One of Rushden’s keenest trade unionists and one of the first presidents of the Rushden and District Trades and Labour Council, Mr. Charles Clayton (67), of 42 Sartoris-road, Rushden, passed away on Saturday morning after a short illness. A native of the town, he was a member of an old Rushden family and had resided in Sartoris-road for 30 years. A keen footballer, he was a member of the Rushden Town team which won the Northants Senior Cup, Kettering and District Charity Cup in 1892 and 1893. He had also played football for the county, and was for some years a member of the Young Men’s Friendly Society Cricket Club. For 35 years prior to his retirement, Mr. Clayton worked for Messrs John Cave and Sons Ltd., as a laster. He was a member of the Allotment Association and in his younger days attended St. Mary’s Church. Two sons, Mr. Denis Clayton and Mr. Walter Clayton, are bereaved. Their mother passed away some 20 years ago. On Tuesday the Rushden cemetery chapel was the scene of the funeral service, which was conducted by the Vicar of St. Peter’s, the Rev. Edwin Hirst. The chief mourners were Mr. W. Clayton (son), Mr. and Mrs. D. Clayton (son and daughter-in-law), Mr. H. Clayton (brother) and Mr. and Mrs. F. Fox (brother-in-law and sister). Messrs. Whittington and Tomlin carried out the funeral arrangements.