Private 9429 John Charles Norton

Died of Wounds Home on Monday, 6th November 1916, age 19.
Buried in Grave A. Ded. 136. at Tipton Cemetery, Staffordshire, United Kingdom.

1st Bn., South Staffordshire Regiment. 91st Brigade of 7th Division.

Son of Mr Joseph Norton and the late Mrs Mary Jane Norton, of 55 Toll End Road, Tipton, Staffs.
Born: Tipton, Enlisted: Wednesbury, Resident: Tipton.

First landed France & Flanders, 24th March 1915.
Medal entitlement: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Soldier's Papers at National Archives did not survive.

Commemorated on the St. Mark's Memorial.
Commemorated here because he appears on a Tipton memorial.

Link to Commonwealth War Graves Site: www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/395353/

Genealogical Data

Birth of John Charles Norton registered June quarter 1897 in Dudley.

1901 Census
142 Toll End Road, Tipton, Staffs.
Joseph Norton (37, Socket Maker at Steel Tube Works, born Wednesbury), his wife Mary J. (37, born Coseley), and their 5 children: Edith (12, born Wednesbury), Gladys (10, born Wednesbury), Joseph R. (8, born Wednesbury), John (3, born Tipton) and Samuel (2, born Tipton).

Mary Jane Norton died in June quarter 1903, and Joseph remarried in March quarter 1904 to Elizabeth Bradley.

1911 Census
224 Toll End Road, Tipton, Staffs.
Joseph Norton (48, Socket Maker at Steel Tube Works, born Wednesbury), his wife Elizabeth (53, born Wednesbury), and 2 of John’s 5 children: John (14, School, born Wednesbury) and Samuel (12, born Toll End).

Personal Data

After John’s death his outstanding army pay and allowances amounted to £12/4/8d (12 pounds, 4 shillings and 8 pence). This was distributed in July 1917; his sister Edith received £8/11/7d and his father, Joseph, received the balance of £3/13/1d. His War Gratuity was £10/0/0d (10 pounds exactly), this was distributed in November 1919 with £5/0/0d paid to his sister Edith, and £5/0/0d to his father. The value of the War Gratuity suggests that John had enlisted in approximately August 1914.

No Dependant’s Pension was awarded in respect of John as no-one was considered to be dependant upon him.

Action resulting in his death

It is possible that John Norton was serving as a ‘Special Reservist’ with the South Staffs at the outbreak of war. His Army Number was 9429, John Paskin of Tipton (killed October 1914) had the adjacent Army Number 9431 and he had enlisted as a Special Reservist with the South Staffs on 26th July 1913. Men joining the ‘Special Reserve’ in pre-war days would have 6 months continuous training then returned to civilian life with an obligation of 28 days continuous training each year. On the outbreak of war, he would be called to the Colours but it was March 1915 when he first landed in France, he was then probably not quite 18 years old.

During John’s service with the 1st South Staffs, they saw action in the major battles of 1915 and 1916. In 1915 at the Battles of: Aubers Ridge (May), Festubert (May), and Loos (September). In 1916 they were heavily involved at the Battle of the Somme: Mametz (July), Bazentin Ridge (July), High Wood (July), Delville Wood (July-September 1916) and Guillemont (September). Between the time of John’s arrival in France (24th March 1915) and the date of his death (6th November 1916), 498 Other Ranks and 20 Officers of the 1st South Staffs lost their lives.

At some stage John was wounded serving with the 1st South Staffs, no records exist to give a precise date. It may well have been during the Somme campaign of 1916 as the 1st South Staffs were involved here from 1st July until September. In mid-September they moved to the Armentieres sector on the French-Belgian border.

After medical treatment in the casualty evacuation system in France, John was brought back to England but died from his wounds on 6th November 1916. He died in Bridgnorth Infirmary, and his death was registered in Bridgnorth in December quarter 1916. His Death Certificate says that his death was due to: 1) Gun Shot Wounds to the right shoulder 2) Tetanus 3) Hyperpyrexia - this is very high temperature which can result from tetanus. The tetanus entry also records "2 months 7 days" which suggests that John was wounded around the end of August 1916 when the 1st South Staffs suffered heavy casualties in Delville Wood.

John’s body was brought home from Bridgnorth and he was buried in Tipton Cemetery.

Newspaper Cuttings

Tipton Herald 14th October 1914
OCKER HILL PATRIOTS JOIN UP.
This included John Norton.

Birmingham Daily Post 2nd October 1916
ANOTHER LIST.
WOUNDED.
The following casualties amongst warrant officers, non-commissioned officers, and men are reported under various dates:
South Staffordshire Regiment- Norton, 9429, J., (Tipton).

Birmingham Daily Gazette 9th January 1917
CASUALTY LISTS.
MIDLANDS NAMES IN THE ROLL OF HONOUR.
Previously reported missing, now reported killed.
S. STAFFORDS. - Norton, 9429, J., (Tipton).