Barton, R J

RONALD JOHN BARTON

Remembered with honour Chatham Naval Memorial:  Panel 3.

He enlisted 9 April 1914 – 12 years service; an errand boy, 5’3½” tall.  He was entitled to the Victory, British War and Star medals, and was lost overboard at sea when H.M.S. Cornwallis was assigned to patrol duties off the west coast of Ireland, where she was based at Clew Bay and Killarney Bay.

There is an article about Ronald in the em>West Herts and Watford Observer dated 16 January 1915.

Son of George Henry and Alice (nee MARTINDALE) BARTON.

His parent’s marriage is proving elusive.  George died 1914 in Watford aged 51, and was buried 23 June in Vicarage Road Cemetery, Watford; Alice died 1917 in Watford aged 43, and was buried 6 January, also in Vicarage Road Cemetery.

Ronald was born 9 April 1896 in Watford.  He attended Beechen Grove Board School, Watford, from 10 January 1905 to 5 March 1909.

On the 1901 Census, aged 4 he lived in Watford, with his parents and three siblings.  On the 1911 Census, aged 14 he still lived in Watford, with his parents and two siblings.