Thank you to Lenka Cathersides for the following research.
Charles Stanley Sutton was born in the 2nd quarter of 1899 in Holmwood, Dorking in Surrey to Joseph Sutton and Emily Sutton nee Law.
Charles’ father Joseph Sutton was born about 1859 in Stockport, Cheshire to glass and china dealer Richard Sutton and Elizabeth Sutton.
Charles’ mother Emily Law was born in the 2nd quarter of 1859 in the registration district Norwich in Norfolk to cloth finisher and army pensioner George Law and Zillah Law.
Joseph Sutton and Emily Law married in the 3rd quarter of 1879 in Dewsbury District in Yorkshire.
Charles Stanley Sutton had 11 known siblings: Hubert Leon Sutton, Edward Sutton, Emily Sutton, Mabel Sutton, Richard N. Sutton, Joseph Sutton, John Reginald Sutton, Frederick G. E. Sutton, Patricia M. Sutton, Raymond Sutton and Bernard Sutton.
During the time of the 1891 Census, the family lived at 65 Denmark Road in Lambeth, London. Joseph was working as a commission agent of French produce and Emily was at home. The couple’s children were called Hubert Leon Sutton, Edward Sutton, Emily Sutton, Mabel Sutton, Richard N. Sutton and Joseph Sutton. The family was looked after by servant Susan Ward and had a boarder: hosier assistant Charles Graham.
By 1899 the family moved to Dorking.
At the time of the 1901 Census, the family lived at Burghill Road in Lewisham, St Michael, London. Joseph was working as a grain grange merchant and Emily was at home looking after their children Emily Sutton, Richard N. Sutton, Joseph Sutton, John Reginald Sutton, Frederick G. E. Sutton, Patricia M. Sutton and Charles Stanley Sutton.
On the 12th of April 1903 the family arrived, on vessel SS Lake Manitoba, at the port of St John, New Brunswick in Canada. SS Manitoba sailed from Liverpool in England on the 30th of March 1903. The family was the part of the Barr Colonists. As well as Charles and Emily, the family comprised of their children Edward, Emily, Mabel, Richard N., Joseph, John Reginald, Frederick G. E., Patricia M., Charles Stanley and Raymond.
The Barr Colony, located in the region of present day Lloydminster, was founded as an all English settlement by an immigration agent for the Laurier Government, Reverend Isaac M. Barr in 1903. Nearly 2000 British citizens, most lacking sufficient farming knowledge to survive in Canadian prairie, were attracted by the Reverend’s persuasive tongue. The colonists experienced a rough voyage, long delays at the St John, New Brunswick port in Canada and then an unpleasant railway journey to Saskatoon. Staying in Saskatoon for two weeks in tents and a long wagon trip from Saskatoon to North Battleford persuaded some to turn back. However, most reached the reserve and built their first town called Lloydminster on the Saskatchewan-Alberta border, having first replaced profiteering Reverent Barr for Reverend George Exton Lloyd.
Joseph Sutton and his large family were among those, who stayed in Saskatoon.
The 1906 Canadian Census shows Joseph and Emily together with their children Edward, Mabel, Richard N., Joseph, John Reginald, Frederick G.E., Patricia M., Charles Stanley and Raymond living in Saskatoon. Joseph’s son Hubert Leon together with his wife Emily and their baby son John lived also there.
By 1910, Joseph owned the magnificent Empire Hotel at 2nd Avenue and 20th Street East in Saskatoon. In 1910, the Empire Theatre adjoining the Empire Hotel was constructed as a large opera house and was decorated as such. The theatre was completed by the Regina Architectural Firm of Storey and designed by Van Egmond in an astonishing three months. The grand opening was set on the 29th of December 1910. The theatre was managed by Joseph Sutton junior. At the grand opening members of Saskatoon Amateur Operatic Society performed ‘HMS Pinafore’.
At the time of the 1911 Canadian Census, Joseph was a keeper of the Empire Hotel and adjacent theatre in Saskatoon, employing many staff. The theatre was managed by Joseph’s son Joseph junior. Emily was at home and the remainder of the immediate household comprised of their other children: Hubert Leon, clerk Richard N., Mabel M., Frederick G. E., Charles Stanley, Raymond and baby Bernard.
The Empire Hotel and the Empire Theatre was advertised at the 1911 Saskatoon City Directory. The hotel had the phone number: 231 and the theatre: 608. The logo for the hotel was “A Home From Home”. The hotel advertised spacious rooms and the cost of a room was $2.50 per day.
Charles Stanley Sutton enlisted on the 3rd of October 1914 at sea. He was 18 years and six months old. He became part of the 10th Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Alberta Regiment).He was a private with a regimental number 22185. At the time of his enlistment he lived at Saskatoon.
At the time of his enlistment he claimed not to have a trade, was a member of the Church of England and was against being vaccinated.
Charles Stanley Sutton was over 5ft tall, had a fair complexion, blue eyes and fair hair. He also suffered from acne marks on his back. His nickname was “Buzzy”.
Charles Stanley died of wounds on the 25th of November 1915 in France.
He was buried at the Bailleul Cemetery Extension Nord France, near the Belgium border. His grave reference is: I.E.50.
Charles’ adventurous parents Joseph and Emily later moved from Canada to New Zealand. They lived at 9 Stanley Street, Devonport, Auckland in New Zealand.
| Born | Holmwood, Dorking, Surrey | |
| Son of | Joseph and Emilly (nee Law) Sutton | |
| Regiment | 10th Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Alberta Regiment) | |
| Number | 22185 | |
| Date of Death | 25th November 1915 | |
| Place of Death | France | |
| Cause of Death | Died of Wounds | |
| Age | 20 | |
| Cemetery | Bailleul Cemetery Extension, Nord, France |
For more information on the Sutton family, visit the Sutton’s family website.
