Medal Index Card
Image : Western Front Pension Cards
George was born on the 1st August 1897, in Delight Row, Dipton, County Durham, to Charles Middleton, born 20th June 1847, and Louisa (nee Lewin), born 1865. They were married on the 16th August 1884. George was one of eleven children, only eight survived, and he also had four step-siblings from his father’s first marriage, the youngest of which died only a few weeks after his birth, from which his mother did not recover.
George’s siblings were Charlotte Ann Middleton, born 9th September 1884, married Frederick Laight in 1921, and died in September 1973, Lillian 'Lillie' Middleton born 11th October 1885, married John Nowley in 1904, died 27th November 1965, Charles Middleton, born 24th June 1889, married Eleanor Richardson in 1911, died 29th November 1960, Ada Middleton, born 11th February 1892, died 12th March 1892, Alfred Middleton, born 8th June 1893, married Hilda Pears on the 29th November 1917, died 29th November 1960, Florence Middleton, born 14th December 1895, married William Smith in 1920, died 5th June 1935, Robert Middleton, born 26th April 1899, married Elizabeth Curry on the 17th April 1920, died 1st February 1936, Harriet Middleton, born 15th December 1901, married Charles Dodds in 1920, died in 1921 after the birth of her baby and Sadie Middleton, born 8th June 1905, died 10th November 1906.
George’s step-siblings were Mary Ann Middleton, born 23rd August 1871, married Joseph Knotts on the 23rd August 1890, died 15th January 1922, Elizabeth Middleton, born March 1876, married George Lawson in 1900, died 8th August 1956, James Henry Middleton, born 8th April 1878, married Isabella Storey on the 1st February 1899, then Helena Piggins in 1928, died 6th January 1946 and Charles Middleton, born 30th August 1883, died 4th October 1883.
The family resided in Delight Row, Dipton, Collierley, County Durham and father Charles was a coalminer.
George’s father, Charles Middleton, was born in Rodgate, Marsham, Norfolk on the 20th June 1847, to Henry Middleton and Mary Ann (nee Farrow). His father, Henry, was an agricultural labourer. Charles had eight siblings.
Charles’ first wife, Anna Maria Hewitt, was born in Hindringham, Norfolk, on the 21st April 1851, to James Hewitt and Charlotte Elizabeth (nee Temple). She had six siblings and her father, James, was also a farm labourer.
Charles and Anna Maria married on the 6th December 1869, in Saint Mary’s Church, Horton, Northumberland. Charles was still a coal miner and, had moved north to obtain work first to Delaval, in 1871, then the Dipton area in County Durham after 1876. Some years later his sister, Mary Ann, along with her husband, George Lewin and their family, had also moved north and were living in the same street as Charles and his family.
Anna Maria died after giving birth to her fourth child and Charles married again, on the 16th August 1884, to Louisa Lewin, his niece and the daughter of his sister, Mary Ann. Louisa’s father, George, was a basket maker.
George enlisted into the 6th (Service) Battalion, King’s Own Scottish Borderers at Stormley? [sic] Stanley, Co Durham in April 1915.
The 6th (Service) Battalion, King’s Own Scottish Borderers, was formed at Berwick upon Tweed in August 1914, as part of the first New Army (K1). They then moved to Bordon, East Hampshire, and joined the 28th Brigade of the 9th Division. In March 1915, they moved to Bramshott, East Hampshire and, on 12th May 1915, they mobilised for war and landed at Boulogne, France. They were engaged in various actions but suffered heavy casualties at the Battle of Loos in September 1915, which was the first battle in which the British forces used poison gas.
George went to France on the 5th October 1915, probably with reinforcements for the heavy losses that had occurred during the Battle of Loos. He was involved in his Battalion’s actions from then. On the 6th May 1916, George was transferred, with the 6th Battalion, to the 27th Brigade of the 9th Division, and continued to engage in action on the Western Front. He was involved in the first battles of the Somme but was wounded at the Battle of Delville Wood on the 18th July, when the Germans launched an attack and forced the battalion back to the Southern edge of Longueval village. George was eventually sent to the 2nd Stationary Hospital in Abbeville, before dying from his wounds on the 26th July 1916 at the age of 18.
George was awarded the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. A dependant’s pension was awarded to George’s father of ten shillings, ten pence (Art 21) from the 4th April 1917 for 242 weeks, then twelve shillings, six pence for life.
George’s father died on the 10th February 1923 in Delight Row, Dipton, from bronchitis and cardiac failure and is buried in St John's Churchyard in Dipton.
Taken from Stanley and Chester-le-Street News, Thursday 15/02/1923
Death of Mr Charles Middleton
At the age of 75 years, Mr Charles Middleton, of Delight Rows, passed away on Saturday. He was the husband of Mrs Louisa Middleton and a resident of the village for many years. A popular figure and a man who had everybody’s esteem, he claimed hosts of friends. For many years, deceased worked at the Delight Colliery and was always respected by both employers and fellow workmen for his uprightness and earned endeavour. He was a lover of the village sports and all his sons are followers and players in the village football teams. Many expressions of regret were manifest at the interment at St John’s on Wednesday afternoon.
George’s mother, Louisa, married again to a Robert Dixon on the 23rd August 1924 in Lanchester Register Office, Durham. Both bride and groom were widows at the time of their marriage.
Louisa died on the 18th March 1947 from myocardial degeneration, arteriosclerosis, senility and chronic bronchitis. She was a widow at the time of her death. She died at 9 East Street, Stanley.
Research: Jennifer Stephenson
George William Middleton is remembered at Dipton on D46.02
