Main CPGW Record
Surname: THORNTON
Forename(s): Charles
Place of Birth: Egerton, Bolton, Lancashire
Service No: 17677
Rank: Private
Regiment / Corps / Service: Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
Battalion / Unit: 'D' Coy 6th (Service) Battalion
Division: 13th (Western) Division
Age: 33
Date of Death: 1916-04-09
Awards: ---
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: Panel 27.
CWGC Cemetery: ---
CWGC Memorial: BASRA MEMORIAL
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial: SKIPTON, YORKSHIRE
Additional Information:
Charles Thornton was the son of Benjamin Stead and Margaret Ellen Thornton, née Whittle. Benjamin was born at Turton and Margaret at Bolton, Lancashire.
1891 Bradshaw [near Bolton], Lancashire Census: 10, Back Lane - Charles Thornton, aged 8 years, born Turton, Lancashire, son of Benjamin and Margaret Ellen Thornton.
1901 Bolton, Lancashire Census: 9, Great Moor Street - Charles Thornton, aged 18 years, born Bolton, Lancashire, son of Benjamin and Margaret E. Thornton.
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte Charles Thornton, 17677, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment. Theatre of War (2b) Balkans. Qualifying date [for 1914-15 Star]: 14 November 1915.
Data Source: Local War Memorial
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Entry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record: ---
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Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 13th (Western) Division
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ROLL CALL OF THE SKIPTON DIVISION LIBERAL & CONSERVATIVE ASSOCIATIONS, August 4th 1914 - August 4th 1916
Entry on Page 36
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09 June 1916
A SKIPTON PRIVATE MISSING
Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Thornton, of 35, Bright Street, Skipton, have received information from the War Office that their son, Private Charles Thornton, of “D” Company, 6th Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, has been missing since April 9th. He was taking part in the operations in Mesopotamia, and the last letter received from Private Thornton by his parents was on April 8th, the day previous to him being reported missing. In the letter he states:–
“I hope you are all keeping well. I am very thankful to be able to tell you I am well at present as we have just started a very successful attack on the enemy, and have advanced a good way and are still doing so. I have come out all right up to now. It has been the finest sight I have ever seen, only it is sad to see the dead and wounded and we are living in the open altogether at present. The mail has just arrived, and I got a splendid parcel from Mr. A. Townsend, Skipton. It contained “tabs,” a nice currant cake, which I have had for tea, Oxo cubes, two night-lights, a good box of chocolates, writing paper and envelopes, and a pencil. Could you have seen us all receiving our parcels it would have done your heart good, as we cannot get any mortal thing out here. Remember me to all Skipton friends and thank them for the parcel. When the war is over we will have a nice little holiday together. The officers in command are very pleased with our work for we have done very well.”
Private Thornton, before the war, was in business at Bolton. He, however, sold his business and enlisted at Preston in October 1914. After being in training at various camps in England he went out to Egypt in November last year. From there he went to Gallipoli where he had been engaged in some very heavy fighting, taking part in the evacuation from Suvla Bay. It is believed he was with General Aylmer’s forces who went to the relief of General Townshend’s at Kut, but as to his whereabouts news has not yet been received. He is 31 years of age and unmarried.
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09 June 1916
SOLDIER MISSING IN MESOPOTAMIA
Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Thornton, of 35, Bright Street, Skipton, have received information from the War Office that their son, Private Charles Thornton, of D Company, 6th Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, has been missing since April 9th. He was taking part in the operations in Mesopotamia, and the last letter received from Private Thornton by his parents was on April 8th, the day previous to him being reported missing. In the letter he states:– “I hope you are all keeping well. I am very thankful to be able to tell you I am well at present as we have just started a very successful attack on the enemy, and have advanced a good way and are still doing so. I have come out all right up to now. It has been the finest sight I have ever seen, only it is sad to see the dead and wounded. We are living in the open altogether at present. The mail has just arrived, and I got a splendid parcel from Mr. A. Townsend, Skipton. (The parcel sent out by the Choral Society at the New Year.) It contained ‘tabs’, a nice currant cake, which I have had for tea, Oxo cubes, two night-lights, a good box of chocolates, writing paper and envelopes, and a pencil. Could you have seen us all receiving our parcels it would have done your heart good, as we cannot get any mortal thing out here. Remember me to all Skipton friends and thank them for the parcel. When the war is over we will have a nice little holiday together. The officers in command are very pleased with our work for we have done very well.”
Private Thornton, before the war, was in business at Bolton. He, however, sold his business and enlisted at Preston in October 1914. After being in training at various camps in England he went out to Egypt in November last year. From there he went to Gallipoli where he had been engaged in some very heavy fighting, taking part in the evacuation from Suvla Bay. It is believed he was with General Aylmer’s forces who went to the relief of General Townshend’s at Kut, but as to his whereabouts no news has yet been received. He is 31 years of age and unmarried.
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