CLAYTON, Lewis, Rev (1884-1950)
Assembly memorial minute, 1951
Lewis Clayton was born in Western Australia, at Albany, on the 17th April, 1884. The family was attached to the Salvation Army, and Lewis was trained as one of its officers. He volunteered during the First World War, and served as a sergeant in the 40th Battalion of the First A.I.F. When he was demobilised, he obtained a farm under Repatriation in Tasmania, where he and his young family were happily established. During this farming career, he experienced the greatest event of his life, when a Presbyterian Home Missioner suggested that he should help in the conduct of Divine Services. Training as a Salvation Army officer, together with his natural willing nature, helped him to become a homely and efficient preacher. Friendship with the missionary inspired him to give increasingly of his time and energy to the work of the Church, until he surrendered a prosperous farm career for the full-time service of his Church.
In 1922, he entered the Home Mission service in Tasmania, and served, while studying in that course, in the Bothwell and Kempton Home Mission Station. He came over to Victoria in 1926, and was stationed at Buninyong, to enter the Theological Hall the following year. He completed exit in 1929, and was appointed to Inglewood, where he was ordained and inducted on the 26th May, 1930.
He always had a great affection for Tasmania, and was in 1933 translated from Inglewood to Devonport. In 1938, he was Moderator of the Assembly of Tasmania. On the 2nd January, 1939, he was translated to Werribee, where one of his duties was chaplaincy to the Laverton Air Force station. However, soon after the outbreak of war he resigned the parish of Werribee, and on the 31st March, 1940, was appointed the first Presbyterian Chaplain of the R.A.A.F. As Chaplain to Laverton and Point Cook camps, he pioneered this office and set a high standard in its duties, in his zeal for the welfare of young men. He resigned this office and was inducted into the Daylesford charge on the 3rd December, 1941.
In 1944 he was translated to Sunbury, and in 1949 to Beechworth, his final parish. In both these spheres he proved a very able Chaplain to the Mental Hospitals. In the extensive parish of Beechworth each Sunday he travelled some 90 miles over rough roads for the conduct of services.
Mr. Clayton was a faithful Presbyter, gladly accepting a full share of responsibilities, while extending sincere brotherliness to his fellows. He was seldom heard in Assembly gatherings, but was ready to champion the cause of justice and to defend sufferers against inequalities and wrongs. This was the burden of his last word, when he spoke before the Assembly of privileges he considered to be granted to some tax-payers and denied to others. He was a faithful pastor, enjoying a pleasing disposition that endeared him to the sick and aged. Of quiet and gentle disposition, he was a faithful Minister of the Gospel, firm in his convictions, and true to his ideals. He took all tasks seriously, and sought to discharge them with conscientious thoroughness. He was a devoted husband, inspired by the whole-hearted co-operation of his wife in the work of the Church; a father beloved by a devoted family.
He died on Friday the 26th May, 1950, in the Assembly Hall, ten minutes after having spoken on the floor of the House.
To Mrs. Clayton and her seven children, the Assembly tenders sincere sympathy.
Gender
- Male