Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
John Elliott Charlton was born 1884 at Felling, Gateshead, County Durham, one of 9 children of whom only 7 survived, 3 sons and 4 daughters. His father John Charlton native of Bedlington, Northumberland born 1864, married at Gateshead in 1883, Mary Elizabeth Elliott born 1867 at Flimley, Cumberland. John was a miner, in 1891 he and his family were living at Hylton Street, Gateshead and for a time at Hutton Henry moving to 22, Wynyard Street, Dawdon near Seaham by 1911. His father and elder brother John Jnr (20) worked as coal hewers, James (17) as a pony driver under ground at the colliery.
On the outbreak of war James Elliott Charlton was living at Wardley Colliery, he enlisted at Gateshead and was assigned as Private 1704 to the 9th Battalion Durham Light Infantry later transferring as Private 325099 to the 1st/9th Battalion. The main body of men left Newcastle railway station for France April 19th 1915. Within days, they were fighting in the Second Battle of Ypres, suffering casualties from shelling and gas attacks on the Frezenberg and Bellewaarde ridges. Private Charlton joined the regiment in the field as part of the 151st Brigade of 50th (Northumbrian) Division in 1916. The 1st/9th served until August 1916 in the trenches of the Ypres Salient and Armentieres, then moved south to join the Somme fighting. In September and October, the 1/9 DLI attacked towards the Starfish Line, north of High Wood, and the Flers Line at Eaucort l’Abbaye. Finally on the Somme they participated in the attack on the Butte de Warlencourt, November 5th 1916. The Butte was captured by the 1st/9th Battalion but unable to hold it they fell back. This battle cost the battalion 300 men killed or wounded.
In April 1917, they fought at Arras and in September, carried out a major trench raid at Cherisy. After another winter spent in the mud-filled trenches of the Ypres Salient in January 1918 they reverted to a Pioneer battalion to dig and repair trenches and dugouts, move supplies and other jobs for the 62nd (West Riding) Division but were expected to fight as infantrymen if needed.
On 21 March 1918, the German Army attacked on the Somme and the new Pioneers were needed as infantrymen. In July, the 62nd Division was sent south to join the French Army on the Marne and, once again, the 1st/9th Battalion was called on to fight.
Private 325099 James Elliott Charlton Durham Light Infantry was killed in action, on the Marne, July 19th 1918 and interred at St. Imoges Churchyard, Marne, France. He was 34 years old and single. The burials were undertaken by the 51st (Highland) and 62nd (West Riding) Divisions.
His mother as sole legitimate beneficiary received all monies due to him and his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal sent to her at 5, The Square, Wardley. She also commissioned, at a cost of 5 shillings 10 pence, an additional inscription to be added to his military headstone, it reads, “Not Lost But Gone Before”.
John Charlton died aged 63 years in 1926 at Newcastle-upon-Tyne details of Mary Elizabeth Charlton nee Elliott unknown.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
John Elliott Charlton is remembered at Heworth on H92.03
