WW1 Casualty: Private 51874 Robert John Anderton - Private 51874 Robert John Anderton
| Unit/Regiment |
2nd Bn, Manchester Regiment |
| Date of Death |
15/03/1918 |
Age at Death |
35 |
Burial/Memorial
& Reference |
Artillery Wood Cemetery
V C 14 |
| CWGC Family Details (if shown) |
Husband of Ellen Anderton, of 6, Florida St., Oldham.
Gravestone Inscription
SAFE WITH JESUS
DEATH IS THE GATE OF LIFE
Next of kin recorded as Mrs E Anderton, 21 Coppice Street, Werneth, Oldham |
| Census Details |
1891 Census -
Thanks to Geoff Berry for finding the Anderton family at 6, Highfield Place, Prescot, in 1891. This firmly establishes the family link with Prescot
1901 Census -
Living at 34 Owen Street, St Helens, the family are shown as "Head Absent", leaving only the children present on the night of the census. They are Robert John Anderton, 18, a factory labourer, Frederick (17), Margaret (13), James (11) and Thomas (9).
1911 Census -
Robert Anderton is by now living in Oldham |
| Birth/Marriage/Death Registrations |
Birth Registered Q4/1882, Prescot, 8b, 693
Marriage to Ellen Smethurst registered Oldham, Q1/1912, 8d, 767 |
| SDGW - Where Born |
Prescot, Lancs |
| Enlisted |
Oldham, Lancs |
| How Died |
Killed In Action |
Theatre of War |
France & Flanders |
| Research Ref. No. |
P005 |
Service DetailsRobert John Anderton was born in Prescot in December 1882, the son of Frederick and Martha Anderton. Frederick was a Grocer in the town. The family appear to have moved from Prescot in the 1890's.
The following summary of the movements of the 2nd battalion in early 1918 is extracted from the Manchester Regiment website at www.themanchesters.org
January 1918
Battalion withdrawn to Listergaux for training, enjoying a belated Christmas day on the 11th January at Auldruicq with dinner and a concert. 23rd January moved to Dirty Bucket camp, 30th moved to Emile Camp in Bosinghe
February 1918
Following the army reorganisation, the battalion was transferred to the 96th brigade, (return of 70 men from the 173rd tunnelling company). Ribbons for the 1914 star presented. The battalion was regularly moved to the front line and suffered casualties. On the 11th of February, withdrawn to brigade reserve at Abri Wood, received 123 men from the 23rd battalion (disbanded in the re-organisation). On the 15th, moved to Houthulst Forest sector, shelled badly causing many casualties. On the 27th, raided the enemy lines at Owl wood with 110 men, seven prisoners taken and 2 machine guns at the cost of 2 Killed in Action and 11 wounded
March 1918
On the 5th at Bergerie Camp, the battalion was presented with divisional cup for most captures and Military Medal ribbons were presented to Sgts Metcalfe and McElroy, Ptes Lyreet, Wood, Roebuck and Jones. On the 21st March the expected German spring offensive (the Kaiserlacht) was launched and cut through the Somme area retaking the ground and causing massive damage to the British army.
Unfortunately, this brief narrative doesn't tell much about the action in which Pte Anderton was killed on the 15th March. His body was recovered and he rests in Artillery Wood Cemetery
Robert Anderton's Medal Index Card, showing entitlement to the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. He has no 'Star' entitlement, suggesting that he did not serve overseas prior to 1916.
Robert Anderton's grave at Artillery Wood Cemetery
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