Information about birth

Year of birth:
1897
Place of birth:
Winsford, Cheshire, England, United Kingdom

General information

Last known residence:
19 Chapel Street, Winsford, Cheshire, England, United Kingdom

Army information

Country:
Verenigd Koninkrijk
Force:
British Expeditionary Force
Rank:
Private
Service number:
352494
Enlistment place:
Winsford, Cheshire, England, United Kingdom
Units:
 —  Manchester Regiment, 2/9th Bn.  (Last known unit)

Information about death

Date of death:
09/10/1917
Place of death:
Frezenberg, Zonnebeke, Belgium
Cause of death:
Killed in action (K.I.A.)
Age:
20

Cemetery

Tyne Cot Cemetery
Plot: XLIV
Row: D
Grave: 12

Distinctions and medals 2

Points of interest 4

#1 Place of birth
#2 Last known residence
#3 Enlistment place
#4 Place of death (approximate)

My story

Robert Barton was the son of Ruth and Joseph Barton. He was born around 1897 in Winsford, Cheshire. He enlisted in the British Army and belonged to the 2/9th Battalion Manchester Regiment (198th Brigade, 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division).

Robert was killed on 9 October 1917 during the Battle of Poelcappelle, part of the Battle of Passchendaele. The 2/9th Battalion Manchester had its starting positions near Hamburg and launched an attack towards Haalen and Vienna Cotts. At 5:24 a.m., the battalion followed its own barrage towards its first objective near Heine House. However, the Germans launched one barrage after another and soon counterattacked. This forced the battalion to retreat to Augustus Wood. Further counterattacks were repelled, and the line was held until relief arrived.

Robert died at the age of 20. After the war, his body was found near Frezenberg. He was reburied in Tyne Cot Cemetery, where he found his final resting place.

Sources 6

2/9 Battalion Manchester Regiment. (The National Archives, Kew (TNA), WO 95/3141/7).
https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
Sources used
British Army World War I Medal Rolls Index Cards, 1914-1920 (The National Archives, Kew (TNA), WO 372).
https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
Sources used
Census Returns of England and Wales, 1901 (The National Archives, Kew (TNA), RG13).
https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
Sources used
Census Returns of England and Wales, 1911 (The National Archives, Kew (TNA), RG14).
https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
Sources used
McCarthy, Chris. Passchendaele: The Day by Day Account (Londen: Arms & Armour Press, 1995), p. 121-122.
Sources used
Soldiers’ Effects Records (National Army Museum, Chelsea (NAM) 1901-60; NAM Accession Number: 1991-02-333).
https://www.nam.ac.uk
Sources used

More information 3