H. Parton

Probably Private Henry Parton, 10869 5th Bn. KSLI.

When he enlisted in the Army, Henry Parton gave his place of birth as Glazeley and his place of residence as Cross Houses. I have not yet managed to trace him at either place.

It is possible that he is the Harry Parton who, in 1901, was living in Chetton as the twelve year-old adopted son of Richard Rudd, Farmer. Harry was said to have been born at Chetton and is probably the Henry Parton, age 22, who in 1911 was living alone in Middleton Priors and working as a stone quarryman (dresser) at the Abdon Clee Stone Quarry. This Henry gave his place of birth as Bridgnorth.

I get the impression of an orphaned or abandoned child who has no clear idea where he came from. It may be significant that no-one appears to have claimed Henry's medals.

Henry served in the 5th Battalion King's Shropshire Light Infantry. He must have volunteered early in the war as he went to France on the 22nd May, 1915. Even his end is mysterious: the records show that he was killed in action on the 14th September, 1915 and yet the battalion war diary for that day just reads 'Quiet'. Henry was buried on the battlefield along with another soldier of the 5th KSLI - so it is possible that He actually died on the 15th May, when two soldiers are recorded as having been killed by shell fire. His body was recovered in 1927, identified by the number on his boots, and is now buried in Sanctuary Wood Cemetery, Ypres, Belgium.

Private Henry Parton, 10869 KSLI, was awarded the Victory and British War Medals and the 1915 Star.