Description
1914-15 Star with original illuminated Memorial Scroll, 18357 Private John William Sutton, 1st Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment, Killed in Action, 1st Day of the Some, 1st July 1916, where they sustained over 300 casualties.
John William Sutton, born during 1878 in Milford Derbyshire, was the son of Edmond Sutton of Weston Underwood and Hannah Sutton of Horsley Woodhouse.
By the time of the 1911 Census he was a Miner Loader living at Correys Yard in Horsley Woodhouse, he had a Wife, Hannah and 5 Children.
He joined the South Staffordshire Regiment during the war and landed in France on 8th December 1916.
At 7.30 AM on 1st July 1916, the 1st Battalion South Staffords were at Mametz and were part of the massive attack that was launched, it was initially successful and with few casualties, but once they got into the village they encountered a significant force of Germans, which led to heavy casualties as they attempted to take control of Mametz.
Casualties for the day numbered 4 Officers killed, 1 Died of Wounds, 5 Wounded, with 300 other ranks amongst the casualties Dead and Wounded.
Pte Sutton was 38 years old, his body was never identified so he is now commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 7B.
Full details of the day from the War Diary are photographed.
