Photo : Brian Chandler
Newcastle Journal Saturday 3rd November 1917
In Hexham (St. Andrew's) Cemetery is a family headstone which reads:
In loving memory
of
Elizabeth Alice
Beloved daughter of
John & Emily Charlton
of Tyne Green Nurseries
who died December 8th 1918
aged 22 years.
Also their son John Edward
killed in FranceOctober 11th 1917 aged 29 years.
Also the above
John Charlton
who died May 24th 1936
aged 79 years.
Also Emily Charlton, his wife
died 11th April 1958
aged 87 years.
John Edward Charlton was born on the 28th July 1888, at Farnley Grove West, [Bridge End], Corbridge-on-Tyne, the only son of John Charlton, of Tyne Green Nurseries, [as a gardner], Hexham, and his wife Elizabeth Ann, daughter [Lunatic] of Edward Herman of Swinburn. There were two sisters as well.
John Edward Charlton was educated at Hexham. He was employed as a Gardner Labourer at Headley North Farm at Stocksfield in 1911. He then worked at the Scottish Zoological Gardens at Murrayfield Edinburgh, as a gardener.
He enlisted on the 26th February 1916, at Hexham recruiting offices. Then was posted to the 3rd R.G.A Depot on the 20th July 1916. John undertook a signalling and telephony course in which he received a 'very good' result on the 18th December 1916. In October he then was posted to the 10th R.G.A. Depot, and joined the 313rd Siege Battery. 'A' Battery. John then embarked from Southampton on the 12th May 1917 and disembarked at Le Havre the following Day. Was posted to the 326th Siege Battery on the 9th March 1917.
John died at the 12th Australian Field Ambulance on the 11th October 1917 from wounds received at Ypres.
An officer wrote:- He was always cheery, and was ready and willing to do his work. As Signals Officer in the battery I came in contact with him often, and had a very high regard for him.
De Ruvigny Roll of Honour
John Edward Charlton is remembered at Hexham on H51.06, H51.26 and H51.30
