Name
John Alfred Evan Norton
28 June 1883
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
24/05/1915
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
458
5th (Royal Irish) Lancers
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 (Mons) Star, British War and Victory Medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL
Panel 5.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
N/A
UK & Other Memorials
Not on the Hemel Hempstead memorials. Llansantffraid War Memorial, Wales
Pre War
John Alfred Evan Norton was born on 28 June 1883 in Wandsworth or Hemel Hempstead, the son of Alfred and Annie Norton. (nee Jones). (N.B. Although Hemel Hempstead is given as place of birth on some military records, his birth was registered at Wandsworth in 1883)
He was educated at Rutland Street School, Tower Hamlets, London, from 17 June 1889 and the family were then living at 11 Baker Street.
His mother was said to be a widow (this is believed to be incorrect) on the 1891 Census her occupation was given as beer retailer. She was living with her four children, John, Catherine, Gladys and Blodwin living at 11 Baker Street.
On the 1901 Census the family were living at the Coach and Horses, Cowpers Row, Streatham, London. John's father Alfred was listed as a beer retailer and as well as his mother there are siblings Mary, Catherine, Gladys, Eleanor and Walter and his grandmother Mary Jones. John was not living at home.
He joined the Army in 1902 and served with the 5th Battalion Royal Irish Lancers. At the time of the 1911 Census, he is listed at the Netheravon Cavalry School in Wiltshire as a Private in the 5th Lancers. It is not known how long he served but was said to be living at Bethnal Green at the time of enlistment for the First World War.
N.B. His mother was buried at Llansatffraid, Cardiganshire, Wales on 19 September 1913. It is believed that her family had lived there. Her previous address was given as 25 Copenhagen Street, Islington, London.
Wartime Service
It is probable that John was a serving soldier at the outbreak of war as he landed in France with his regiment on 15 August.
He served with the 5th Lancers which formed part of the 3rd Cavalry Brigade. They took part in the rearguard action of Solesmes, near Mons, and the subsequent retreat to the Marne. They then fought in the Battle of the Aisne, followed by the Battle of Messines and the First Battle of Ypres. After a winter in Flanders, John fought with the Lancers at the Battle of Neuve Chapelle in March 1915.
He was killed in action during the Battle of Bellewaarde Ridge on 24 May 1915, aged 31. He has no known grave and his name is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium.
Additional Information
His father Alfred received a war gratuity of £5 and pay owing of £4 18s 9d.
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer
Jonty Wild, www1. wales/ceredigion-memorais/llansantffraid-war-memorial
