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This data is related to World War 1
Private

John William Exton

Service number 40495
Military unit 2nd Bn Highland Light Infantry
Address Chesterfield
Date of birth 01 Nov 1884
Date of death 24 Aug 1918 (33 years old)
Place of birth Nottingham
Employment, education or hobbies

He was a bricklayer on the 1911 census

Family history

John William Exton was born on 1st November 1884 at Nottingham, he was baptised on 2nd March 1885 in St Ann's, Nottingham, he was the son of William a bricklayer and Maria Exton née Leverton,of 4 Ford Street St Ann's Well Road Nottingham.

His father William was born in 1856 at Hallaton, Leicestershire, his mother Maria Leverton was born in 1865 at Newthorpe, Nottingham, they weremarried on 22ndOctober 1881 at Nottingham, they had 5 children, sadly 1 died in infancy or early childhood.

In the 1911 census the family were living at 4 Ford Street, St Ann'sWell Road, Nottingham, William 55 yrs is a bricklayer, he isliving with his wife Maria 46 yrs and their children Flornce 24 year alevers machinist, Agnes 18 yrs a blouse machinist andLily 18 yrs a blouse mancinist.

In the same 1911 census we find that John William Exton has left the family home, he is 26 yrssingle and a bricklayer, he isboarding at Bunkers Hill, Elkesley, he is boarding with John Norton 28 yrs a farm labourer.

Military history

Private John William Exton served as William Exton, he enlisted at Chesterfield he served with the 2nd battalion Highland Light Infantry and he was killed on 24 August 1918 and is buried in St. Hilaire Cemetery Extension, Frevent, France (grave ref. M.19).

CWGC - History of St Hilaire Cemetery Extension (extract): 'From its position, Frevent was a place of some importance on the lines of communication during the First World War. The 43rd Casualty Clearing Station was posted there from April to June 1916, part of the Lucknow Casualty Clearing Station in June, the 6th Stationary Hospital from June 1916 to the end of August 1918, and the 3rd Canadian, 19th and 43rd Casualty Clearing Stations in the summer of 1918. The great majority of the burials in the cemetery were carried out from these hospitals. St. Hilaire Cemetery Extension was used from March to August 1918.' (www.cwgc.org)

Extra information

additional research and information Peter Gillings

Photographs