Thank you to Lenka Cathersides for the following research.
James Hiram Hanton was born in the 2nd quarter of 1883 in Old Ford in Middlesex to iron and engine turner Charles James and Hannah (nee Grayston).
At the time of the 1891 Census, the family lived at 10 Great Whip Street, Ipswich, Sussex. Charles was still working as an iron turner and Hannah was looking after their children: Horace, James, Ernest and Daisy. The household further comprised of Charles’ mother in law, the widowed Hannah Grayston. Hannah was working as a cook.
At the time of the 1901 Census, the family lived at 10 Hythe Hill, Colchester, Essex. Charles, was still working as an engine turner and fitter and Hannah was at home. The household further comprised of their children: engineer’s apprentice turners and fitters James and Ernest, Daisy and Violet and the retired Hannah Grayston.
James’ father Charles James Hanton died in the 2nd quarter of 1906 in Colchester.
At the time of the 1911 Census, James was a boarder of his brother Horace at 2 Bumpstead Road, Haverhill, Suffolk. Both brothers were working as fitters. The household further comprised of Horace’s wife Daisy and their children: Horace Charles, Doris, Hilda Hannah and Charles Albert. The accommodation had four rooms.
James enlisted in December 1915 in Bethnal Green, London into the 20th Battalion, the King’s Royal Rifle Corps. He was a Rifleman with regimental number: C/9797. At the time of his enlistment he lived in Dorking. Before joining the Army, James was employed as a fitter at the Gomshall Tannery.
James went out to France in March 1916. He was killed in action on the night of 27th of April 1917 in France.
He is buried at the Feuchy Chapel British Cemetery in France. His grave reference number is: I.C.28.
He received the British War and Victory Medals.
James ‘ mother Hannah received £5, 18s and 4 d on 26th September 1917 and a further £5, 10s on 21st November 1919 in Soldier’s Effects. In 1917 Hannah Hanton lived at 23 Church Street in Dorking.
A GOOD SOLDIER
Rifleman James Hanton, King’s Royal Rifles, who has fallen in action, was the second son of Mrs. Hanton of 23 Church Street, Dorking. He joined the Army in December 1915, and went out to France in March of last year. In civil life, he was employed as fitter at the Gomshall Tannery. Mrs Heaton has received the following letter:- As one who was for many months and until only recently your son’s platoon officer. I wish to express to you my sincerest sympathy in his unfortunate death in action, which occurred on the night of the 27th April. He was one of the remarkable men of the battalion, a man known, respected and liked not only in his unit, but in many others of the Division, and his loss is keenly felt by all who knew him. He always did his work most zealously, courageously and ungrudgingly, and although older than most, and not always enjoying the best health out here, he bore the discomforts of campaigning most manfully. Moreover, he was a really great help to others. I used to regard him as a great help to me. Often and often, on long trying marches and in other trying conditions, in positions of danger and difficulty. I have known him to keep up his comrades’ spirits most wonderfully by his outstanding gift of humour, which seemed never failing, however bad things might seem. Such men are an immense help to their officers as well as to their ‘pals’ and I personally shall greatly miss Rifleman Hanton. I know how useless the mere sympathy of a stranger may seem in such tragic circumstances, but still I am anxious you should realise how sorry I am for you in your loss”. Mrs Hanton has two other sons in the Army, one in the Mechanical Transport in France, and the youngest in the Flying Corps, now in training in Scotland.
James Hiram Hanton Death Notice © Dorking Advertiser findmypast.co.uk
Hanton Family History
James’ father Charles James was born in the 1st quarter of 1854 in Ipswich to iron moulder Robert Hanton, born about 1810 in Sudbury, Suffolk and Mary Hanton, born about 1815 in Hanover, Germany. His mother Hannah was born in the 1st quarter of 1852 in Ipswich to smith James, born about 1822 in Newton, Suffolk and Hannah, born about 1824 in Bedingham, Suffolk. Charles and Hannah married in the 3rd quarter of 1876 in Ipswich.
James Hanton had eight siblings, of whom five are known: Horace James born about 1879, Ernest born about 1886, Daisy born about 1891 and Violet born about 1893, all in Ipswich. Lillie born about 1881 in Colchester.
At the time of the 1881 Census, the family lived in Park Lane, Colchester. Charles was working as an iron turner and Hannah was looking after their children: Horace and Lillie.
| Born | Old Ford, Middlesex | |
| Lived | Dorking, Surrey | |
| Son of | The late Charles James and Hannah Hanton of 23 Church Street, Dorking | |
| Enlisted | Bethnal Green, London | |
| Regiment | 20th Battalion, King’s Royal Rifle Corps | |
| Number | C/9797 | |
| Date of Death | 27th April 1917 | |
| Place of Death | France | |
| Cause of Death | Killed in action | |
| Age | 34 | |
| Cemetery | Feuchy Chapel British Cemetery, Wancourt, France |
