COMPLETED..William James Thornton

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COMPLETED..William James Thornton

Postby mjay » Tue Jun 03, 2014 12:57 pm

Any chance anyone can find any more info on this guy please

First name WILLIAM JAMES
Last name THORNTON
Service number 44403
Rank PRIVATE
Regiment Royal Welsh Fusiliers
Battalion 8th Battalion.
Birth place TIPTON, STAFFS
Residence -
Enlistment place TIPTON
Death year 1917
Death day 9
Death month 7
How died Died
Death location Mesopotamia
Theatre of war Asiatic Theatres
Supplementary Notes -
Country Great Britain
Record set Soldiers died in the Great War 1914-1919
Category Military, armed forces & conflict
Record collection First World War
Collections from Great Britain

Thanks x
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Re: William James Thornton

Postby mallosa » Tue Jun 03, 2014 10:42 pm

Doesn't give his age does it....

THORNTON, W
Rank: Private
Service No: 44403
Date of Death:09/07/1917
Regiment/Service:Royal Welsh Fusiliers 8th Bn.
Grave Reference XX. M. 9.
Cemetery BAGHDAD (NORTH GATE) WAR CEMETERY

Additional Information:
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Re: William James Thornton

Postby apowell » Wed Jun 04, 2014 7:14 am

Hi,

You're in luck because I found William's service records:

Enlisted: 11th Dec 1915
Mobilized; 11th Sep 1916
Joined: 8th RWF Regiment
Posted: Iraq
Died: 9 Jul 1917 (Heat stroke)
Award: British & Victory medals

On his service records there are the original enquiry papers concerning his death which explain in detail the events leading up to and including his death. Sadly some of these papers are ripped and parts missing however there is alot of information still included.

It was very sad to read that his child was born in 1916 so William wouldn't have had much time to spend with him. This really brings home the true horrors od war.

His wife (one child) received pension 18/9 per week from 14th Jan 1918.

Any further information just ask.

Take care
Adrian
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Re: William James Thornton

Postby mjay » Wed Jun 04, 2014 9:30 am

Keep it coming this is great Pete & Adrian

Any info you have at all please Adrian, especially patents, next of kin where he in listed DOB, age at death etc etc,
Did he get any medals ?

Not having much time with his child, Adrian your right it is sad to read
Thanks again appreciate the help
Mandy
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Re: William James Thornton

Postby apowell » Wed Jun 04, 2014 11:14 am

Hi Mandy,

Yes William was awarded the British & Victory medals and on his service records these were sent to his wife.

William and wife were residing at 12 Tichbourne St, Dudley on his enlistment 11th Dec 1915.

William's occupation was foundry manager. DOB aged 36 yrs and 27 days on enlistment (I'm no good at maths :P )

Next of Kin details:
date given: 30th Oct 1919
father: Deceased
wife: Sarah Ann Thornton 33 Hall st, Dudley
children: none
mother: Esther Thornton, 23 Waterloo St, Tipton
siblings: sister-Kate Thornton, age 38, 23 Waterloo St, Tipton

William and Sarah's only child Robert Henry Thornton born 16th Jan 1916 must have died between 1918-1919 if the next of kin details are correct. Terrible blow for the poor wife Sarah :?

This maybe the death entry :

Name:
Robert H Thornton

Birth Date:
abt 1916

Date of Registration:
Dec 1918

Age at Death:
2

Registration district:
Dudley

Inferred County:
Worcestershire

Volume:
6b

Page:
2145

William's father must have been Henry Thornton born abt 1856 Dudley- census return of 1881. Henry must have died between 1881-1891 because he doesn't appear on the 1891 census.

I hope this helps.
Kind regards
Adrian
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Re: William James Thornton

Postby mjay » Wed Jun 04, 2014 7:18 pm

Thanks Adrian, will look into this in more detail as I'm not sure he is the William Thornton I thought he was However could still ne realted to here though what do you think ?
http://bcconnections.tribalpages.com/fa ... ton-Family

Great find though
Thanks again
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Re: William James Thornton

Postby apowell » Thu Jun 05, 2014 6:48 am

mjay wrote:Thanks Adrian, will look into this in more detail as I'm not sure he is the William Thornton I thought he was However could still ne realted to here though what do you think ?
http://bcconnections.tribalpages.com/fa ... ton-Family

Great find though
Thanks again


Hi,

Yes this is the same person because parents and only sibling fit perfectly with information on his service records, the address (23 Waterloo St, Tipton) of his mother and sibling on the 1911 census is a match with details on next of kin on his service records.

Glad to have helped.

Regards
Adrian
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Re: William James Thornton

Postby mjay » Thu Jun 05, 2014 9:09 am

Great thanks Adrian
Researching: Yates,Hunt,Brookes,Artess,Sheldon,Thornton,Hooper,Crowley,Lacy,Downes,Weaver,Artess
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