Name
Ronald John Barton
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
30/12/1914
18
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Ordinary Seaman
J/20462
Royal Navy
H.M.S. Cornwallis
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
CHATHAM NAVAL MEMORIAL
Panel 3.
United Kingdom
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Watford Borough Roll of Honour, St Michael and All Angels Church Memorial, Watford
Pre War
Son of George Henry and Alice (nee MARTINDALE) BARTON.
His parent’s marriage is proving elusive. George died 1914 in Watford aged 51, and was buried 23 June in Vicarage Road Cemetery, Watford; Alice died 1917 in Watford aged 43, and was buried 6 January, also in Vicarage Road Cemetery.
Ronald was born 9 April 1896 in Watford. He attended Beechen Grove Board School, Watford, from 10 January 1905 to 5 March 1909.
On the 1901 Census, aged 4 he lived in Watford, with his parents and three siblings. On the 1911 Census, aged 14 he still lived in Watford, with his parents and two siblings.
Wartime Service
He enlisted 9 April 1914 – 12 years service; an errand boy, 5’ 3½” tall. He was entitled to the Victory, British War and Star medals, and was lost overboard at sea when H.M.S. Cornwallis was assigned to patrol duties off the west coast of Ireland, where she was based at Clew Bay and Killarney Bay.
Additional Information
There is an article about Ronald in the West Herts and Watford Observer dated 16 January 1915.
Acknowledgments
Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
