Norman BURTON

18/378, Private. b. 1894, Clayton d. 1st July 1916 (aged 22).

Norman is shown in 1901 census as a child of 7 years and living with his mother Alice on Back Lane, Clayton West, his place of birth is shown as Clayton West. Research into Norman reveals his baptism record which shows Alice as the sole parent, no father is noted, it shows Norman baptised in High Hoyland and that he was born in Clayton West, not Clayton, Bradford.

His mother Anne had another child Harold Burton in 1895. Ann married in 1902 to John Lockwood and went on to have two more children with John, a Walter Lockwood in 1903 a Charles Lockwood in 1908.

The 1911 census finds her first two boys split up with Harold at home with his mother and stepfather and Norma residing at 7 Bradford Road in Shipley, Bradford with John Steel Wilkinson and Elizabeth Anne who was Anne’s sister, Normans Aunt, as he is shown as a nephew living along with son Richard Wilkinson, 19 both working as Wholesale Grocers, and maybe in his Uncles company.

The most likely reason for Norman not being on the Church or Park memorial is that he didn’t live in Clayton, Bradford. His enlisting in Bradford Pals will be because he was living with his uncle in Shipley.

Norman Burton joined the Bradford Pals and like many other died on 1st July 1916. Norman is remembered on Theipval Memorial.

Normans half brother, Harold Burton enlisted with the KOYLI, service number 20544 1st 5th Battalion. Harold died just a few days later on 4th July 1916 and he is also remembered on the Theipval Memorial, on the same plaque.

Walter and Charles survived both wars and died in 1958 and 1986 respectively. Alice lived until she was 71 sand died at Holling House Farm in Clayton West on Oct 21st 1939.

Thanks to the Smith Family Tree on Ancestry.Com