Name
John Charlton
circa 1892
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
28/02/1919
28
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Lance Corporal
86232
Royal Army Medical Corps
'4' Coy.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
ASTON (ST. MARY) CHURCHYARD
120 East. Cemetery:
United Kingdom
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Aston War Memorial,
St. Mary’s Church Roll of Honour, Aston,
Hitchin Town Memorial,
St Mary's Church Roll of Honour (Book), Hitchin,
Diocese - Book of Remembrance, St Albans Cathedral, St Albans,
Diocese of St Albans - ROH, St Albans Cathedral, St Albans
Pre War
John was born around 1892 in Chillingham, Northumberland and his parents were John and Mary J Charlton.
In his service record no father was recorded, his mother was Mary Jane Charlton, who lived at Aston, near Stevenage, but a brother, George Penrose Charlton
In 1891 the family were living at School House, Chillingham, Northumberland. Only John (26) and Mary J Charlton (24) were present so presumably soon after their marriage. John was a schoolmaster.
By 1901 the Mary was living at St Stephens Cottage, Aston, Stevenage and she was working as an infant school mistress. Her husband was not present, but their 2 sons were: John (9) and George P (6). A servant was also present.
In 1911 the family were still living at St Stephens Cottage, Aston. Mary was now confirmed as a widow. She was not recorded as an elementary school teacher. John, now 19, and working as a journalist. Also present was Emily Sarah Ottaway, a borderer and also a teacher, and a visitor Annie Elizabeth Thwaites (28),
John married Nellie Davidge on 17 April 1915, they lived in Hitchin and had a son, Harold John, on 21 July 1916.
Before joining the Army John was employed as collector by the Pearl insurance Company although his trade was as a Journalist.
John enlisted on the 15 June 1916, joining the Royal Army Medical Corps as 810232. At that time John was living at 72 Ickleford Road, Hitchin, Herts., and was working as an insurance agent. He was 24 years and 10 months old. He was 5’ 8”, wore glasses, had deformed toes on his left foot and wore upper dentures, so he was only graded category BII at his medical,
He was registered as a sanitary orderly.
Wartime Service
He embarked from Southampton on 29 April 1917, arriving in Le Havre the following day.
He caught measles and was admitted to 58 General Hospital on 16 March 1918 and the to 7 General Hospital and was discharged on 7 April 1918. He joined No. 2 Sanitary Squad on the 17th. Promoted to Acting Corporal (without pay) 24 August 1918 and received a pay increase in November, having been registered as a sanitary orderly the month before.
He died at home in Hitchin on 28 February 1918 from septic pneumonia, while he was on leave from France.
He was buried in Grave 120 East in Aston (St. Mary) Churchyard, Herts though a visit in 1999 failed to locate the grave.
Additional Information
His pension cards record Nellie as his widow and as his next of kin/dependant, living at Mountclair, Southhill Avenue, Harrow, Sussex. She was awarded a pension of 20s 5d a week from 15 September 1919.
She was sent his Death Plaque and Scroll in 1920.
Later Nellie remarried becoming Mrs N Sevenoaks of 7, Parkfield Parade, Northholt Road, South Harrow.
John is also commemorated on a family headstone in St Mary's Churchyard, Aston. The inscription reads:
In Loving Memory of
George Penrose
George Penrose
Who Died 23rd Feb. 1902 Aged 69 Years.
Also of John
The Dear Husband of Nellie Charlton
And Elder So of John M J Charlton
Who Died 28th Feb. 1919
Aged 27 Years.
Acknowledgments
Paul Johnson, www.stevenageatwar.com David C Baines, Jonty Wild
