Thomas Arthur Walton, one of 11 known children, was the 4th born of 6 sons and 5 daughters. His parents Thomas Walton of Wolsingham and Frances Mason native of South Moor, both in County Durham, were born in 1853 and married November 5th 1874 at Wolsingham. They initially settled at Tow Law, County Durham where their daughters Catherine known as Kate, Jane and sons William and Robert were born in 1875,1876, August 27th 1877 and 1881 respectively. Two years later they had moved to Whitfield’s Buildings, Longbenton, Northumberland, where Thomas was employed as a stone mason. It was here that his wife gave birth to the remainder of their children, George Burnhope February 28th 1883, Thomas Arthur March 14th 1886, Christopher P. 1889, Hannah 1890, Frances H. 1891, Caroline Elizabeth know as Lizzie 1892 and Luke Seymour Walton April 28th 1894. Between 1895 and 1901 they transferred to 24, Byron Terrace, Elswick a suburb of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Thomas was now employed as a bricklayer as were Thomas Arthur and Robert. In search of work they returned to County Durham settling in the district of Lanchester where Thomas Walton died in 1908 aged only 55 years.

Frances remarried in 1910 to Robert Faulding native of Lanchester, born 1853. Robert, a colliery labourer, had married Sarah Ann Carrick of West Butsfield, County Durham with whom he had 3 daughters, Esther born 1891, Isabella 1892 and Annie 1898, he had been a widower since 1901. In 1911 they were living at Cornsay, address unspecified, Christopher Walton was employed at the brick works as a labourer, George Burnhope and Luke Seymour Walton underground at the colliery as drivers, coal miner/hewer, 28-year-old David Birtley was their lodger.

Thomas Arthur was married in the district of Gateshead, County Durham, in 1904 to Mary Ellen Thynne born 1885 at Gateshead and with whom he had 3 children, unfortunately only 2 survived, Thomas Henry born 1908 at Gateshead and Norman born 1911 at Chirton, North Shields, where they were living in 1 room at 37, Front Street, he was employed as a coal miner/hewer underground.

By 1915 he and his family had moved to 26, Billy Mill Lane, Chirton and he was now a driver. He enlisted at North Shields, January 23rd 1915 assigned as Driver T4/043466 Army Service Corps, having been given a reference by his employer, Thomas Atkinson General Carter & Contractor Hay & Corn Merchant, Field House, Coach Lane, North Shields, it reads, “This is to certify that Thomas Arthur Walton has worked for me for fifteen month & I have always found him to be steady & is quite qualified in driving two horses.” The Army Service Corps were the unsung heroes of WW1 keeping food, equipment, ammunition, horses and vehicles, on the move, using horsed and motor vehicles, railways and waterways, performing feats of logistic that went a long way to the winning of the war. At its peak the A.S.C. numbered 10,547 officers and 315,334 men. He was the recipient of the British War Medal and Victory Medal also the 1914-15 Star had he served overseas during that period.

All the Walton brothers were of eligible age to serve during WW1, however not all details are available as 70% of records were destroyed during the blitz of WW2. Thomas Arthur’s brother William served as Driver 043202 Army Service Corps, Luke Seymour Walton as Private 2036 Durham Light Infantry, they survived the conflict, however, George Burnhope Walton was killed in action on the Somme in 1916. Details as regards Robert and Christopher P. Walton unknown

His mother Frances Faulding-Walton nee Mason died aged 64 years, June 9th 1917 at 22, Cornsay Cottages, Cornsay Colliery, of dyspepsia and myocarditis, her husband Robert was present at the time of her death.

Robert Faulding died in the district of Lanchester in 1921 aged 67 years.

In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.