NER Railway Magazine 1918
Newcastle Journal Monday 01/04/1918
John William Thornton was born at Hartlepool, Durham on the 31st October 1897, the eldest son of six children of Captain? Herbert Thornton, of 22 Lister Street, West Hartlepool, and his wife Ann Elizabeth, [born 1869, Scarborough]. The father was a Mooring man for the North Eastern Railway Company at the Docks.
In 1901 the family were residing at 14 Olive Street, Hartlepool, Durham.
John was educated at the Galleys Field School in Hartlepool. He was also in the 1st Hartlepool Boys Brigade Company which use to meet in the High Street. He was employed by the North Eastern Railway Company as a clerk at West Hartlepool in the Company's Carriage and Waggon Department.
By 1911, they had all moved to 19 Olive Street, Hartlepool, except the eldest daughter Edith, who no longer lived with the family.
He originally enlisted into the 21st (Service), Battalion Durham Light Infantry as a private on the 1st February 1916. Then was offered a commission in April but he declined. He was transferred to the 9th Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment 28th June 1916.
He took part in the Battle of the Somme from the 1st of July through to the 25th September 1916. He was appointed Quartermaster-Sergeant to the 2nd Army Musketry School, being recommended for a commission. He returned to England in March 1917, and was gazetted a 2nd Lieutenant in the 4th Battalion The York and Lancaster Regiment on the 26th September.
Returned to France in December 1917, where he died in No 6 Stationery Hospital, of Shell wounds received in action at Roclincourt near Arras, on the 27th March 1918.
He was buried in St Hillaire Cemetery, Frevent.
Lieutenant Warr wrote: We were all so grieved at your son's death, as he was a splendid soldier, and liked by everybody. Your son was a fine character, and we feel his loss dreadfully. Captain B. F. Hinds:"Your son was held in high esteem by all officers, men, and myself, both as a friend, and also as an officer.
He was unmarried.
De Ruvigny Roll of Honour
He is remembered in Hartlepool on H115.46 in H115.30 page 44, also in West Hartlepool on W111.54 and at York on the Railway Memorial and in the list of Hartlepool Casualties
