Noel Shipley Thornton.7th Rifle Brigade

[PBI]

Came across this Interesting memorial Tablet.

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Captain (Temp. Major) N.S. Thornton, D.S.O., M.C.

Noel S. Thornton was the youngest son of the Rev. John Thornton of Betchworth, Surrey and was born in 1884, educated at Charterhouse and Trinity College, Cambridge. Upon war breaking out, he, on 3rd September 1914, enlisted in the Public Schools Brigade, 19th (Service) Battalion Royal fusiliers and went to France with them on the 14th November 1915, as a Sergeant. In July 1916 he was granted a Commission in the Rifle Brigade and after a brief spell in England he, on 24th August, joined the 7th (Service) Battalion in France as a 2nd Lieutenant. Three days after this he was given command of a Company. For several months he was Lewis-Gun Officer. He was made Temporary Captain inMarch 1917 but in May ws invalided to England with trench fever. He went out again in August 1917 and was promoted Captain and appointed Adjutant og his old Battalion, 7th. On 18th December 1917 he was mentioned in Despatches and the same month he was gazetted Temporary Major and made 2nd in Command of the 7th Battalion. In March 1918 he obtained command of this Battalion. On April 3rd, he was severely wounded in action during the operations in front of Amiens, and died on the 10th in hospital. He married in 1910 and leaves a widow and two sons.

Andy

[PBI]

Thanks for the Profile Andy.As you can see the Memorial Tablet itself is in Pristine Condition..Sadly unlike the Memorial in the Churchyard.

[stiletto_33853]

Hi Russ,

No problem.

D.S.O. 3/6/18

For Conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He stopped stragglers and organized them into formed bodies and defended a most exposed position for three hours under heavy artillery fire and machine gun barrage. Some days later he saved some of his company from being cut off. He continued to give a magnificent example of courage and leadership until badly wounded.

M.C. 26/7/18

Desptaches x2

Andy