Born: 1895, Bolton Woods
Died: 20 April 1918
Buried: Sever Cemeteryu Extension, Rouen
Address: 439 livingstone Road, Bolton Woods
Parents: Henry Edward and Lily Louisa, nee HOrsley
Spouse:
Siblings: Ernest, Joe, Annie, Elsie
Occupation: Dress goods warehouse
Organisations/clubs:
Military
Rank: Signaller
Medals/awards:
Rolls of Honour: Eccleshill, Park and St Luke’s
Children:
Regiment: West Yorkshire
John Henry Shelton
John Henry Shelton was born in
1895 at Bolton Woods, Bradford,
the eldest of five children of Henry
Edward and Lily Louisa, nee
Horsley.
In the family were living at 417
Livingstone Road.
Henry died in 1904 aged 31 years.
Lily and her five children went to
live at 439 Livingstone Road where
she found work as a charwoman.
In 1911 John Henry at 16 years of
age was working in a dress goods
warehouse. His two brothers were
also working in a warehouse and
even his younger sister Annie at 9
years of age was
working as a part time
worsted spinner.
John enlisted on the 19th
of February 1915 as
Signaller 18/229 in the
10th Battalion of the
West Yorkshire
Regiment (Prince of
Wales Own).
His Battalion landed in
Boulogne on the 14th
July 1915 and took part in the
Somme offensive at the Battle of
Albert 1st July to 13th July 1916,
capturing Fricourt on the 2nd of
July.
John’s Division also
fought during the Arras
offensive at the first
Battle of the Scarpe 9th to
the 14th of April 1917
and the second Battle of
the Scarpe 23rd to the
24th April 1917.
It was during the Lys
offensive 9th to the 29th
of April 1918 that John
was killed in action. He
was 23 years of age.
He is buried at the St Sever
Cemetery Extension in Rouen.
Many hospitals and camps were
stationed on the southern outskirts
of Rouen and a great number of the
dead were taken to the city
cemetery of St Sever where in
September 1916 it was found
necessary to begin an extension
where John is buried.
He left his effects to his widowed
mother Lily who received £6.4.7d
on the 3rd September 1918 and a
War Gratuity of £14.10.0d on the
18th November 1919.
.
Researched and written by Jean
Britteon, to whom many thanks
