Pte 16523 John Hilton

• Age: 23
• From: Bolton, Lancs
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 18th Btn
• K.I.A Wednesday 28th June 1916
• Commemorated at: Carnoy Mil Cem
  Panel Ref: O.22

John (Jack) Hilton was born in the third quarter of 1893, the youngest of 6 children born to James Hilton, an ironmonger, born in Ashton under Lyne in 1849, and his wife Emma (née Taylor) who were married in 1883 at Holy Trinity Church, Bolton Le Moors. 

In 1901 the family lived at 66 Folds Road, Bolton. Jack is seven years old and lives with his parents, three siblings and his maternal grandmother. His father James is a 52 year old iron monger born in Ashton under Lyne, whilst his mother is 47 years of age and was born in Bolton. His siblings, all born in Bolton, are shown as; Annie aged 14, James 13, and Arthur aged 12. His grandmother, is Annie Potter an 81 year old widow. 

Jack’s elder brother, James, died in 1910, aged 23 years. 

In 1911, still living at 66 Folds Road, Jack is shown as a 17 year old hardware assistant. He lives with his parents and two siblings. His father is a 62 year old hardware dealer, his mother is 57 years of age. They state that they have been married for 28 years and have had six children, three of whom have died. His elder sister, Annie, aged 24, and their brother Arthur aged 22 are both shown as hardware assistants. Given that their father is shown as a hardware dealer, he presumably employed them. 

On the 02^nd September 1914, Jack Hilton enlisted at St George's Hall in Liverpool, joining the 18th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment. He gave his age as 21 years 70 days and his birthplace as Bolton. His occupation was stated as a clerk and he was described as being 5' 3 and a half inches tall, weighed 117lbs, 34” chest, with a fresh complexion, blue eyes and brown hair. His religion was stated as Church of England and his next of kin as his parents, James and Emma, of 66 Folds Road.

From the 23^rd September 1914 he was billeted at Hooton Park Race Course and remained there until 03^rd December 1914 when they moved into the hutted accommodation at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 18th Battalion alongside the other three Pals battalions left Liverpool via Prescot Station for further training at Belton Park, Grantham. They remained here until September 1915 when they reached Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain. 

He arrived in France on 07^th November 1915 and served as a machine gunner with 7 Company, 18^th Battalion KLR.

He was killed in action on 28^th June 1916, aged 23. 

The Battalion diary records the following for 27th -28th June 1916:

27th Maricourt

Marched to trenches and took over Z. 2 from 2nd Wilts. Continual bombardment of German trenches - Casualties.

28th Bray

Trenches Z.2. taken over by 2nd Wilts and Battn. proceeded to Bray.

It is highly likely that John was killed in the early hours of 28th June as a result of German shelling as a retaliation to the British shelling of their positions. 

His death was reported in the Farnworth Chronicle on Friday 07th July 1916: 

Deaths. 

Hilton.—On June 27th, in action, John (Jack), aged 23 years, youngest son of James and Emma Hilton, 66, Folds Road, — 18th King’s (Liverpool) Regiment. 

Also in the Farnworth Chronicle on Friday 14th July 1916: 

Pte. Jack Hilton, of the 18th Batt. King's Liverpool Regt., was killed during the recent advance. He was 24 years of age, and in peace time managed his father’s ironmongery stall in the Market Hall. His parents reside at 66, Folds Road. 

The Liverpool Daily Post also reported his loss on Monday 24 July 1916: 

King’s (Liverpools) - Chadwick, 27334  G. O. (Seacombe); Charlton, 24977, J. (Liverpool); Mythen, 16388, W. G. (Liverpool); Nimmo, 15271, K. P. (Liverpool); Hilton, 16523, J. (Bolton); Worrall, 29268, T. (Liverpool);  

He now rests at Carnoy Military Cemetery, France.

The cemetery was begun in August 1915, by the 2nd King's Own Scottish Borderers and the 2nd King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, when the village was immediately South of the British front line. It continued in use by troops holding this sector until July 1916, when Field Ambulances came up and a camp was established on the higher ground North of the village. It was closed in March 1917. From March to August 1918, it was in German hands, and German (and a few British) graves were made between the British graves and the entrance, and also in a German Cemetery alongside; but the German graves and the German Cemetery were removed in 1924.

There are now over 850, 1914-18 war casualties commemorated in this site. Of these, nearly 30 are unidentified and special memorials are erected to 17 soldiers and one airman from the United Kingdom, known or believed to be buried among them.

The cemetery covers an area of 4,441 square metres and is enclosed by a red brick wall.  

He was remembered by his family in the Farnworth Chronicle on the first anniversary of his death on Friday 29 June 1917: 

In Memoriam.  

Hilton.—In loving memory of John (Jack), youngest son of Mr and Mrs Hilton, 66, Folds Road, killed in action 27th June, 1916.   

He gave his life for his country.

Jack earned all three medals which, together with his effects, army pay of £3 1s, war gratuity £8 were sent to his father, who still lived at 66 Folds Road with his wife and two children, Annie and Arthur. His effects were described as: a calendar, photo's, 1 Elijah booklet, an envelope and a flask. A pension of 5/- per week was awarded to his mother, later of 143 Clarence Street, Bolton. 

His father died, aged 74, in 1922. 

His mother died, aged 77, in 1932. 

We currently have no further information on John Hilton. If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.