Main CPGW Record
Surname: THORNTON
Forename(s): Rennie
Place of Birth: Nelson, Lancashire
Service No: 241671
Rank: Private
Regiment / Corps / Service: Highland Light Infantry
Battalion / Unit: 1/9th (Glasgow Highland) Battalion
Division: 33rd Division
Age: 26
Date of Death: 1918-03-08
Awards: ---
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: I. A. 34.
CWGC Cemetery: POTIJZE CHATEAU GROUNDS CEMETERY
CWGC Memorial: ---
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial: BARNOLDSWICK, YORKSHIRE
Additional Information:
Rennie Thornton was the son of William Henry and Margaret Jane Thornton, née Smith and brother of Rifleman Henry Thornton (R/12813) (q.v.). Their father was born at Keighley, Yorkshire and mother at Burnley, Lancashire.
1901 Nelson, Lancashire Census: 60, Barkerhouse Road - Rennie Thornton, aged 9 years, born Nelson, son of William H. and Margaret J. Thornton.
1911 Nelson, Lancashire Census: 51, Hendon Road - Rennie Thornton, aged 19 years, born Nelson, son of William Henry and Margaret Jane Thornton.
Rennie was married to Mary Alice Bristo in 1916. Mary married Tom Green in 1924.
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte Rennie Thornton, 241671, H.L.I.
British Army WW1 Medal and Award Rolls: Pte Rennie Thornton, 241671, 1/9th Bn High. L. I.
Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects: Pte Rennie Thornton, 241671, 9th Bn H.L.I. Date and Place of Death: 9.[sic]3.18. [In] Action. France. To whom Authorised/Amount Authorised: Widow - Mary A. £11 16s. 8d.
UK, WW1 Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923: card(s) exist for Rennie.
Rennie is commemorated in the Rolls of Honour at the Scottish National War Memorial, Edinburgh.
A short biography of Rennie 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, Rennie, aged 26 years, Glasgow Hdrs., 14, School Terrace, [Barnoldswick], killed in action.
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Private Rennie THORNTON
Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Highland Light Infantry
Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 33rd Division
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View Craven Herald Articles
View Craven Herald Articles
22 March 1918
KILLED AFTER RETURNING FROM LEAVE – BARNOLDSWICK FAMILY’S SECOND BEREAVEMENT
News of the death under peculiarly and circumstances of Pte. Rennie Thornton (Glasgow Highlanders) was received last week-end. He was the elder son of Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Thornton, 14 School Terrace, Barnoldswick, whose other son (Rifleman Harry Thornton) was killed in France two years ago. Pte. Thornton only returned to France after 14 days’ leave on the 1st March, and had not been more than a week up the line when he met his death. He was 26 years of age and married, his wife residing with her parents at 24 Lower East Avenue. He had spent nine months in France as a stretcher-bearer and had been previously wounded. The sad news was conveyed to the stricken family in a letter from the chaplain, who wrote:– “Your husband was in the line on Thursday night when a shell struck his ‘bivi’ and four out of the five men in it were instantly killed. He suffered no pain, you can be sure of that - and it means not a little that he was spared the terrible suffering so many have. We buried him to-day (Saturday), four miles further back in a quiet cemetery.”
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
22 March 1918
THORNTON – Killed in action in France, Pte. Rennie Thornton, of the Glasgow Highlanders, son of Mr. and Mrs. W.H. Thornton, of 14, School Terrace, Barnoldswick, aged 26.
22 March 1918
CRAVEN AND THE WAR
Killed After Returning From Leave
News of the death under particularly sad circumstances Pte. Rennie Thornton (Glasgow Highlanders) was received last week-end. He was the elder son of Mr. and Mrs. W.H. Thornton, 14, School Terrace, Barnoldswick, whose other son (Rifleman Harry Thornton) was killed in France two years ago. Pte. Thornton only returned to France after 14 days’ leave on the 1st March, and had not been more than a week up the line when he met his death. He was 26 years of age and married, his wife residing with her parents at 24, Lower East Avenue. He had spend nine months in France as a stretcher-bearer, and had been previously wounded. The sad news was conveyed to the stricken family in a letter from the chaplain, who wrote:– “Your husband was in the line on Thursday night when a shell struck his ' bivi,' and four out of the five in it were instantly killed. He suffered no pain, you can be sure of that – and it means not a little that he was spared the terrible suffering so many have. We buried him to-day (Saturday) four miles further back in a quiet cemetery.
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