George Thomas Barton

Name

George Thomas Barton

Conflict

First World War

Date of Death / Age

01/10/1916
30

Rank, Service Number & Service Details

Private
G/29565
Duke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex) Regiment
23rd Bn.

Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards

British War and Victory medals

Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country

THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
Pier and Face 12D and 13B
France

Headstone Inscription

Not Researched

UK & Other Memorials

Rickmansworth Urban District Memorial,
St. Mary’s Church Memorial, Rickmansworth,

Pre War

George Thomas was born in 1886 in Baughurst, Hampshire the son of George and Ellen(or Helen) Barton.

His father was a Policeman – a Constable in 1891 based in Stockbridge, and in 1901 a Sergeant in Ringwood. By 1911 his father had left the police force and was farming near Salisbury. George age 24 was a Gardener boarding with Spencer and Harriett Homewood in Winter Lion Lane, London Colney. In 1915 he married Maria Ellen Hooper and their son Ronald G T Barton was born in 1916.

At his death Maria and her son were living at 69 Uxbridge Road, Rickmansworth. Maria did not remarry and in 1939 was still living at 69 Uxbridge Road together with her son Ronald age 23, a Shipping Clerk.

He was recorded as Born in Hampshire and living in London Colney when he enlisted in Bedford.

Wartime Service

The village of Gueudecourt was captured during the Battle of Morval 25th to the 28th of September 1916, and was then used as a jumping off point for the subsequent Battle of Le Transloy, which took place between the 1st and 28th of October. At 3.15pm on the 1st 23rd Battalion, in conjunction with patrols from the Durham Light Infantry and an attack by New Zealand Division, sent out three patrols. Their orders were to ascertain whether a small salient in the enemy front line was occupied during the day; if not they were to seize it; if it was to dig in 200 yards from the enemy front line. The patrols met immediate heavy opposition by shelling and machine gun fire and were soon in disorder.

Orders were received to withdraw and at dusk search parties were sent out to collect the remnants of the patrols and to bring in wounded. Casualties, presumed to include George, were 18 killed, 29 wounded, 11 missing.

Additional Information

George is also commemorated on the family (in laws) headstone in Rickmansworth (Chorley Road) Cemetery. His part of the inscription reads:

Acknowledgments

Tanya Britton, Mike Collins