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Pte. Horace John Norton MM.
British Army 11th Btn., D Coy. Royal West Kent Regiment
from:2 Barrow Hill Cottages, Ashford, Kent
(d.20th Sep 1917)
Horace Norton, known as Jack to his family, was born in Ashford in Kent. His father was George Christopher Norton and his mother was Annie Norton. He had older siblings at the time of enlistment, Charles James Norton (32), Alice Elizabeth Page (30), Fredrick George Norton (28) and Albert Edward Norton (26)
He enlisted in the Royal East Kent Mounted Rifles on 5th of June 1915 at Canterbury in Kent. He was transferred to the 11th Battalion Royal West Kent Regiment 11th October 1916 where he was employed as a runner. He was killed on 20th September 1917.
This is a letter sent to the family on Jack's death:
11th Service Battalion, Royal West Kent Regt Nov 12th 1917
Mr F. G Norton, 5 Sydney Street, South Ashford, Kent
Dear Sir, in reply to your letter of the 4th instant, reflecting your brother, No 18472 Pte H J Norton I very much regret to have to confirm the news already received by you by the chaplain of the 14th Hampshire regt. Your brother went into action with his battalion on the 20-09-17 and after the battalion was relieved was reported missing. Some days afterwards his pay book and other effects taken from his body were received from the 14th Hampshire Regt. These have been sent to the base and you will receive them in due course. Please accept our deepest sympathy.
Yours Faithfully
R. O. Russell, Lieut A Adjt, 11th Batt RWKR
Page 2 (the other side of the paper in pencil)
Your Brother came to France with me from the E. K. M. R. he has done some very gallant work. I find the last time he was seen alive by any one of the Battalion was on Sept 22nd when he left Brigade. H. 2 to return to his Company. He must have been killed by shell fire on his way back. I am more than sorry as he was invincible cheerful & brave beyond words you have my deepest sympathy in your loss
John C Beadle L Col, Comd 11th RWKR"
He was also mentioned in a book: The History of the 11th (Lewisham) Battalion, The Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment, written by Captain R O Russell, MC. Prominent other ranks Page 124 excerpt reads: "Other runners who deserved a mention were Ptes. H. J. Norton, H. Packman and P. Taylor. Only those who have done duty as runners can conceive what it means to carry messages continuously to and fro across a shell torn, bullet-swept, wastes between company and companyor back to Battalion or Brigade Headquarters. Sergt. Major Johnson, to whose splendid training we chiefly owe the wonderful efficiency of our runners, used to greet the newcomers to his class with "So you're going to be a runner are you?" "Yes Sir." "Oh! Why? Do you think you want a cushy time?" "I Don't Know, Sir." "Well take it from me, theres one of three things a runner is sure of in this war; do you know what they are?" "No Sir," very meekly. "The most likely is an R.I.P., the next a blighty, and the others a decoration. And another thing you can get into your head is this: a runner can count on getting no rest, he'll find himself on duty all the time!" How many runners discovered the truth in those words."
Others Who displayed Fine Qualities, Page 147 1st 2 paragraphs, excerpt reads: "Those respecting Pte. H. J. Norton are perhaps the fullest. A D Company Runner, quite a boy, it was not long before he found he was the only one left to carry messages, the sole means of communication between his Company and Battalion Headquarters. He made repeated journeys to and fro (and as they had to be done over the top he was in full view of the enemy all the time) keeping going until the end of the tour. When he went back and guided up the incoming unit. Incidentally, one may mention here, Norton had promised to get his C.Q.M.S. a souvenir on the 14th June and he kept his word, bringing back a very fine pair of field glasses. He had joined us at Ribemont with the yeomen and showed exeptional bravery on all occasions, until he was killed in the attack on Tower Hamlets."
