Charles Henry Kirton

Charles enlisted into the army on 7th April 1916 at Retford and at first served with the Sherwood Foresters Regiment and after initial training went to France on 12th September 1916 at some point he was transferred to the 13th Battalion The King's Liverpool Regiment . An article in the Retford Times reads :- Pte. C. H. Kirton, the King’s (Liverpool) Regiment, son of Mr Geo Kirton, builder, Osberton Road, Retford, has not been heard of by his friends for some time. He joined the Army on April 7th 1916, and went to France on September 12th the same year. He is a single man aged 37 years, and prior to joining the colours was employed at Messrs Ashworth’s works Bolham. His sister, Mrs Holdsworth has received the following letter from Lieutenant Ellis:- “In reply to yours of Aug 20th, I am sorry to inform you that your brother, Pte Kirton, has been missing since May 3rd, on which date the battalion was engaged in severe fighting. However, I am glad to be able to tell you that we have no evidence to show that he was even wounded, so there is reason to hope that he may be a prisoner. Should we receive any further information we will at once communicate with you. I sincerely hope things will turn out for the best, as your brother was liked and respected by all ranks.” He was subsequently declared killed in action on 03 May 1917 He has no known grave but is commemorated on the Arras Memorial

Information on Charles Henry Kirton has been provided courtesy of Alan laurie