Barton, William Charles MM

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William was the second son of Martha Barton, born at Ashwell, Hertfordshire on 8 August 1890.  He was a pupil at the Merchant Taylors School in Ashwell.

William enlisted in Bedford on 9 August 1914. He served with the Bedfordshire Regiment in France until 1918 when men of all ranks were transferred to the Hertfordshire Regiment.  He served in the Western European Theatre of War, France and Flanders.  William survived the war.

William was awarded the Military Medal, a Level 3 Gallantry Medal, in 1918 for acts of gallantry. He was also awarded the 1915 Star, the Victory Medal and the British War Medal.

He is commemorated on the St Mary’s Church Ashwell Roll of Honour.

Before enlisting he was a bricklayer’s labour in Ashwell.

William married Phoebe Daniels (nee Muncey) on 24 December 1923.  She had five children from her first marriage.  The 1939 census shows them living in Ashwell, with William a general labourer.

William died on 26 May 1970 at Ashwell and is buried in the St Mary’s Church Ashwell cemetery.

Royston Crow 11 August 1916  Pte William Barton, 25, shell wound in left arm, recovering, was first Ashwell man to join the army.