De Ruvigny Roll of Honour Vol page 266

British India liner HMT Neuralia

Reuben Walter Natton was born on the 17th March 1889, at Thornaby-on-Tees, he was the third son of James Natton, of Stockton-on-Tees, Shipyard Labourer, and his wife, Margaret Elizabeth, daughter of James Jeffries, of Stockton-on-Tees.

Reuben was educated at the New Board School at Stockton-on-Tees. He married at the Haswell Parish Church on the 27th July 1907, Rosina, (14 John Street, Southwick-on-Wear), daughter of Thomas Brown, of Easington, they had four children. Reuben Walter born 18th October 1910, Robert William born 19th September 1914, Rosina born 3rd May 1909 and Margaret born 29th February 1912.

He enlisted in the Coldstream Guards in August 1905, but was bought out the following October. In June 1906, he enlisted in the Royal Army Medical Corps. After serving three years he passed into the Reserve and started employment at Doxford's yard in Sunderland.

He resided at 14, John Street, Southwick-on-Wear, Sunderland.

Prior to this, he also resided at Mount Pleasant South Hetton in 1911, and in 1901, he was residing at 20 Queen Street, Thornaby-on Tees.

On the 5th of August 1914, he was called up, and was sent to France with the First Expeditionary Force, attached to the 1st Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment, was wounded in November at Ypres.

He was invalided home to Wandsworth Hospital where he was found to be unfit for further action, he was placed on the Hospital Ship Neuralia to serve. On the voyage to Bombay he contracted fever and was landed at Alexandria where he died (6th Company) at the No 15 General Hospital, 2nd June 1915. Reuben was buried in the Chathy Military Cemetery there.

De Ruvigny Roll of Honour

He is not remembered on a North East War Memorial but is remembered at the R.A.M.C. Roll of Honour

The Royal Army Medical Corp entry
British Pathe Film of the liner Neuralia
British India liner Neuralia
The CWGC entry for Private Natton