J.R.A. Wharton
Tyne Cot Memorial
DLI Memorial Book 12th October 1917
DLI Memorial Book
DLI Memorial Book
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Joseph Robert was born October 18th 1892 in Binchester Cottages, Old Park, County Durham, the second son of Joseph Armstrong Wharton 1857-1911 and Jane Anne Armstrong 1861-1935 and one of eight children, 5 boys and 3 girls. He was baptised November 17th 1892 in Bishop Auckland into the Methodist faith.
By 1901, at the age of 9, he was living with his uncle and aunt Edward and Mary Francis Williams (nee Evans) his father’s half sister, at 7 Granville Terrace, Old Park, his parents and the remainder of the family lived in the same street at number 61. Joseph Robert went on to become a miner, working as a putter, pushing the tubs of coal from the coal face to the shaft with the help of a barrow man. In 1911, he was still living with his uncle and aunt, now at 26 Arthur Street Ferryhill.
At the outbreak of war he enlisted, in Newcastle, September 5th 1914 in the 13th Battalion Durham Light Infantry with the rank of Private 19023. His military record describes him as being 21 years and 9 months, 5 feet 6½ inches tall and 136 pounds. Joseph Robert underwent training in England between September 6th 1914 and August 24th 1915.
August 25th he was posted to France and sent a postcard to his mother, informing her of this, to 11, John Street, Craghead. The postcard had his photograph on one side and on the other this message,
Dearest Mother, I hope that you remember this face and that you won’t forget that I am still alive. I leave England Aug 24th 1915 so I will be on the water or in the trenches when you get this photo. Accept all love best wishes and regards from your own far away boy, Joe, goodbye.
During his service the 13th Battalion D.L.I. was attached to the 68th Brigade, 23rd Division and engaged the enemy in the area of Menin Road, The Battle of Polygon Wood and the First Battle of Passchendaele within the 3rd Battle of Ypres 1917. Private Joseph Robert Armstrong Wharton met his death October 12th 1917 and an account of the days in the run up to it are as follows, October 10th,
Battalion Headquarters was located at the Butte J.11.a.7.8 and the next day it was shelled heavily all day: Lieutenant John Witherspoon of Shotley Bridge was killed and twenty-four men were wounded. The enemy artillery kept up its fire all through the night and into the next day. and under this shellfire Battalion Headquarters moved closer to the front line. During 12 October Second Lieutenant Cecil Hand from Sunderland, 19023 Private Joseph Wharton from Craghead, 31245 Private Joseph Thompson from Gateshead, 30248 Private Charles Allen a South Shields resident and 203055 Private Roger Watts who hailed from Trimdon Colliery were all killed and a further 15 men were wounded.
It goes on to describe Private Wharton as, 'an original Kitchener.'
Due to the circumstances of his death Private Joseph Robert Armstrong Wharton has no known grave and his sacrifice is recorded on panel 128-131 and also 162 and 162a at Tyne Cot Cemetery, Zonnebeke, near Ypres in Belgium.
He was awarded three medals the Victory Medal, the British War Medal and the 1915 Star.
In God's safe keeping Rest in Peace
Remembered with immense pride by his extended family and his niece Jean.
Joseph Robert Armstrong Wharton is remembered at Chilton on C107.04, C107.12 and C107.14 (Darlington D40.039)
He is also remembered in The DLI Book of Remembrance
