Gerald Clayton

In the novel They Came to Baghdad, Gerard Clayton is the British Consul in Basra. He was in his office at the consulate when an incident happened in his waiting room. Robert Hall, a commercial traveller drew a revolver and attempted to shoot a man dressed in Arab clothes. Richard Baker, who was also in the waiting room, foiled the attempt and the Arab fled.

Clayton did not know that the Arab was actually Henry Carmichael, a British agent. Carmichael had recognised Baker, an old school friend, and had tapped out a warning message in morse to him. This was what led Baker to intervene so quickly when Hall drew his weapon. Baker did not tell Clayton all this background but did tell him about Hall's excuse: that he was just "having a bit of fun", that he thought the Arab was the one who had cheated him in the sale of some antika and he wanted to scare him. Clayton did not exactly believe this rather flimsy excuse, noting that commercial travellers do not normally go around with guns. In this Baker noted that Clayton was no fool. Nonetheless, because the Arab had been unharmed, Clayton thought it best to let the matter slide.

Clayton is married to Rosa, a highly hospitable woman who delights in hosting and going shopping with visitors passing through Basra.