William John CLEGG MC
1/1st Yorkshire Dragoons (Queen’s Own) Yeomanry

Date of birth: 24th September 1897
Date of death: 20th February 1969

Survived aged 71
Unknown
William John Clegg was born at 14 Lawson Road, Ecclesall, Sheffield on the 24th of September 1897 the only son of Leonard Johnson Clegg JP, a solicitor, and his second wife Kate (nee Turton) Clegg of Whiteley Wood, Sheffield in Yorkshire.

He was educated at Hazelwood School until July 1911 where he was a member of the Choir. He was a member of the Cricket XI in 1909, 1910 and 1911 and of the Football XI in 1909 and 1910. The school magazine wrote the following on his 1909 cricket season: - "Very inexperienced at present, but shows some promise as a bat; very slow in the field."

Of his 1910 cricket season they wrote: - "Slow with the bat, and in the field; will render a better account of himself when he gains more self confidence; at present he sadly under rates the value of aggression."

They wrote of his 1911 cricket season: - "Very keen to do his best, and improved in ground fielding, but scarcely a fielder."

They wrote the following of his 1909 football season: - "(Left half) - Belongs to the heavy dragoon type and is rather slow, but is sure to be useful as soon as he has learnt to apply to the ball his undoubted strength of limb."

Of his 1910 football season they wrote: - "(Goal keeper) - A moderately sound though far from clever custodian; has displayed at times a fatal hesitancy, while his punting is deficient in length."

On leaving the school the magazine wrote of him: - "Both XI's and choir. Not blessed by nature with an athletic frame he yet took a keen and active part in school games. Made a splendid use of his time in school, and took an excellent place at his Public School."

He went on to Uppingham School where he was in Highfield House from September 1911 to April 1914.

On leaving school he was articled to his father's firm of L.J. Clegg and Sons, solicitors of 14 Fig Tree Lane, Sheffield.

He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Yorkshire Dragoons on the 12th of November 1915, was later promoted to Lieutenant and served in France, Belgium and Germany from September 1916 to May 1919. In February 1918 the regiment was dismounted, converted to a cyclist battalion and served with II Corps from the 16th of March 1918 until the end of the war.

He was awarded the Military Cross which was announced in the London Gazette of the 4th of October 1919 and the citation read:-

"On 20th October 1918, south-west of Vichte, for conspicuous gallantry and good work whilst leading an advanced platoon. He continually came under very heavy machine-gun fire from his flank. He pressed forward, and succeeded in capturing seven field guns and over thirty prisoners. It was greatly owing to his fearless leadership that his company were able to advance about a mile and a half in front of the infantry."

After the war he returned to work as a solicitor.

He was married to Audrey Ivy (nee MacLaren) at Hove Parish Church on the 2nd of September 1926; they lived at Sandy Gate, Sheffield, and later at High House, Worksop and at Bay House, 1 Marine Parade, Budleigh Salterton.

Following the outbreak of the Second World War he was appointed to the War Claims Commission in 1939 and he died in Devon in February 1969.
Went on to Uppingham School

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