Description
Queen’s Sudan Medal, 4306 Lance Corporal John Thornton, 1st Bn Northumberland Fusiliers, wounded in action at the Battle of Belmont on 23rd November 1899 during the Boer War.
Officially engraved: “4306 L:CPL J. THORNTON. 1/NORTHd: FUS:”
Having arrived early into the war in South Africa and joining the 9th Brigade, L Cpl Thornton was wounded in action at the Battle of Belmont on 23rd November 1899
A short summary of the battle:
“The 9th Brigade was formed for Lord Methuen's column commanded at first by Colonel Featherstonhaugh, of which the 1st Northumberland Fusiliers formed part. At Belmont, 70 miles south of Kimberley, the Boers were in a defensive position on a kopje to the east. In the plan of attack the 9th brigade was to place itself, on the night of the 22nd, on the west side of Table mountain and advance towards the enemy at daybreak. The Guards brigade suffered the most in their advance on Gun Hill from the north but the attacks combined at the summit to drive the Boers along a line of hills. The regiment, in the fore-front of the brigade's attack, came under a fierce cross-fire from well defended positions. The battle lasted 4 hours but ended with the retreat of the Boers.
The casualties sustained by the Northumberland Fusiliers were 2 officers killed, Capt Eager and Lieut Brine and 12 men. Major Dashwood and Lieut Festing were wounded along with 36 men. Col Featherstonhaugh was wounded and had to hand over command of the brigade to Lieut-Col Charles Money, CO of the 1st Battalion.”
John Thornton was born in Durham circa 1874, first attested for service with the Army on 22nd September 1894.
He saw the following service:
Home, 22nd September 1894 – 14th October 1895
Singapore, 15th October 1895 (Landed 17th November) – 31st December 1896, also some time in Straits Settlements.
Gibraltar, 1st January 1897 – 16th January 1898
Egypt, 17th January 1898 – 2nd October 1898 (This medal for Sudan War ending in Battle of Omdurman)
Crete, 3rd October 1898 – 18th April 1899 (Occupation of Crete)
South Africa, 16th September 1899 – 11th August 1902
Army Reserve, 12th August 1902 – 21st September 1906
Appointed Lance Corporal on 10th August 1895.
Promoted Corporal 2nd January 1899.
19th March 1900, demoted to Private, tried by Regimental Court Martial for drunkenness on duty sentenced to be reduced to the ranks.
29th June 1901, found to have deserted the regiment, later recovered on the same day.
30th October 1901, he was tried for desertion, awaiting trial by District Court Martial for failing to appear at the place of parade etc, he was sentenced to 28 days of imprisonment and hard labour.
