James Richard Norton Jnr, one of 8 surviving children, (3 deceased), was the 2nd eldest of 4 brothers and had 4 younger sisters. His parents James Richard Norton and Sarah Bellas, were both born at Sunderland, County Durham, in 1866 and 1867 respectively, and married in 1879. Their son William Arthur was born in 1881 while they were living at 44, Bramwell Street, Sunderland, James Richard supported his family employed as a grocer. James Richard Jnr was born in 1882, George William, May 21st 1885, daughters Alice and Florence 1889 and 1891 respectively, they had now moved to 3, Hutchinson Terrace, however James Richard’s occupation was unchanged. After the birth of Raymond in 1892 they had a further 2 daughters, Margaret in 1896 and Hilda 1898. Still living in the same house, in 1901, their older children were also employed, William A. (20) is listed as a railway servant/cleaner, James R. Jnr (18) a shoe maker, George W. (15) was an apprentice butcher.

James Richard Jnr was married in 1902, district of Sunderland to local girl Ellen Houston born April 3rd 1882 and with whom, by 1911, he had 4 children, William 1902, Richard Bellas 1904, Elsie 1907 and Alice Florence in 1911 whilst they were living in 2 rooms at 2, Hutchinson Terrace. James Richard supported his family as a cobbler, repairing shoes and boots.

He enlisted at Sunderland, September 1st 1914, however he was not mobilised until December 3rd 1915 when he was firstly assigned to the 4th Battalion Durham Light Infantry as Private 33873 joining his regiment at Wallsend as part of the Tyne Defences which then moved to Killingworth, Forest Hall and Seaham Harbour where it remained for the rest of the conflict but also provided men for the draft. Private Norton departed with the British Expeditionary Force September 27th 1916. Unfortunately, it is not known to which Battalion he was allocated, however, he rose to the rank of Lance Corporal and served on the Western Front until his discharge, July 15th 1919, to the Army Reserve Class Z, free to return to his home and employment under the obligation to return to the colours should hostilities with Germany resume. Class Z was abolished March 31st 1920 after the signing of the Treaty of Versailles, June 28th 1919, which officially brought WW1 to an end. Awarded a pension due to ill health attributed to his military service and the British War Medal and Victory Medal.

Although all of Raymond’s brother were eligible for military service only the details of Raymond Norton have been found who served with the Durham Light Infantry and was accidentally killed in 1918 at Ypres, Belgium.

James Richard returned to his occupation of shoemaker, in 1939 he and his wife were living at 4, Ward Street, Sunderland.

James Richard Norton and his wife Ellen Norton nee Houston died within months of each other in 1962, registered in the district of Sunderland, County Durham.

In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.