Main CPGW Record
Surname: THORNTON
Forename(s): Charles Valentine
Place of Birth: Nelson, Lancashire
Service No: 7605
Rank: Private
Regiment / Corps / Service: Dragoon Guards, 5th (Princess Charlotte of Wales’s)
Battalion / Unit: ---
Division: 1st Cavalry Division
Age: 23
Date of Death: 1918-08-08
Awards: M.I.D., Croix de Guerre
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: II. A. 2
CWGC Cemetery: HEATH CEMETERY, HARBONNIERES
CWGC Memorial: ---
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial: BARNOLDSWICK, YORKSHIRE
Additional Information:
Charles Valentine Thornton (born 29 October 1894) was the son of Charles and Mary Emma Thornton, née Popplewell. Charles, senior, was born at Bradley, near Skipton and Mary at Thornhill, near Dewsbury, Yorkshire.
1901 Nelson, Lancashire Census: 72, Hibson Road - Charles V. Thornton, aged 6 years, born Nelson, son of Charles and Mary E. Thornton.
1911 Barnoldswick, Yorkshire Census: Moorfield, Coates - Charles Valentine Thornton, aged 16 years, born Nelson, Lancashire, son of Charles and Mary Emma Thornton.
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte Charles Thornton, D/7605, 5th Dragoon Guards. Theatre of War first served in: [1 - France]. Date of entry therein: 15 August 1914.
Supplement to the London Gazette, 15 April 1918: Croix de Guerre – 7605 Private Charles Thornton, Dragoon Guards (Bainolds Wick).
A short biography of Charles is included in: ‘Barnoldswick – A small Town’s part in conflicts 1800 to 2014’ by Peter Ian Thompson (2014).
Data Source: Craven’s Part in the Great War - original CPGW book entry
View Entry in CPGW BookEntry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record:
THORNTON, Trooper C.V., aged 23, Dragoon Guards, son of Mr. C. Thornton, [Barnoldswick], killed in action Aug. 14, 1918.
---
Click the thumbnail below to view a larger image.
Private Charles Valentine THORNTON
Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Dragoon Guards, 5th (Princess Charlotte of Wales’s)
Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 1st Cavalry Division
View Additional Image(s)
Additional Photo(s) For Soldier Records
Ghyll Undenominational Burial Ground, Barnoldswick
Family gravestone - detail of memorial inscription
View Craven Herald Articles
View Craven Herald Articles
19 January 1917
BARNOLDSWICK – MENTIONED IN DESPATCHES
Trooper Chas. Valentine Thornton, eldest son of Mrs. Chas. Thornton, solicitor and clerk to the Barnoldswick Council, was amongst those mentioned in the recent despatches from Sir Douglas Haig for “conspicuous gallantry and conduct in the field”.
He enlisted in the 5th Dragoon Guards before the outbreak of hostilities and went out to France with the first Expeditionary Force, passing unscathed through the memorable battles of Mons, Liege, Neuve Chappelle and Ypres, during which his Battalion suffered terrible losses. Trooper Thornton is 22 years of age. He was educated at Skipton Grammar School and Nelson Secondary School, and prior to joining the Army was learning the business of cotton manufacturing.
Whilst in France he has several times been asked to accept a commission, but has declined, preferring to stay with his old regiment. His younger brother (Pte. Norman Thornton) joined the 2nd Life Guards in November last, and is now at Windsor.
19 April 1918
BARNOLDSWICK
The French Croix de Guerre has been conferred upon Trooper Charles Valentine Thornton, Dragoon Guards, for conspicuous gallantry in the field. He is the eldest son of Mr. Chas. Thornton, solicitor and clerk to the Barnoldswick Urban Council, and has had four birthdays in France.
23 August 1918
Son of a Barnoldswick Solicitor
Trooper Charles Valentine Thornton, Dragoon Guards, killed in action near Fromerville, on August 14th, was the eldest son of Mr. Charles Thornton, solicitor, and clerk to the Barnoldswick Urban District Council. Joining the Army five years ago, his regiment formed part of the first Expeditionary force, and took part in the earliest battles of the campaign on the Western Front, so that in his short life of 23 years, it may be truthfully said he had gained as intimate a knowledge of the stern realities of war as the majority of his compatriots. That he had, too, played no mean part in the campaign although never previously wounded is proved by the fact that comparatively early in the struggle he was awarded the D.C.M., and a few months since the French Croix de Guerre. His depth in keenly regretted by all who knew him, and universal sympathy is expressed with the bereaved family.
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
19 January 1917
BARNOLDSWICK – MENTIONED IN DESPATCHES
Trooper Chas. Valentine Thornton, eldest son of Mr. Chas. Thornton, solicitor and clerk to the Barnoldswick Council, was amongst those mentioned in the recent despatches from Sir Douglas Haigh for ‘conspicuous gallantry and conduct in the field.’ He enlisted in the 5th Dragoon Guards before the outbreak of hostilities and went to France with the first Expeditionary Force, passing unscratched through the memorable battles of Mons, Liege, Neuve Chapelle, and Ypres, during which his Battalion suffered terrible losses. Trooper Thornton is 22 years of age. He was educated at Skipton Grammar School and Nelson Secondary School, and prior to joining the army was learning the business of cotton manufacturing. Whilst in France he has several times been asked to accept a commission, but has declined, preferring to stay with his old regiment. His younger brother (Pte. Norman Thornton) joined the 2nd Life Guards in November last, and is now at Windsor.
23 August 1918
Barnoldswick Fatalities
Trooper Chas. Valentine Thornton, 5th Dragoon Guards, killed in action near Fremerville, Ang. 14th, was the eldest eon of Mr. Chas. Thornton, solicitor and clerk to the Barnoldswick Urban District Council. Joining the army five years ago, his regiment formed part of the Expeditionary Force, and took part in the earliest battles of the war, so that in his short life of 23 years he had traversed a considerable portion of the Western front and gained as intimate a knowledge of the realities of war as falls to most men. That he had, too, played no mean part in the Campaign, although not seriously wounded, is proved by the fact that two years ago he was awarded the D.C.M„ and a few months since the French Croix de Guerre. His death is deeply regretted by all who knew him, and universal sympathy is expressed with the bereaved family.
Comment on this Soldier Record
You can leave comments on this soldier record. Please note all comments will be manually approved before they appear on the website.
No comments yet.