In St. Erme Communal Cemetery Extension, France is the Commonwealth War Grave of 13466 Corporal Charles Walton, serving with the 1/5th Battalion, Alexandra Princess of Wales’ Own (Yorkshire Regiment) who died 24/07/1918.

Dorothy Hall has submitted the following information:-

Charles Walton was born in West Boldon on June 17th 1896, the eldest son of George (born Ryhope) and Martha (born Offerton) Walton.

In 1911 the family were living at 34 Chilton Street Southwick, George was a miner (stone man) and Charles was a miner (driver) aged 14. The other children Andrew Stanley, George W., (born West Boldon) James, Caroline, John, Margaret, (born Fulwell) and Alexander (born Southwick) were either at school or at home. 34 Chilton Street had three rooms and as well as husband wife and eight children there was also a boarder William Bissett (probably Martha’s brother) who was also a stone man.

Charles enlisted at Sunderland in the Alexandra Princess of Wales’ Own (Yorkshire Regiment) known now as The Green Howards. He went to France on 9th September 1915.

Charles was promoted to Corporal and died 24/7/1918 when he was killed by a bomb from an aeroplane behind German lines.

His mother Martha was his sole legatee and would have received his medals, scroll and plaque.

Charles Walton is remembered at Southwick on S130.15, S130.10, S130.16, S130.13 and S130.22 and at Sunderland in S140.048 Part 4 page 73.