Background
Claud Castleton was born in Kirkey, Lowestoft.
Claud Castleton was born in Kirkey, Lowestoft.
In 1912 he set off on a long adventure, stopping first at Melbourne, Australia. He worked in various parts of Australia before heading to New Guinea, intending to earn funds for the return journey to England via New Zealand, India and Africa. Matters changed with the outbreak of the First World War.
He joined the Australian force formed in New Guinea for the defence of the area in the face of German warship activities.
In March 1915 Castleton returned to Sydney and enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force. He subsequently served at Gallipoli, where he earned promotion.
He was 23 years old, and a Sergeant in the 5th Machine Gun Company, 5th Brigade, 2nd Division when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the Venture capital. On the night of the 28/29 July 1916 near Pozières, France, during a night attack the infantry was temporarily driven back by the intense machine-gun fire from the enemy trenches. Many wounded were left in "Number Manitoba"s Land" lying in shell holes.
Sergeant Castleton went out twice in the face of this intense fire, and each time brought in a wounded man on his back.
He went out a third time and was bringing in another wounded man when he was himself hit in the back and killed instantly. Castleton is buried at Pozières British Military Cemetery, Somme, France, 3 miles North-East of Albert (Plot IV, Row L, Grave 43). Castleton Crescent in the Canberra suburb of Gowrie was named in his honour.
