Thiepval Memorial
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
George Burnhope Walton, one of 11 known children, was the 3rd born of 6 sons and 5 daughters. His parents Thomas Walton of Wolsingham and Frances Mason native of South Moor, both in County Durham, were born in 1853 and married November 5th 1874 at Wolsingham. They initially settled at Tow Law, County Durham where their daughters Catherine known as Kate, Jane and sons William and Robert were born in 1875,1876, August 27th 1877 and 1881 respectively. Two years later they had moved to Whitfield’s Buildings, Longbenton, Northumberland, where Thomas was employed as a stone mason. It was here that his wife gave birth to the remainder of their children, George Burnhope February 28th 1883, Thomas Arthur 1886, Christopher P. 1889, Hannah 1890, Frances H. 1891, Caroline Elizabeth know as Lizzie 1892 and Luke Seymour Walton April 28th 1894. Between 1895 and 1901 they transferred to 24, Byron Terrace, Elswick a suburb of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Thomas was now employed as a bricklayer as were Thomas Arthur and Robert. In search of work they returned to County Durham settling in the district of Lanchester where Thomas Walton died in 1908 aged only 55 years.
Frances remarried in 1910 to Robert Faulding native of Lanchester, born 1853. Robert, a colliery labourer, had married Sarah Ann Carrick of West Butsfield, County Durham with whom he had 3 daughters, Esther born 1891, Isabella 1892 and Annie 1898, he had been a widower since 1901. In 1911 they were living at Cornsay, address unspecified, Christopher Walton was employed at the brick works as a labourer, George Burnhope and Luke Seymour Walton underground at the colliery as drivers, coal miner/hewer, 28-year-old David Birtley was their lodger.
George Burnhope Walton enlisted, October 27th 1915 at Durham, assigned as Private 4278 to the 8th Battalion Durham Light Infantry Territorial Force and was posted to the coastal defences at Roker and Whitburn. Over the next 9 months the part time recruits were also trained for service overseas at Boldon, Ravensworth and Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Once mobilised with a change of service number Private 45715 G. B. Walton departed to France with his battalion as part of the British Expeditionary Force, June 18th 1916. He joined 1/8th Battalion D.L.I. attached to the 151st Brigade, 50th Northumbrian Division, in the front line trenches at Armentieres and Kemmel on the Ypres salient in Belgium, where they stayed until August 1916. Both were considered, “quiet” areas, however, they rarely enjoyed a day free of casualties by shell and sniper fire.
September 10th 1916 he was transferred to the 15th (Service) Battalion Durham Light Infantry, 68th Brigade, 23rd Division, having been moved south to the battlefields of the Somme. The battalion participated at the Battle of Flers-Courcelette, September 15th-22nd 1916. Private 45715 George Burnhope Walton was reported as having been missing as of September 16th, on the 21st and his next of kin, sister, Mrs Catherine Bingham of 8, Robert Street, Crofton, Blyth, was informed. After extensive investigations as to his whereabouts he was struck off December 2nd 1916 and declared as having died on or since September 16th 1916.
His sacrifice is recorded as one of the 72,336 names inscribed on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, Thiepval, France, commemorating servicemen from Britain and South Africa who died on the Somme before March 20th 1918.
He was 33 years of age and single. Recipient of the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Monies owed to him by the Army were divided between his stepfather and surviving siblings. Robert Faulding received the sum of 3 shillings 6 pence as did his brothers Robert and Christopher, sisters Catherine Bingham, Caroline E. Burnett, and Frances H McMurdo, 3 shillings 5 pence each, received April 15th 1918. Brothers Thomas and William, 3 shillings 5 pence each, May 18th 1918 and January 14th 1919 respectively. At the request of his brother William his medals were not distributed until his return from the front.
All the Walton brothers were of eligible age to serve during WW1, however not all details are available as 70% of records were destroyed during the blitz of WW2. William Walton served as Driver 043202 his brother Thomas Arthur as Driver T4/043466 Army Service Corps, Luke Seymour Waltonas Private 2036 Durham Light Infantry, all 3 survived the conflict. Details as regards Robert and Christopher P. Walton unknown.
Frances Faulding-Walton nee Mason died aged 64 years, June 9th 1917 at 22, Cornsay Cottages, Cornsay Colliery of dyspepsia and myocarditis, her husband Robert was present at the time of her death.
Robert Faulding died in the district of Lanchester in 1921 aged 67 years.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
George Burnhope Walton is remembered at Cornsay on C116.01 and at Satley on S116.01
He is also remembered in The DLI Book of Remembrance page 249
