Pte 49109 John Norton

• Age: 21
• From: Dukinfield, Cheshire
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 17th Btn
• K.I.A Saturday 28th April 1917
• Commemorated at: Cherisy Rd East Cem, Heninel
  Panel Ref: 30

John was born in the March quarter of 1896 in Dukinfield, Cheshire with his birth registered in Ashton under Lyne, the youngest son of John Norton and his wife Lydia (née Armitage).  His parents, both born in Stalybridge, married in St Peter's Church, Ashton under Lyne in 1878 and had six children. Their first child, a son also called John, was born in 1878 but died at age 1. John had older siblings Annie 1879 (who died at the age of 11 in 1891), Alice 1888, Anthony 1890, and Emma 1893, all born in Ashton under Lyne. By late 1895 or early 1896, when John was born, they had moved to Dukinfield, Cheshire.

The population of Dukinfield boomed during the days of the cotton industry and later the coal industry with its major rail junction contributing to its prosperity and growth. By the end of the 19th century 14 spinning mills of varying sizes were in operation. 

It is not known how long the family remained in Dukinfield, but by 1901 they have returned to Stalybridge. 

The 1901 census finds them at 23 Hollins Street, with four children. His father, John, is 47 years of age and is employed as a cowman on a farm, whilst his mother, Lydia, is a 47 year old cotton weaver. John is 5. The eldest child, Alice, although only 12, is working as a reacher in the weaving department of a cotton mill, Anthony is 10, and Emma 6. Many of their neighbours are employed in the cotton industry.

Stalybridge became one of the first centres of textile manufacturing during the Industrial Revolution.  At the turn of the century, the cotton industry was still strong, and the population of the town reached its peak in 1901, at over 27,000, but as trade dwindled the population began to decline, and the main industry of Stalybridge continued to fail.  

By 1911 the family are living at 5 Set Street, Stalybridge. Both parents are 57, his father a farm labourer. They have been married for 33 years and have had six children, four of whom have survived.  Anthony, 20, is a carter for an iron dealer.  The other siblings work in a cotton mill;  Alice, 22, as a frame tenter (cotton), Emma, 16, is a weaver, and John, 15, is a piecer. 

His mother died in the summer of 1914, aged 60.

He enlisted in Stalybridge, initially joining the Cheshire Regiment as Private 5035, he was subsequently transferred to the 17th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 49109. John was posted to the K.L.R. before shipping overseas, as the medal roll shows only K.L.R.

John was killed in action on 28th April 1917 aged 21.

On the 28th April 1917, the Battalion was in the trenches East of Henniel, and whilst waiting relief by the 7th Battalion The Middlesex Regiment, its flanks were attacked by the Germans and its lines were shelled. This attack commenced at 03.00am. During the course of the relief, whilst the Battalion was moving to new positions west of Wancourt, Second-Lieutenant Band and 11 other ranks were killed, and a further 11 other ranks were wounded.

He now rests at Cherisy Road East Cemetery, Heninel, France at Plot 30. He shares his headstone with Lance Corporal 49033 John Brown of the 17th Battalion who was also killed in action on 28th April 1917 and rests at Plot 29. 

He was listed among the local deaths in action in the Manchester Evening News on 12th May 1917.

STALYBRIDGE

Pte. JOHN NORTON, King's Liverpool Regiment, 5 Set Street, killed on April 28.

His medals were returned for an adjustment in the engraving.  

The pension card shows that Emma, in Set Street, was awarded a pension of 11/- a week from March 1918.  John’s Army effects and a War Gratuity of £3 went to his sister Emma Skidmore.   

His father died in the March quarter of 1919, aged 65.

John's next of kin was his brother Anthony Norton of 4 Sun Street, Stalybridge.

John is commemorated on the following Memorials:

Stalybridge War Memorial

The Old Chapel Members, Dukinfield 

The Old Chapel Roll of Honour, Dukinfield.

We currently have no further information on John Norton, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.