Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of William Clayton an agricultural labourer, born 1856 in Holloway, Derbys., and his wife Ellen Clayton (nee Staples), born 1846 in Castle Donington, Leics. Edward was born in 1888 in Castle Donington, Leics., his half blood siblings were, Emma Johnston, born 1873 at St. George’s in the East, Middx., John William Johnston, born 1879, Sarah Johnston, born 1883, Lizzie Staples Johnston, born 1885 and George Johnston, born 1886, the latter four siblings were all born in Castle Donington, Leics., in April 1891 the family home was at Barroon, Castle Donington, Leics. In March 1901 Edward was residing at 4, Station Road, Moll’s Row, Castle Donington, Leics., this being the family home of his maternal uncle Reuben Staples an agricultural labourer, born 1864 in Castle Donington, Leics., and his wife Elizabeth A., born 1874 in Hemington, Leics., also residing in the family home was their daughter Sarah, born 1897 in Castle Donington, Leics., and also his uncle’s brother in law, Thomas Shaw a grocer’s carter, born 1887 in Castle Donington, Leics. In April 1911 Edward was employed as a general labourer and was residing in the family home at Gadd’s Yard, Clapgun Street, Castle Donington, Leics., together with his father, now tractor engine driver, his mother and half blood siblings, John William Johnston and Lizzie Staples Johnston. His mother had been the wife of the late John Staples, who she married in Mile End Old Town, London in 1865, after being widowed she married William Clayton in 1886 in Shardlow, Derbyshire. In the October, November, December quarter of 1915, Edward married Emily Mary Hickinbotham in the Shardlow, Derbyshire marriage registration district. Edward died from meningitis.