Add New Content


Please log in or register to add new content.

Login

Report Inaccuracies


Robert Barton (1894-1917)


East Howle man served in 1st/5th DLI in France and is honoured on the Arras Memorial


Robert Barton was born in East Howle in 1894. He came from a line of coal miners on both sides of his family. His father was James Barton (1859-1934), a deputy, who was born in Wigan, Lancashire. His mother was Jane Ann Richardson (1860-1934), from Ferryhill. His parents married in 1879. The 1911 census records they had ten children, nine of whom were surviving. This gave Robert five brothers and three sisters. He was the third youngest child in the family.

In 1901 the family were living in 7 Mainsorth Row, Chilton. Ten years later, at the time of the 1911, census they were living at 4 Church Street, Ferryhill Station. Robert was working as a coal miner at the time of the 1911 census.

Robert is estimated to have joined up in October 1915. He joined the 1st/5th battalion of the Durham Light Infantry (DLI). He served with the number 200530 and rose to the rank of acting corporal. In late April 1917 Robert and his battalion were involved in the Second Battle of the Scarpe near Arras in France. On 23 April 1917, on the opening day of that action, he was killed in action. A total of three officers and 56 men of his battalion were also lost that day.

Robert’s body was not identified for burial in a named grave. He is honoured on the Arras Memorial, Arras, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France (bay 8). He is also honoured in the Book of Remembrance 1914-18, Durham Light Infantry, Durham Cathedral. In his home town he is remembered on the Cottage and Plaque 1914-18, Ferryhill Station.

Robert Barton was awarded the Victory Medal and the British War Medal for his service in World War One.

Civil Parish: Chilton

Birth date: 1894

Death date: 23-Apr-1917

Armed force/civilian: Army

Residence: 7 Mainsforth Row, Chilton (1901census)
4 Church Street, Ferryhill Station (1911 census)

Family: Parents: James Barton (1859-1935), Jane Ann Barton nee Richardson (1860-1934)
Siblings: William Barton (1880), Elizabeth A Barton (1883), Rachel Barton (1885), John G Barton (1887), James Barton (1890), Mark Barton (1892), Ethel Barton (1897), Joseph Barton (1900)

Military service:

200530
Acting Corporal
1st/5th Durham Light Infantry

Medal(s): British War Medal
Victory Medal

Memorial(s): Arras Memorial, Arras, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France (Bay 8)
Book of Remembrance 1914-18, DLI, Durham Cathedral
Cottage and Plaque 1914-18, Ferryhill Station

Gender: Male

Contributed by David D, Stanley, Co Durham