Private William Walton
22683 14th Durham Light Infantry.
Killed in action 8th July 1916, aged 19.
William was born about 1897 in Nelson, the son of Herbert and Annie Walton. In the 1901 census the family were living at 21 Commercial Rd, Nelson, Lancs. Herbert 32 labourer, Annie 28, Gertrude 5, William 4, Thomas 2 and Mary 2 months.
They had moved to 78 John St, Nelson by the 1911 census. Herbert 42, Annie 39, Gertrude 15, William 14, Thomas 12, Mary 10, Harold 7 and Winifred 5. His parents had been married 17 years and had had 8 children 2 of whom had died.
From The Express and Advertiser dated 26th July 1916: TWO MORE NELSONIANS.
Private William Walton 78 John Street Nelson, of the Durham Light Infantry, was killed in action on July 8th. He was 19 years of age and before joining the Army in December 1914 he was employed as a labourer at the Gasworks.
From The Express and Advertiser dated 5th August 1916: NELSON ORPHAN SOLDIER.
Information has been received by the relatives of Private William Walton of the Durham Light Infantry, who formerly resided at 78 John Street Nelson, that he has been killed. Private Walton was only 19 years of age and he joined the colours in December 1914. In July 1915 he went to the front, and in December he received a severe gunshot wound in the wrist. He was treated for some time in the Canadian Hospital in France, and then came home for a 10 days furlough. He returned to the front after recovering and was killed on the 8th July. Prior to enlisting the deceased soldier was a labourer at Nelson Gasworks. A pathetic feature of the case is that his father died only 6 weeks ago. Private Walton is survived by seven orphaned brothers and sisters, his mother's demise having taken place about 4 years ago.
Lived at 78 St. John Street, Nelson. Brother of Thomas Walton, of 8, Poplar St., Nelson, Lancs.
William left his effects to his sisters, Gertrude and Mary.
William is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France: Panels 36 & 38 (or 14A in the photo below?).
Photo courtesy of George Coppock 2024