South Warwickshire Family History Society War Memorial Transcription Project

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 The Fallen Men of South Warwickshire - World War One

Rifleman 1711 Oscar Henry Valentine Thornton - 1st/16th Battalion London Regiment


Killed in Action 4 Jun 1915 aged 29
 Military History

Theatre

France & Flanders

Action/Battle/Other

Local actions in Ypres

Place of Death

South of Verlonenhoek

 

Medals

1914 Star, British War and Victory Medals

Medal Citation (if app)

~

Enlisted Date/Place

Westminster

 

Commonwealth War Graves Page

Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial

SWFHS War Memorial(s)

Norton Lindsey

Other War Memorial(s)

 

Previous Regiments/Units

The 1st/16th Bn was also known as the Queens Westminster Rifles

Circumstances Leading to Death (Normally from War Diary)

The battalion were in the support trenches south of Verlonenhoek at the points mapped below (Map References 28.I.10.O.4.3 & 28.I.5.D.3.4) when they will hit by a very heavy artillery bombardment which killed 9 and wounded 12 men. Please note that the trench map below is from early 1917 and the red trench lines give a good idea of how far the German spring offensive carried into Allied territory.
valetine thornton map200  ypres menin gate 
 Area Map  Menin Gate
 Personal & Family History

Birth Date & Place

Jan Qtr 1885 Leamington Priors

Baptism Date & Place

24 Mar 1885 Leamington Priors

Parents

Harry & Agnes Amelia Thornton

Wife & Marriage

~

Children

~

 

 

Occupation(s)

  • 1901 Drapers Apprentice
  • 1911 - University Lodging House Keeper

Schools & Colleges

 

Address History

  • 1885 - 105 Warwick Street, Leamington Priors (baptism)
  • 1891 - Vesta, Rugby Road, Milverton
  • 1901 - 34 to 38 Bath Street, Leamington Priors (Drapers Establishment)
  • 1911 - 7 King Edward Street, Oxford

Other Information

There is also a plaque inside Holy Trinity, Norton Lindsey dedicated to Valentine

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