Corporal 25988 JOHN WALTER WALTON b. May 1887?

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I am new to this forum, having only just found my Grandfathers Attestation Certificate on line. I know nothing of my G/fathers early life, where he was born etc, so getting this certificate was really helpful, but there are some questions that I need answering.

My G/father is recorded on the National Roll of the Great War, Birmingham Section. As Corporal John Walter Walton, Worcestershire Regt, in which it states, he re-enlisted in 1914 and proceeded to France, fought at Mons and other early battles(named) and was badly wounded on the Somme. He was discharged as unfit in July 1918 and died in August 1918 from, on his death certificate, it states natural causes, not wounds. ( No widows war pension to be paid)

On the attestation certificate, it states that he attested on 11/11/1915 in Suffolk Street, Birmingham, into the 13th Battalion, Worcs Regt. It gives his previous service in the 6th Reg, Worcester Regt as 7055, leaving in November 1911.

Therefore is the record in the National Roll of the Great War correct , could he have fought as a re-enlisting soldier in 1914, or would he have to have been attested first?

I would be most grateful for any answers to the above question, also for any information about Corporal Walton that may be held in your archive and records, especially if it gives his place of birth and next of kin.

I look forward to reading your knowledgeable replies.

[scully]

Hi,

The only possible match I could find is a John Walter Walton born in Preston in 1897. He would have been age 21 when he died in August 1918.
The 1901 Census shows him living with his parents at 81 Miller Road, Ribbleton, Preston. Details of the 1901 Census below:
RG13/3946 folio 131 page 40
James Walton - head - age 37 - Insurance Agent - born at Lancashire, Ribchester.
Cecily T. Walton - wife - age 35 - born Wiltshire, Fouhead St. Mary.
Flora Walton - daughter - age 6 - born Lancashire, Preston.
John W. Walton - son - age 3 - born Lancashire, Preston.
James A. Walton - son - age 7 months - born Lancashire, Preston.

Hope this helps.

[smiler]

Thanks for the reply Scully, due to the age difference I am sure that this J W Walton is not the same person as my Grandfather, who I am fairly sure would have been 10 years older in 1918.

The main reason for my interest, is that although I have his marriage and death certificate, I cannot find out where he was born! although I am pretty sure it must have been in Birmingham, but all my attempts to trace a birth certificate or place him in a family in the census's have failed.

As the only information I have on the subject is the Attestation Certificate and details from the National Roll of the Great War, I will have to accept that it is correct and keep trying to track him down.

The search continues.

[LarsA]

I checked the National Archives website, and there is a Walter John Walton with that number who is shown as Colonel - probably an error as officers don't have numbers in wwI.

Could it be the same man? If so, the MIC might give a lead as to entry in France.

Lars


ERROR://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/docu ... ultcount=1

[smiler]

Yes, I saw that entry and paid to get a copy it is actually a miss spelt word and should be COR. as in Corporal, but has been transcribed as COL. as Colonel. The service number was the same as his.

It got me on the edge of my seat I can tell you!! but it was not to be, it is my grandfather, names reversed. But not a Colonel.

On the form it shows his date of enlistment as 11/11/15, discharge 14/7/16.
Cause given as Para 392 XV1 KR= Sickness, no longer physically fit for war service. It states Action taken List L/142.

So the military records state he was discharged for sickness, however the National Roll of the Great War states 'badly wounded in the battle of the Somme' I can only suspect that sickness was a result of his injuries.

My mother said that the family were always bitter that as he was discharged with sickness, his widow was not entilted to a pension on his death. I suppose that this was another money saving Government idea.

My grandfather is still a bit of a mystery!!!!

[Mike Jones]

Hello Mr/Mrs Smiler,
I would be typing all night to clear this up and I have my own research to do. However most of the entry in the National Roll for the Great War, concerning your G/Father is incorrect. When he joined the first time, if he joined as a regular it was in 1902 but I think he joined in 1908 as Special Reserve. The main reason I came on is about the entry "List L/142" on his Medal Index Card. This is reference to the Silver War Badge he was issued with. The paperwork that goes with this will Definitely have his age on. The details are available for a £5 charge (Which they have to make. I think it should be £10) from the Worcester Regimental Archives at Norton Barracks. There is a link to them from the home page of this Website.
Mike Jones

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Its mister actually, Mike, thanks for this information, I am sending my application form to the Worcs Regt Archives right now.

Obviously I had no idea about my Grandfather's previous military service, only that at the start of the Great war he re-enlisted!! Until I got his Attestation form I did not realise that he had previously served in the Worcestershire Regt, or that he had a Silver War badge.

So thanks for your time in looking him up for me.