Dave Teal Posted 27 May , 2013 Share Posted 27 May , 2013 I'm trying to research a soldier Harry Walton of the West Riding Regiment who was from Barwick in Elmet, West Yorkshire (8 miles from Leeds) . I know he was awarded the Military Medal in late 1916. I trying to find out details of why he was awarded the medal and also confirm his details (service numbers, etc). I've come across him in a local newspaper report from August 1917 when he was home on leave and was awarded a watch by the village for his bravery. The few details in the report are : Corporal Hy Walton - West Yorks Regiment. Awarded MM in late 1916 ".....Corporal Walton was not giving away any military secrets. Since then however some few details had been obtained. It appeared that for some days Corporal Walton had been in charge of a telephone well advanced towards the front line, and that the way in which he had send and received messages, often at great danger to himself, had played no small part in the success of the pre-arranged plans of the officers. For his strict and diligent attention to his duties Corporal Walton was recommended by his captain to the commanding officier as meriting some distinction, with the result that he was awarded the Military Medal" I've searched the London Gazette, and the most hopeful is in the edition of 12th Dec 1916, when 2349 Pte.H.Walton,W.York.R. is awarded the MM. I looked at this chaps medal card which says he was promoted to a Sgt in the regiment with number 305539 but I'm not certain this is the Barwick in Elmet man as there is no mention of Corporal. There appears to be no service record surviving. I know local papers are notorious for getting the exact details wrong so Corporal could be wrong. Any help/pointers appreciated. Thanks Dave Teal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinBattle Posted 28 May , 2013 Share Posted 28 May , 2013 Don't know if this helps in any way, but just looking for West Yorkshire Reg't men (not West Riding!) one of these Medal Index Cards might be him. Is this him in 1911 Census? East Ardsley is not too distant from Barwick in Elmet... Name: Henry Walton. Age in 1911: 31. Estimated Birth Year: abt 1880. Birth Place: Durham, England Civil Parish: East Ardsley, Yorkshire-West Riding Street Address: 11 Healy Croft Terrace, East Ardsley Nr Wakefield Marital Status: Married. Occupation: Coal Miner/Hewer Name: Harry Walton. Rank: Private (noted as Sgt later) Regiment or Corps: West Yorkshire Regiment, West Yorkshire Regiment Regimental Number: 2349, 305539 Qualified for 1915 Star and disembodied (survived) No mention of MM Name: Harry Walton. Rank: Private only Regiment or Corps: West Yorkshire Regiment, West Yorkshire Regiment, Army Ordnance Corps Regimental Number: 3548, 306177, 11777 Not Overseas until 1916. No note of MM. SWB List Name: Harry Walton. Rank: Private Regiment or Corps: West Yorkshire Regiment Regimental Number: 19255. Died of Wounds Oct 1916 so not our man. Name: Harry Walton. Rank: Private Regiment or Corps: West Yorkshire Regiment, Army Service Corps Regimental Number: 59543, M/375292. Not Overseas until 1916. Name: Harry Walton. Rank: Private Regiment or Corps: Yorkshire Light Infantry, West Yorkshire Regiment Regimental Number: 21015, 43677. 1915 Star. Killed in Action Arras Dec 1917 Name: Henry Walton. Rank: Private. Regiment or Corps: West Yorkshire Regiment, West Yorkshire Regiment Regimental Number: 2657, 240703 Qualified for 1915 Star and disembodied (survived) No mention of MM Name: Henry Walton Regiment or Corps: West Yorkshire Regiment Regimental Number: 48948 Silver War Badge. Enlisted 1917 so not our man. Name: Henry Walton Regiment or Corps: West Yorkshire Regiment Regimental Number: 49802 Silver War Badge. Enlisted 1917 so not our man. Just on the rank info, I'd guess at 2349, 305539 as most likely, and ties in with your MM reference, but without a definite link to Barwick, it's no better than a guess. NB: A Private advances through L/Cpl; Cpl and then Serjeant (WW1 spelling) BUT I believe there are instances of a man being promoted "in the field" as it were to Serjeant due to acts of exemplary courage on the battlefield. In addition many held "Acting" or "Temporary" appointments but without the pay of the higher rank until a period of assessment of about 6 months. The MIC would show only the initial rank and the highest rank due to restrictions of space. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Teal Posted 28 May , 2013 Author Share Posted 28 May , 2013 Thanks Kevin, I've managed to find him in the 1911 census in Barwick aged 16 and a Cow Man. I'm pretty certain it is the 2349, 305539 chap, just not 100% sure. I think I'll have another search of the local papers to see if they have anything more, particulary around Dec 1916. The info on the MIC likely to only show the initial and highest rank is very useful, thanks. Could war diaries or any regimental archives help, and if so where would the be? Anyone know? Thanks Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pavster1980 Posted 28 May , 2013 Share Posted 28 May , 2013 Let me have a look in some of my book and see what I can come up with. Rich Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Thompson Posted 28 May , 2013 Share Posted 28 May , 2013 Good evening Dave, Yes I found him but down as Henry and not Harry, but can still not find anything else out. I know a couple of lads interested in the West Yorkshire Regiment and pass it by them and see what they know. Cheers Roger. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel Marshall Posted 28 May , 2013 Share Posted 28 May , 2013 Hello Dave, Thanks for your email about Fred Mouncey and Harry Atack. I will get back to you on that, but things have been a bit hectic of late. Hi Roger, thanks for alerting me to Dave's post. Henry Walton is not a name I'm familiar with, but I'll have a look at what I have and get back to you. Cheers, Nigel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel Marshall Posted 28 May , 2013 Share Posted 28 May , 2013 Although the war diary for December 1916 is pretty bland, it doesn't mention any awards to officers or soldiers of the battalion from then through to March 1917. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Teal Posted 29 May , 2013 Author Share Posted 29 May , 2013 Thanks Nigel. The medal award is mentioned in the London Gazette of 12th Dec 1916, I'm not sure how long it would take from them to pick this up from the front line but guess a week or more? In that case would the reference be in November or perhaps even October 1916? Is it also possible that no mention of a medal award would be made in the diary? Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mmm45 Posted 30 May , 2013 Share Posted 30 May , 2013 From Howard Williamsons book the LG around that date for MMs indicate largely individual awards for small actions such as trench raids .These actions would have taken place in Sept 1916 Ady Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest davewalton Posted 4 August , 2014 Share Posted 4 August , 2014 Sergeant Harry Walton. Regimental nimber 305539. Born Barwick-in-Elmet 6.11.1896 not as stated in military records which was 1894. Lied about his age, he was 17 when he enlisted. Father, John, coal leader. Mother Alice. Awarded Milkitary Medal, 12.12.1916. Presented with pocket watch at Barwick-in-Elmet 18.8.1917. Inscription reads: presented to Cpl. H. Walton, West Yorkshire Regiment by the residents of Barwick-in-Elmet 18th August 1917 to mark their appreciation of the services he rendered in the European War for which he was awarded the Military Medal. Harry died age 92 on the 11th July 1985 of cancer. I am David Walton, Harrys grandson and have his watch and medals. I live in Crossgates, Leeds only 8 miles from Barwick -in-Elmet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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