Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of William Victor Barton a commercial traveller, born on the 7th September 1864 in Bermondsey, Surrey and baptised on the 6th November 1864 in Christ Church, Bermondsey (son of William Barton and Annie Waters) and his wife Ann (Annie) Barton (nee Seymour, married on the 8th August 1889 in St. Luke’s Church, Leek), born in the April quarter of 1863 in Leek, Staffordshire (daughter of Charles Seymour and Emma Andrews, 1830). William Seymour was born in the January quarter of 1896 in Leek and baptised on the 24th January 1896 in All Saint’s Church, Leek, his siblings were Victor Barton Seymour, a joiner’s apprentice, born in the April quarter of 1885 and baptised on the 8th May 1885 in St. Luke’s Church, Leek, Lily Seymour, born in the April quarter of 1890 and baptised on the 20th June 1890 in All Saint’s Church, Leek and Nellie Waters, born in the April quarter of 1893 and baptised on the 2nd June 1893 in All Saint’s Church, Leek, the latter three siblings were all born in Leek, in March 1901 the family home was at 29, Bath Street, Leek. In April 1911 William was employed as an office clerk and was residing in the family home at 47, Kirby Road, Leicester, together with his father a commercial traveller in silk, his mother, and siblings, Lily, a drapery assistant and Nellie.
William enlisted/attested into the Territorial Force on the 30th September 1914 in Leicester, and was allotted the service number 3173. He gave his present address as 47, Kirby Road, Leicester.
His medical examination took place in Leicester on the 30th September 1914 and recorded his apparent age as 19 years 9 days, that he was 5 feet 7½ inches in height, had a chest measurement of between 33 and 35½ inches and his physical development was described as good. He gave his religion as Church of England.
He gave his next of kin as his father, William Victor Barton, 47, Kirby Road, Leicester.
During his period of military service, the following events of note occurred: -
Posted. 4th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 30/9/14.
Embodied service commenced. 30/9/14.
Landed. Le Havre, France. 2/3/15.
To Segregation Camp, Bailleul. Influenza. 8/4/15.
Admitted. North Midland Field Ambulance. In the Field. 18/10/15.
Transferred. To 23rd Casualty Clearing Station. In the Field. 24/10/15.
Transferred. To No.4 Stationary Hospital, St. Omer.
Transferred. To No.1 Stationary Hospital, Rouen.
Transferred. Per Hospital Ship St. David to England. 4/11/15.
Admitted. To Wharncliffe War Hospital, Sheffield. 5/11/15.
Died in Wharncliffe War Hospital, Sheffield from septicaemia. 30/12/15.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 30/9/14 – 1/3/15. 153 days.
France. 2/3/15 – 4/11/15. 248 days.
Home Service. 5/11/15 – 30/12/15. 56 days.
Total Service. 1 year 92 days.
He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
William’s surviving service record is in fair condition and offers a reasonably accurate overall description of some of the events that took place during his short period of service.
On Monday January 3rd 1916, The Leicester Mail published the following article under the heading. “SOLDIER’S DEATH IN HOSPITAL.” – Private W. S. Barton, of the 1/4th Leicester’s, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. W. V. Barton, of 47, Kirby Road, Leicester, died on Thursday at the Wharncliffe Hospital, Sheffield. Private Barton who was educated at Alderman Newton’s School, was a youth with a very promising future. Prior to his enlistment in September, 1914, he was employed by Messrs. Woollerton and Wilson, boot and shoe manufacturers, Clyde Street. He went to France with his battalion in February last, and on numerous occasions had rendered conspicuous service as a bomb thrower. He was a member of the bombing party which did much splendid work, leading the charge at the Hohenzollern Redoubt on October 13th, and was amongst those that reached the third line of the enemy’s trenches. Six only of the bombing party returned fit and well, and Private Barton was one of the half-dozen. Sometime afterwards Private Barton became ill from the formation of an abscess, and was sent to hospital in Rouen, where he was obliged to undergo an operation. Later he was sent to England and conveyed to the Wharncliffe Hospital. He appeared to be progressing favourably, but blood poisoning and pleurisy set in, and notwithstanding the fact that he underwent two further operations, death took place as stated. He was 20 years old, his birthday falling a few days previous to his death. Much sympathy is extended to Mr. Barton and family in their bereavement.