon was picked up by German medics, loaded onto a stretcher and taken to a field operating theatre, where his right leg was removed below the knee without anaesthetic as none was available.

He remained a prisoner for 10 weeks before being liberated by American soldiers. Gordon was repatriated and had two further operations before being transferred to Childwall Military Hospital in Liverpool. He returned to his job at the auctioneers where he met Rosemary Peacock who became his wife in 1950. In 1954, he took his industry exams and got the highest marks in the country. In 1955, he moved from Kent to Hampshire and became the principle auctioneer for Pearson and Sons. He was a consultant for Philips of London, and later Bonhams, before retiring in 1993.

He endured his disability and increasing mobility difficulties with great fortitude, supported always by his devoted wife, Rosemary. Latterly, he was also supported by Blesma, particularly by Steve Fraser, BSO for the South West. Gordon died peacefully at home at the age of 91. He is survived by Rosemary, his children Alan, Richard, Kate and the late Mary, 13 grandchildren, (one deceased) and 11 great-grandchildren.