On the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, France, is the name of 19112 Private George Mark Barton serving with the 13th Battalion Durham Light Infantry who died 05/08/1916.
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
George Mark Barton, one of 16 children, the youngest of the 5 surviving, 2 sons and 3 daughters, was born May 23rd 1896 at Walker, a suburb of Newcastle upon Tyne. His father, coal miner George Barton was born at West Moor, Northumberland in 1855 and married in the district of Gateshead in 1872, Mary Ann Smith, born 1858 at Dewlew, Matfen, near Newcastle upon Tyne. They first lived at 29, Walker Road, Longbenton, moving after the birth of George, to 16, Simpson Street, Heworth, gateshead, historically in County Durham.
George’s mother died aged 43 years in 1901 when he was only 4 years old. At 14 years of age he worked as a trapper at the colliery, his father George as a stone-man. His sister Margaret (24) was employed at the Co-operative society in the druggist department, Isabella (18) kept house and looked after her niece Margaret aged 8 who lived with them, brother Robert (32) was married.
On August 4th 1914 Britain declared a state of war existed with Germany. George Mark Barton left his employment as a labourer to enlist at Felling, September 8th 1914, aged 17. He lied about his age declaring he was 19 years 3 months and was assigned as Private 19112 to the Durham Light Infantry joining the regiment at their depot at Newcastle upon Tyne that same day and transferred to the 13th Battalion attached to the 68rd Brigade, 23rd Division. They moved to Aldershot in November and on to Willesborough, Kent in March 1915 and by May they were at Bramshott.
As part of the British Expeditionary Force the Division landed at Boulogne, August 26th 1915 concentrating near Tilques. September 5th, they were attached to the III Corp and moved to Merris-Vieux for trench familiarisation from the 20th and 27th Division, taking over the front-line sector between Ferme Grande Flamergrie to the Armentieres-Wez Macquart road in their own right by the 14th.
During the Battle of Loos, they were in action holding the front at Bois Grenier, they were relieved from that sector at the end of January 1916 and Divisional HQ was established at Blaringhem with the units concentrated around Bruay for a period of rest. March 3rd, they returned to the front line, taking over a sector between the Boyau de l’Ersatz and the Souchez River from the French 17th Division. In early March a Tunnelling Company was established and men with a background in mining were transferred from the ranks to the Royal Engineers.
In mid-April, they returned to Bruay area for rest during which Private Barton was taken by the 70th Field Ambulance to hospital, April 8th 1916, with laryngitis and did not return to duty until April 17th. Mid-May the battalion again took over the front line, just before the German attack on Vimy Ridge on April 21st 1916.
On June 11th 1916 the 23rd Division Infantry moved to Bomy and the artillery to Chamblain Chatelain and Therouanne to begin intensive training for the Battles of the Somme. July 3rd 1916 they were in action during the Battle of Albert which included the capture of Contalmaison, followed by the Battles of Bazentin Ridge and the Battle of Delville Wood which raged from July 15th-3rd September 1916.
Private 19112 George Mark Barton was killed in action August 5th 1916. His sacrifice is recorded as one of over 72,000 names inscribed on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, Thiepval, France, pier & face 14A/15B, commemorating servicemen from Great Britain and South Africa who died on the Somme 1915-1918 and who have no known grave. He was 20 years old and single.
His father George Barton received all monies due to him and his awards of the 1914/15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal sent to him at 18, Simpson Street, Heworth, County Durham.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
His death was announced in Heslop’s Local Advertiser 22/09/1916:
Private George Barton, D.L.I., killed in action on August 5th, aged 26 years. Son of George and the late M.A. Barton, 18 Simpson Street, Felling.
George Mark Barton is remembered at Heworth on H92.03 and in the D.L.I. Book of Remembrance page 204.
