KIRTON, Joseph

Joseph Kirton was the son of John and Sarah Kirton of 52 New Street, Cradley, and attended Cradley C of E school. He was among the earliest volunteers for the Worcesters and was sent to the 9th (Service) Battalion. They were part of the reinforcements for the Gallipoli expedition and landed on the 6th August 1915. At some point he was seriously affected by dysentery and evacuated to Egypt. On recovery he joined a draft for Mesopotamia, only for the HT Cameronia to be torpedoed on the 15th April 1917 with the loss of 127 officers and men. It is presumed that Private Joseph Kirton died at sea and he is commemorated on the Chatby Memorial in Cairo. He is also commemorated on the Cradley, Halesowen and Cradley school Memorials.