Owen Hufton
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Owen was born in Ilkeston in 1889, the son of Mary Hannah Hufton. His father was probably Owen Sisson. Mary Hannah Hufton was born in Ilkeston in 1873 (J/F/M Basford), the daughter of Samuel, a coal miner, and Sarah Hufton. Mary and her younger sister Eliza Ellen were baptised at Ilkeston Holy Trinity church on 10 October 1878. Mary Hannah and her son Owen (1) were living in Ilkeston with her parents, brother Samuel (25) a coal miner, and sister Eliza (13), in 1891. Mary worked in a hosiery factory. Owen Sisson was born in Ilkeston in 1868 (J/A/S Basford), the son of William, a coal miner, and Elizabeth Sisson. In 1891 Owen, a coal miner, was living on Chapel Street, Ilkeston, with his family. Owen and Mary Hannah were married at Ilkeston Holy Trinity on 29 October 1891 (O/N/D Basford), Owen was 23 years old and Mary 19 years. They had a daughter, Ann/Annie Elizabeth in 1892 (J/A/S Basford) who was baptised at Ilkeston Holy Trinity on 14 July 1892. The family was then living on Mundy Street, Ilkeston. Owen died on 4 December 1899 (O/N/D Basford); the probate record gave his address as Chapel Street, Ilkeston, the same address as that of his father, William, who had died on 18 October 1899. In 1901 the widowed Mary (29) was living at 37 Abbey Street, Ilkeston, with her children Owen [Sisson] (11) and Annie (8). Also in the household were her brother Samuel Hufton (31), his wife Lottie (29) and their children Charles (8) and Sarah (2). Mary Hannah married Daniel Brearley in 1901 (O/N/D Basford) and in 1911 was living at 53 James Street, Hucknall. She and Daniel had six children: Daniel b. 8 February 1902 (J/F/M Basford-Hufton), William birth registered 1904 (J/F/M Basford-Sisson), Thomas b. 1905 (J/A/S Basford-Hufton), Alice birth registered 1907 (J/F/M Basford), Frank b. 1908 (A/M/J Basford) and Cyril b. 1910 (A/M/J Basford). They probably had three more children: Lilian birth registered 1912 (J/F/M Basford-Sisson) and Bernard and Bertha b. 1913 (J/A/S Basford-Sisson). Owen was living at 200 Warsop Vale, Mansfield, in 1911, a boarder in the household of George Lindsey, a coal miner, and his wife Susan and their five children. Owen was still working as a coal miner. Owen's sister Annie, who would have been about 18 years old in 1911, has not yet been traced on the census, but she probably married Harry Shaw in 1916 (O/N/D Basford). Mary Hannah Brearley was still living at 53 James Street, Hucknall, when the CWGC record was compiled. She probably died in 1932 (J/F/M Nottingham).
He died of wounds and was buried in Noeux-les-Mines Communal Cemetery (grave ref. I.N.4). Owen qualified for the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Article published on the 2nd September 1916 in the Beeston Gazette & Echo :- “The second Hucknallite to make the sacrifice of his life on the altar of his country is Private Owen Hufton, of the King's Royal Rifles, who was 25 years of age. His mother — now Mrs. Brearley — resides at 53, James street, Hucknall, and has received the War Office notification and also letters from chums confirming his death. Rifleman Hufton was working at an Ilkeston Colliery when he enlisted and has been out at the Front for some time. According to a letter from a pal, he was wounded late in the night of June 30th, when he volunteered to take up some dangerous work prior to the general attack. He was taken to the dressing station, and it transpires that his wounds were of such a nature that he died on July 1st. Hufton, who was well liked, was buried along with an officer and sergeant at Petit Sands. One of the men who has written to Mrs. Hufton has been injured by the explosion of a bomb.” Above article is courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918. Probate: Sisson William of Chapel-street Ilkeston Derbyshire died 18 October 1899 Probate London 22 November to Thomas Sisson [son] miner and Aaron Tatham cordwainer Effects £430 16s. Probate: Sisson Owen of Chapel-street Ilkeston Derbyshire died 4 December 1899 Probate London to Aaron Tatham cordwainer and James Sisson [brother] miner Effects £65 15s. Registers of Soldiers' Effects and WW1 Pension Ledgers: Owen's mother Mary Hannah Brearley was his sole legatee.
