Name
Archibald Edward Katon
7 Oct 1887
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
22/08/1917
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
241812
Seaforth Highlanders (the Ross-Shire Buffs)
8th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
TYNE COT MEMORIAL
Panel 132 to 135.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
NA
UK & Other Memorials
Harpenden Town Memorial,
Church of St Nicholas Memorial, Harpenden
Pre War
Archibald Edward was born on 7 Oct 1887 in Barton Regis, Glos to Harry Katon, a Colour Sergeant, Instructor with Gloucester Regiment (2nd Volunteers), and Mary Anne (nee Hammond).
On the 1891 Census they living at Queen Street, Cirencester. On 20 Dec 1901 he was employed as messenger Boy in the Post Office (His Proof of Birth states he was baptised at Preston Barracks). The family were living at Melbourne Grove, Camberwell.
Wartime Service
Archibald enlisted at Grays, Essex in the East Surrey Regiment on 28 Feb 1916 as Private 1927 (or 12532 dependent on some records). At some point he was transferred to Seaforth Highlanders (as Private 241812).
Archibald married Alice Parnell in May 1917 in Harpenden while he was stationed in Cromer, Norfolk. They lived at 4 Symington Street, Harpenden.
He went to France later in 1917 to join the 8th (Service) Battalion, (B Company VII Platoon). Archibald was posted as missing in Aug 1917 and was presumed to have died 22 Aug 1917. This would be the Attack of the 22nd August which was a continuation of the Battle of Langemarck, Ypres, itself part of Passchendaele. His body was not recovered and He remembered on The Tyne Cot Memorial.
Additional Information
War Gratuity of £5 and arrears of £1 13s 7d paid to his widow.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Jonty Wild, Mary Skinner, Harpenden & District Local History Society (www.harpenden-history.org.uk)
