No.14606, Private, Victor George CARLTON
Aged 21
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Victor George Carlton was born in Gazeley in 1897 (Newmarket Q3-1897 3B:500), baptised in Gazeley (All Saints) on 14th November 1897, son of Gabriel and Rachel CARLTON,
(née COCKERTON).
1901 census...Aged 3, he was at the Village, Great Thurlow, with his father Gabriel CARLTON [39] butcher, born Weston Colville; his mother Rachel [34]; sisters Harriet D [6], Elsie Maud [5] and Winifred [9 months] and brother Albert Edward [8]. Winifred was born in Gt Thurlow, but the others were born in Gazeley. 1911 census...Aged 13, he was at Moulton Road, Gazeley with his parents; brother Albert (labourer), and sisters Elsie Maud and Winifred. Sister Harriet was a servant in Ashley. His elder brother, Albert Edward died in France in June 1916 see here |
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He enlisted in Newmarket. The battalion, on 9 May 1918, was transferred to 35th Brigade in 12th Division and absorbed more than 400 men from 7th Suffolk Regiment. An oft repeated anecdote sums up the battalion's spirit:- An incident occurred at the end July 1917, during the offensive at St Julien. C Company had attacked and captured Border House, its objective, beyond the Hanebeek but, at a later stage, the position was outflanked and the survivors of the Company were ordered to fall back. A Runner with a bandaged head brought this message to Battalion Headquarters; 'I received a message by Orderly to retire, but as Capt Jonas, before he was killed, said we were not to retire without written orders from the CO, I am holding Border House. There are only three of us left alive and two of those chaps is wounded. I am holding Border House until I get written orders to retire. (Signed) Private Muffet. 7.30 pm.' On the night of 6th/7th October 1918, the 12th Division relieved the 20th Division (3rd Army), taking over the sector between Oppy and Eleu dit Leauvette. It became apparent that the enemy was in the process of withdrawing from this area, leaving only stubborn outposts. Patrols pushed out and a general advance began through Drocourt, Mericourt and Billy-Montigny (east of Lens), in which the strong Drocourt-Queant Line was occupied by the Division. The battalion had 10 men killed on the 7th October. Victor was originally found at Sh 51B.B.12.a.3.7
Victor was found here photo; Pierre Vandervelden www.inmemories.com click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
