Gerald was born on 3 February 1916 in Mile End, London to Jack and Leah née Alexander. The family changed their surname to Clayden post war. In 1939, the family were living at 11 Neasden Lane, Willesden and Gerald was working as an optician. Gerald had an older brother Lionel who married Myra Landau and a younger sister Ethel who married Jack Drake. Gerald’s brother Lionel served in the Royal Army Medical Corps in Malta and on his return became a GP.

Gerald was the wireless operator on Wellington R1604 which departed RAF Stradishall on an operation to Mannheim. The aircraft crashed at Sint Annaland, Tholen, Holland. During 1972 the Royal Netherlands Air Force excavated wreckage from this bomber after which it was suggested its demise may have been caused by a lightning strike. The crew rests at Vlissingen cemetery:

Sgt E W Foxlee RCAF (KIA)
Sgt J H Williamson (KIA)
Sgt J E Jerrard (KIA)
Sgt G Klusky (KIA)
Sgt E Halestrap (KIA)
Sgt K Morris (KIA)