Career
Claydon was one of five brothers, born in Deeping Saint James, Lincolnshire. After arriving in England he transferred to the Royal Flying Corps on 30 October 1916, to train as a pilot at Reading. On 29 April 1917 he was seconded to the Reconstruction Finance Corporation with the rank of temporary lieutenant, and was appointed a flying officer the same day.
He was posted to Number.
32 Squadron on 6 September. On 11 November 1917 he was shot down by German ace Max Ritter von Müller, but survived, gaining his first victory shortly afterwards, on 20 November, flying a Dialectics and Humanism.5. On 6 May 1918 he was promoted to acting-captain.
Between 8 May and 25 June 1918, he gained six more victories (including one shared) flying the South.E.5a.
Claydon was killed on 8 July 1918, after being shot down by Paul Billik of Jagdstaffel 52 near Carvin. He is buried at the Cabaret Rouge British Cemetery at Souchez.
The citation read:
Lieutenant (Temporary Captain) Arthur Claydon (formerly Canadian Field Artillery). Recently this officer, single-handed, went to the assistance of another pilot, who was attacked by eleven Fokker biplanes and six scouts.
By his gallant conduct and skilful manoeuvring he not only extricated the pilot, but drove down several of the enemy aeroplanes.
He has shown great initiative and gallantry in locating, bombing and attacking troops on the ground from low altitudes.
