Medal Index Card

David came from a large family, his parents had 13 children but sadly two infants did not survive. His siblings were; Dora (born 1892), Evelyn (born 1893), Victoria (born 1895), Louisa May (born 1896), Isabel (born 1901 and died 1901), Robert (born 1902), John Ridley (born 1904), Mary Annie (born 1906), William (born 1907), Gladys (born 1908), Fred (born 1910 died 1910) and finally Audrey (born 1913).

In the 1901 Census return the family are living at Hutton Henry, father Robert is working as a cartman and wood waggoner and his status as employer indicates he had people working for him in his business.

In the 1911 Census return the family are living in what is described as a 'four rooms house' known as 'The Farm', Hutton Henry, Castle Eden. Father Robert is now a farmer and contractor.

David enlisted on the 10th December 1915 into the 1st Battalion Northamptonshire Regiment, with service number 40627. As his number is close to that of Private Henry Hutchinson (40676) of the same Regiment and Battalion, it is assumed they enlisted around the same time. David would have been eighteen years and six months old.

The two men would have seen service together and fought in the same battles, and both were awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal for their services in the Great War. Neither soldier was entitled to either the 1914 or 1914-15 Star as they did not serve in a theatre of war before 1916, as they would have undergone training prior to embarking for France.

David was wounded twice, the second time in September 1918 and this was reported in the local newspaper:

Hartlepool Northern Daily Mail 02/10/1918.

Mr. R. Appleton, the Farm, Hutton Henry, has received information that his eldest son, Pte. D. Appleton, Northamptonshire Regt., was wounded in both legs and in the back on September 19, and is in hospital in Suffolk. This is the second time Pte. Appleton has been wounded.

These injuries resulted in the issue of a silver war badge.The Silver War Badge was issued to those who had been honourably discharged due to illness or injury received from military service. The recipients, who were considered permanently physically unfit for war service, wore the badge to signify they had served and this discouraged acts of harassment and accusations of cowardice. The badge was intended to be worn on civilian clothing.

There are no casualties recorded for 19th September 1918 in the War Diary for the 1st Battalion Northamptonshire Regiment, it simply reports ‘Battalion disposed in depth behind the 2nd R. Sussex, in support.’ However the previous day the Battalion were fighting in the Battle of Epehy, an attack against German outposts positions in front of the Hindenburg Line and the casualties recorded for that day included; 3 killed in action, 22 O/R’s (ordinary ranks) gassed and 28 O/R’s wounded.

David was discharged due to wounds on the 25th October 1919, and the date of issue of his Silver War Badge is given as 29th November 1919 (Badge No. B338236).

This information is given on his medal card, as SWB List K/1963/1.

David married Mary Ann Hutchinson in Hartlepool in 1926. They can be found in the 1939 Register at Pudding Poke Farm, Elwick, Hartlepool.

David Appleton died on the 26th July 1977.

Research: Jean Atkinson/James Pasby