No.18526, Private, Harold Charles NORTON
Aged 22
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Harold Charles Norton was born in Bottisham, (Newmarket Q1-1894 3B:526), son of Leonard and Priscilla Ann NORTON (née WEBB).
1901 census...Aged 7, he was at Lower Farm Cottage, Dullingham with his father Leonard NORTON, horsekeeper, born Bottisham; his mother Priscilla Ann [31] born Westley and sisters Lilly May [8] born Bottisham and Daisy Emily [5] born Carlton. 1911 census...Aged 17, a farm labourer, he was at Heath Road, Swaffham Prior boarding with Walter and ELiza MILLER and their children, and his widower father and a visitor (married) Sarah WEBB. His mother had died in 1903. |
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He enlisted in Newmarket.
On the 20th July, during the Battle of the Somme, the 2nd Battalion, Suffolk Regiment were assembled and deployed in Pont Street, taking part in the renewed attacks on Longueval and Delville Wood. The artillery barrage lifted while it was still dark and the advance began. Again, from Lt Col Murphy's "History of the Suffolk Regiment" :- The two Suffolk companies in the forward line moved in double lines of platoons with a front of 140 yards each. Much bitter fighting followed, which, though indecisive locally, enabled a footing to be gained in High Wood by a division containing another Suffolk battalion - the 4th, and the British line to be linked up thence with Longueval. The casualties in the 2nd battalion were heavy...." In fact 113 were killed and 88 of these have no known grave. The 4th battalion lost 31.
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