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Remembered Today:

L Cpl John Hatton, MM 1/4 KOYLI


bigronhartley

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Hello,

Looking for help regarding L Cpl John Hatton, 1833 (later 200204) who was awarded the Military Medal (London Gaz 6 Jan, 1917) whilst serving with 1/4 Yorkshire Light Infantry for an action around 22 October, 1916. Hoping that someone may have information regarding the award (War Diary), where L Cpl Hatton was from, or a Newspaper article relating to the award. Thanks for your help.

Regards

Ron

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Hi Ron

His MIC shows he was a Sgt. entered France 13.4.15.,transferred to Class Z Reserves 12.3.19. Vic/Brit/15 Star. Will keep looking

Regards Barry

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Hello Barry,

Thanks very much for your reply and the information from his MIC. Your help is much appreciated.

I'm hoping someone will be able to locate where he was from so I can contact the Local Library but I haven't been able to find him.

Regards

Ron

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Evening Ron.

The following is from 'Saturday Soldiers' by Malcolm K. Johnson and i presume this could be the instance where Hatton gained the award of the M.M.;

'After ten days out of the line training at Warluzel and Sombrin the two KOYLI battalions returned to the Hebuterne sector. The 1/4th battalion's alertness was given a severe test at 4 p.m. on 22 October when the Germans opened up a heavy bombardment of its front line and support positions that lasted an hour and a half. As darkness fell the enemy attempted a raid on the Z Hedge section held by 'X' Company. Corporal J. Archer of 'W' Company, on the left flank, seeing the danger immediately mounted his Lewis gun on the parapet and opened fire and, in the words of the citation for the award of the DCM, 'dispersing an enemy raiding party at a critical time' prevented the raiders from entering any part of the trench system; a patrol later found one German officer and 10 enemy dead about 30 to 50 yards from the battalion's wire. The GOC VII Corps, Lt Gen Sir T.D'Oyly Snow, sent a congratulatory letter to the battalion in which he said their action 'reflects great credit on your division. The fighting instincts shown by the units affected and especially the prompt action of the Lewis gunners who detected the southern raid is most satisfactory.'

All the best.

Chris.

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Hello Chris,

Thanks very much for the extract from 'Saturday Soldiers' by Malcolm K. Johnson regarding the action on the 22 October, 1916. It looks highly likely that this is the instance where Hatton gained the award of the M.M. It's nice to be able get information about such events, helps tell the story of 'the man behind the medals'. Thanks again for your help it is much appreciated. I now need to find where he was from and, perhaps, trace a Newspaper Article. So onwards and upwards !

Regards

Ron

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Hi Ron.

Wakefield Express is a possibility. 'Comfort Funds' apparently were well reported and no doubt the battalion as a whole.

Best of luck.

Chris

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Hello Chris,

Thanks again for your input. I thought the Wakefield Express was a possibility, do you know if they have it at Leeds Library ?

Regards

Ron

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http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/29893/supplements/345

Ron youve seen the LG its link is above no place name next to his listing!

I had a look on the 1911 census listings of John Hatton "Yorkshire" theres none that immediatly stand out as KOYLI heartlands one lad aged 19 in 1911 living in Barnsley area is a possible theres also a John Hatton of similar age in Bradford and Halifax.

Cant pin it down any further at moment.

Ady

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Hello Ady,

Thanks for your reply, I have reached the same conclusion after looking at the Census data. I was hoping a KOYLI specialist might have been able to help out. Fingers crossed ! Thanks for your help, hope the new jobs going well.

Regards

Ron

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  • 8 years later...

If anyone is still searching regarding John (Thomas) Hatton I think it could refer to my granddad. John lived in Kingsley near Pontefract and was awarded the MM. He later lived in Lofthouse near Wakefield and is buried in Lofthouse cemetery along with his wife Alice Maud. He often told stories about his time fighting both during the war and in the street (bare knuckle)! Hope this may help.

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Hello Sue  

Thanks for your reply. I am still searching for information about John Thomas Hatton and would welcome any further information you might be able to provide relating to his time in the Army and his family life post-war.

Regards

Ron

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