Alfred's Story.
EARLY LIFE
Born Cheadle, Staffordshire. Son of Thomas Barton, of 29 Newton Street, Macclesfield.
WW1 SERVICE
Alfred served in the Army for nine years prior to the start of the war, and was recalled as a reservist, serving in the 2nd Welsh Regiment with service number 8418. He was repatriated due to illness and transferred to other units, finally serving with the King’s Liverpool Regiment. Whilst on leave in Macclesfield in January 1918, Alfred was taken ill; he died in Macclesfield Infirmary on 7 January 1918.
Alfred’s death was reported in the Macclesfield Times on 11 January 1918:
DEATH OF A MONS HERO
Corporal Alfred Barton, Welsh Regt, only son of Mr and Mrs Barton, 29 Newton St, Macclesfield, died in the Macclesfield Infirmary on Monday morning from the effects of septic poisoning.
Corporal Barton was thirty-three years of age and single, and was educated at the Centenary School. He was formerly a member of St George’s Church Lads’ Brigade and in civil life was employed at London Road Station, Manchester. The late Corporal Barton served nine years in the Army prior to the present war, on the outbreak of which he was called up as a reservist. He saw two years and nine months’ service in France and was in the retreat from Mons and the fighting on the Aisne and Marne. The deceased soldier was invalided to England on account of illness contracted in the trenches, and on being discharged from hospital was stationed for some time in Ireland. He recently came home on leave and was seized with illness a week ago last Friday, being taken to the Infirmary the following Wednesday. Mrs Barton was with her son when he passed away. The funeral took place at the Cemetery yesterday (10 January) with military honours.
COMMEMORATION
Corporal Alfred Barton is buried in Macclesfield Cemetery, England, in Grave Ref. Z.18882.
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission holds casualty details for Corporal Alfred Barton, and he is listed on the Imperial War Museum’s Lives of the First World War website.
In Macclesfield, Corporal Alfred Barton is commemorated on the Park Green, Town Hall and St Michael’s Church war memorials.
NOTES
SOURCES
WWI British Army Medal Rolls Index Cards
Commonwealth War Graves Commission website
Lives of the First World War website
Macclesfield Times: 11 January 1918, 23 September 1921 (photo supplement)
Research by Rosie Rowley, Macclesfield.