William's Story.
Birkenhead News 28 September 1918WEST KIRBY M.M. KILLED.
Mrs. Hatton, of 2, Eaton Road, West Kirby, has been notified of the death of her youngest son, Corporal William Hatton M.M., of the West Yorkshire Regt. His honour was gained as recently as August, and in connection with it he received the following from his Brigadier-General :- “Your gallant conduct in the field on August 9th 1918, in continuing the attack with your section after being wounded in the chest had been reported to me, and I have had much pleasure in reading the record of your gallantry.”
The news of her son’s death was conveyed to his widowed mother in a beautiful letter from his chaplain, who wrote that he had died of wounds. He was hit by a piece of shell and died at the field ambulance. He was one of the best of us, both as a man and a Christian. He used to receive the Holy Communion as regularly as possible, and he was a very good N.C.O. His company officers tell me that he was one of the best they had. I hope that in this trouble you have the consolation which our Christian faith gives; for we all know that the dead in Christ are alive, and Christ is alive and cares for them with love greater even than ours. May He give His help both to your son and to you and your family as you may each have need.” His Lieutenant emphasised this in a letter he wrote, saying the young man had received three wounds, and hoping for his speed recovery. But the hope was in vain.
Before enlisting he worked for several years under Mr. Booth at the Nook Farm, later assisting Mr. Mark Creer at his Grange Hill farm. His elder brother was killed in the earlier stages of the war, the only remaining brother being in hospital in France, gassed.
William Hatton’s older brother Private Alfred Hatton, 10th Cheshire Regiment, was killed on the 10th July 1916.
William Hatton’s photograph and newspaper article by Chris Booth