World War 1
Search the known records to date of those lost from the wider Alnwick area in World War 1
Generally showing where they are commemorated, when they died and some basic facts about each person. There are gaps, however, so if you can fill in any missing details do please contact us.
Harold Foster Walton
Forename(s):
Harold Foster
Surname:
Walton
Initial(s):
H F
Service Number:
Officer
Rank:
2nd Lieutenant
Regiment:
Northumberland Fusiliers, 27th (Service) Battalion (4th Tyneside Irish)
Died:
11/04/1917
Aged:
23
Buried:
Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension
Service History:
Enlisted as a Private & joined the Northumberland Fusiliers 4th Battalion TF - Regimental service #4/1557.
Disembarked in France with the Northumbrian Infantry Brigade on 20 April 1915, so will have been involved with the Second Battle of Ypres (22 April - 25 May 1915), infamous for being the first battle in which the Germans used poison gas as a weapon of war on the Western Front. As such, he was entitled to 'Pip, Squeak & Wilfred', the affectionate names given to the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal & Allied Victory Medal.
It is not known when Walton was selected for a commission but he will have received at least 6 months officer training in the UK, probably more, before returning to the Western Front as an officer. The UK, WW1 Service Medal & Award Rolls, 1914-1920 reveal Walton had already been promoted to Corporal beforehand.
Died of wounds received.
Background:
Born about 1894, at Alston, Cumbria, probably the only son of Joseph & Ruth Walton, of Freelands, Alnwick, Northumberland, both of who were born about 1857-1858.
The family were native to Alston where all were born. In 1911, they were living at Station House, Hexham where Joseph was the Railway Station Master. The 1901 Census records the family living at Alnmouth Station, Lesbury, Alnwick, Northumberland where, again, Joseph was the Station Master.
Three siblings, all older sisters: twins Edith Mary & Amy A. (b. about 1883); & Lilian Ruth (b. about 1888; an Elementary School Teacher). There is no mention of Amy A. in the 1911 Census but she was old enough to have been married by then.
Walton followed his father into working for the North Eastern Railway Company. In 1911, he was a Railway Clerk, presumably working at Hexham.
Local Memorial:
Alnwick, Memorial Plaque in former premises of the DukeÂ’s School
(Source: Dudley George; August 2018)