Name
Joseph Thornton Laughton
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
29/09/1918
22
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Second Lieutenant
Bedfordshire Regiment
1st Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
ST. SEVER CEMETERY EXTENSION, ROUEN
S. V. D. 5.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Hatfield Town Memorial
Pre War
Joseph was the son of Thomas and Beechie Laughton. He was born in Kensington in 1896 and baptised on 19th May. His father worked as a butler.
The 1901 Census records Joseph, aged 5, as living with his mother (born in Hatfield) at 5, St Marks Grove Kensington. His Mother is living off her own means. There were also five boarders living at the address. In 1911 Joseph, aged 15, was living as boarder at 67, Pembroke St. Bedford, his occupation is given as Auctioneers Apprentice. Joseph’s Mother (widowed) was Cook/servant at 27, Chaucer Rd Bedford.
Wartime Service
Joseph became a Second Lieutenant in the 1st Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment.
His Medal Card shows that Joseph signed up with the 28th London Regiment No 763750, later was transferred to the Beds Regt. It gives next of kin as Mrs Laughton (mother) of River View, Whitechurch, Ross on Wye, Herefordshire
The 1st Battalion War Diary 27/9/18, provided the following information:
(The Battles of the Hindeburg Line - the Battle of the Canal du Nord) Beaucamps Battalion advanced over the top to the attack at 7.52 am & captured part of Beaucamp [sic] Village all objectives taken. During the afternoon German Bombing Party attacked which caused Battalion to draw back to Sunken Road & evacuate the village. Capt H.C.LOE, M.C. [Harold Charles LOE, MC] & 2/Lt. H.HUTCHINSON [Herbert HUTCHINSON] Killed. Capt. R.L. Shaw [Robert Leslie SHAW], Capt & Adjt.A.H.O. RIDDELL [Alexander Herbert Oliver RIDDELL], Lt.F.H.MELVILL [Frederick Henry MELVILL] & 2/Lts. W.T.MORRIS [William Thomas MORRIS], J.T.LAUGHTON [Joseph Thornton LAUGHTON], died on the Ambulance train that day], G.W. BLACKWELL [Greville William BLACKWELL] wounded. Other Ranks - 19 Killed, 96 Wounded, 1 Died of Wds. 19 Missing & 1 Wd. & Missing.
Awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Additional Information
England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1861-1941: Laughton J.T Born 1896 Kensington London, Wills, Laughton J.T of 27 Chaucer Rd Bedford 2nd Lieutenant 1st Battalion Bedfordshire Regt. Died 29th Sep. 1918 at Rouen France, Administration Northampton 26th May 1919 to Beechie Laughton widow, effects £137 19s 5d.
Ancestry England & Wales Death Index, 1916-2005: Beechie Laughton, died in Hatfield in 1948 aged 86.
The only connection that Joseph seems to have had with Hatfield is through his mother who was born in Hatfield.
Acknowledgments
Jonty Wild, Christine & Derek Martindale, Hatfield Local History Society (www.hatfieldhistory.uk), www.bedfordshireregiment.org.uk
