William Barton
Medal Card
Derek Johnstone has provided the following:
William Barton was born at Low Moorsley, Durham about 1895 to parents William Barton from Wigan, Lancashire and Isabella Barton also from Low Moorsley.
In the 1901 Census William is shown to be aged 6 and living with parents at 50, Coal Bank, Hetton-le-Hole in County Durham.
The 1911 Census records William aged 16 and living at 8, Miller Terrace, New Silksworth in the house of his parents. William at this time was working in the coal mines as a pony driver. In the house were siblings John Robert, 19, Annie, 17, Adam, 13, Thomas, 11, Robert, 9, Joseph, 7, Isabella, 5, Mary, 2 and Maud aged 1.
Military records show William enlisted at Sunderland and confirms he was born at Moorsley, County Durham. His Pension Index Card shows only his mother, Isabella Barton, indicating William was not married. It appears William’s brothers Adam and Jack (John Robert) joined the Great War in addition to his father who would have been 49 in 1915. All the family served in the Northumberland Fusiliers (Tyneside Scottish) and their photos are published in the Illustrated Chronicle in 1915.
Note
The list of the Northumberland Fusiliers (Tyneside Irish) 24th Battalion shown in the NEWMP site identifies Barton, W. with the Service Number 24/109, Northumberland Fusiliers (Tyneside Irish) having died 4th October 1917. Detailed searches have shown that this entry is probably incorrect or possible he did not die. The completed entry shown above appears to be valid and reflects all relevant available information.
William Barton is remembered in Silksworth on S111.01 and S111.02 and in Sunderland on S140.048 part 3 page 52 and S140.048 part 11 page 255.
Is he the "Barton, W." named in Bensham on B86.02?
