Harry Sutton

Born: 23 November 1879

Died: 13 November 1916

Rank and Regiment: Rifleman 6749 in the 9th Battalion of the London Regiment (Queen Victoria’s Rifles)

Resting Place: Pont-du-Hem Military Cemetery, La Gorgue, France - Plot II.C.5

Memorials: War Memorial in St. Botolph’s Churchyard, Barford, United Kingdom

Harry was born on 23th November 1879 in Barford to farmers, John and Emma Sutton (nee Edwards). He was baptised in the village on 1st February 1880 and actually given the remarkable name Jeshoshaphat Harry Sutton.

The family moved away from Barford shortly after Harry’s birth; the 1881 Census finds them at Tacolneston where John Sutton was farming 225 acres and employing four men and four boys. John and Emma appear to have been reasonably prosperous – there is a resident domestic servant listed on each of the Censuses.

In 1891, Harry is recorded as living at Green Farm, East Tuddenham with his parents and his siblings: Florence, Mabel, William and Edward. At 11 years old, he was attending school. 10 years later, he was still living at home and but was working as an engine fitter. By 1911, he is the only one of the Sutton children still at home, now described as the steward on his father’s farm.

Very little survives of Harry’s military records, but it appears that he enlisted at Wymondham in the Norfolk Regiment, and was subsequently transferred to the 9th (County of London) Battalion of the London Regiment. At the Battle of Transloy Ridges, Harry’s Regiment was sent in to reinforce the 168th Infantry Brigade and the Queen’s Westminster Rifles. It was likely during this battle that Harry sustained the wounds that would lead to his death on 13th November 1916. He is buried Pont-du-Hem Military Cemetery.

He left an estate of some £224 to his father, John. His effects, amounting to £3 9s 7d, were, curiously, paid out (together with a War Gratuity of £3) to his oldest sister Florence and his oldest surviving brother William.

After the war, the Sutton family remained in Norfolk. John and Emma moved to Mitford and died in 1933 and 1931 respectively. Meanwhile, Florence and William both moved to Norwich and remained there until their deaths in the 1950s and 60s.

Pont-du-Hem Military Cemetery, France