Name
Harry John Melton (*1)
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
30/04/1918
31
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Rifleman/Private
572893
London Regiment *1
2/17th (County of London) Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
JERUSALEM WAR CEMETERY
Row N, Grave 58.
Israel and Palestine (including Gaza)
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Watford Borough Roll of Honour, St James' Church Memorial, Watford Fields
Pre War
Son of George Albert and Eliza (nee LANGSTON) MILTON.
His parents married 6 September 1879 at St James’, Bushey, Herts. George died 1928 in Watford aged 72, and was buried 8 December in Vicarage Road Cemetery, Watford; Eliza died 1950 in Watford aged 89, and was buried 26 October, also in Vicarage Road Cemetery.
Harry was born 6 August 1886 in Watford, and attended first High Street Infants’ School, Watford; then Beechen Grove Board School, Watford, from 12 February 1994 to 11 May 1900.
On the 1891 Census, aged 6 he lived in Watford, with his parents and five siblings. On the 1901 Census, aged 14 he still lived in Watford, with his parents and six siblings. On the 1911 Census, a potman aged 24, he was a boarder in Long Ditton, Surrey.
Recorded as born and enlisting in Watford.
Wartime Service
He enlisted in Watford, and was formerly Private 80059 Royal Army Medical Corps and Private 5886 17th (County of London) Battalion London Regiment (Poplar & Stepney Rifles).
He was entitled to the Victory and British War medals, and was killed in action in Syria.
Additional Information
There is a brief article about and a Death announcement for Harry in the West Herts and Watford Observer dated 22 June 1918.
Unfortunately, Harry’s Service Record appears to be one that did not survive the World War Two bombing. His half-brother Charley LANGSTONE/LANGSTON died 9 October 1917 and also features on Watford Borough Roll of Honour. *1 appears as Milton in some records.
*1 Believed more correctly, (County of London)
Bn. London Regiment (Poplar and Stepney Rifles).
Acknowledgments
Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
