Pte. John Barton; photo: John Barton
Private John Barton c1906. Photo: John Barton
Photo: John Barton
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
John Barton was born at Sunniside, County Durham, in 1881, the 5th born of 8 sons - he also had an older and a younger sister.
His father, Ralph Barton Jnr., originated from Blackburn, Lancashire where he was born on May 28th and baptised at St Mary-the-Virgin July 12th 1846. He himself was the son of Ralph Snr, an over-looker of cotton power looms, and Martha Barton. Aged only 15 years of age, he and his elder brother James (16) and younger brother William (13) were living as boarders with the family of James Stephenson at the address of Old Barn, Hapton, Lancashire, employed as coal drawers. Ralph Jnr. eventually migrated to the north east, settling at Willington, County Durham, where he met Margaret Young, born 1847 at Philadelphia, County Durham. They were married at St. Stephen’s Church, Willington, on August 3rd 1867.
They settled for a while at Willington, Ralph supported his family employed as a coal miner and their eldest daughter, Mary Ann and sons Richard and James were born, before moving to Sunniside where sons William, Peter and John were born. Living with them in 1881 was their niece Mary Ann Young, they also had 2 boarders, Ralph’s brothers Peter (36) and William (33) both employed as miners. Between 1881 and 1889 they moved almost evert year, Ralph was born at Winlaton, Thomas at Rainton, George and Martha at Littleburn. By 1891 they had returned to the Wilmington area and were living with all their children at 35, New Row, Stockley, their sons, the eldest 17 the youngest 12 were employed at the colliery, John (10) and his younger siblings were scholars.
John Barton went on with his studies and eventually became a school master, living at Brafferton, Darlington. He was married in the district of Durham in 1905 to Elizabeth Jane Gott.
He enlisted during WW1 at Willington, exact date unknown, and served with the Royal (London Regiment) Fusiliers, firstly as Private 11216 and later transferred to the 8th Battalion ‘C’ Coy as Private 50879. His military record and medal card no longer exist, so it is therefore impossible to know his exact movements.
The 8th Battalion Royal Fusiliers departed for France, May 29th 1915 landing at Boulogne and concentrating near St. Omer. By June 6th they had established their HQ at Nieppe. They received training from the 48th (South Midland) Division before moving to Ploegsteert Wood to take over the front line June 23rd 1915. They saw action at the Battle of Loos from September 30th and at Hohenzollern Redoubt, then moved to Fouquieres-les-Bethune for a short rest before returning to the front line, and in November were in reserve at Lillers. In January 1916 they were trained in Open Warfare at Busnes and returned to the front line at Loos, February 12th 1916. On July 1st they were in reserve at Hencourt and Millencourt. They relieved the 8th Division at La Boisselle that night and attacked the following morning with mixed success. They attacked at Ouvillers on the 7th before being withdrawn to Contay July 9th. They were involved in the Battle of Pozieres on August 3rd 1916 where they successfully attacked and captured 4th Avenue Trench, and were engaged in heavy fighting until they were withdrawn to the Arras sector.
Private 50879 John Barton was killed in action on November 2nd 1916 in the Arras sector and interred at Dainville Communal Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France, grave A. 7. He was 35 years old. The cemetery contains only 39 graves, 38 from WW1 and 1 from WW2.
His wife, as sole beneficiary, received all monies due to him, a pension and his awards of the British War Medal, Victory Medal and 1914-15 Star had he served overseas before the end of 1915, all sent to her at 27, Belle Vue, Willington, County Durham.
Elizabeth Jane commissioned an additional inscription to be added to his military headstone at a cost of 3 shillings 2 pence, it reads, “Rest In Peace”.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
W. Bro. Revd. David T. Youngson, PPAG Chaplain, Northumberland has submitted the following:
The information given below in respect of some of the brethren is the best possible conclusions from Lodge records, Grand Lodge records & Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
2415 Tristram Lodge
Year of Warrant 1891
Freemasons Hall, Shildon
50870 Private BARTON John Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) 8th Battalion
The Son of Margaret and Ralph Barton of Willington, County Durham. He was born at Turnside, Durham. A School Master, residing at Brafferton, Darlington he was Initiated on the 12th July 1910; Passed 13th September 1910 and Raised on the 26th October 1910 resigning in July 1913. He enlisted at Willington and was killed in action on 2nd November 1916 aged 35 the husband of Elizabeth Jane Barton of 27 Belle Vue, Willington, County Durham he is buried in Dainville Communal Cemetery, France, Grave Reference A.7.
At the Installation Meeting in November 1916 it was reported that, “Bro. John Barton had been killed in action”.
Editor’s Note:
His name does not appear on the United Grand Lodge Roll of Honour.
John Barton, great-grandson of Pte. Barton, has submitted some photos and the following:
I have had a life long interest in the Great War primarily because of me being given a sepia photograph of my great grandfather as a child. Both my father and I were called John to maintain the connection with John.
The family story is that John emigrated to Canada in 1913 but on the outbreak of the war returned to Britain to enlist in the British Army. He enlisted at Willington and found himself in a southern regiment – the 8th Royal Fusiliers. He landed in France on 2 October 1916 and was killed on 2 November 1916. He was said to be posting a letter at a time when a German air raid took place over Arras and he was killed during the raid. There may be an element of truth in this because there were air raids on Arras during this period.
I attach a copy of the sepia photo and the photo of his grave in Dainville Communal Cemetery which as you know is on the outskirts of Arras.
I have learnt a lot more about my ancestry after reading your web page. No wonder my dad was a Sunderland supporter – his Dad and grandad were from Durham!
Kind regards and keep up the good work!
Private John Barton is remembered at Willington on W120.02 , W120.03, W120.05 and W120.09 at Durham on D47.052 and D47.141 and at Coatham Mundeville on C128.01
