The Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment

Private W Poolton

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Photograph by "Claude Laignel"

Private William POOLTON, G/21562, 1st  Battalion,  Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment, killed in action, Flanders France, 27th September 1918.

Born St Thomas, Birmingham, Warwickshire, son of Joseph & Sarah Poolton, 213 Holliday Street, Ladywood, Birmingham, Warwickshire.

Enlisted Birmingham, Warwickshire, age 17 years & 3 months, height 5ft 3 inches, weight 115lbs, brown eyes, brown hair, scar right ?????.  Formerly town labourer. 

Home, 5th June 1912 to 18th August 1918; BEF, 19th August 1918 to 27th September 1918.

5th June 1912, enlisted, 4th Battalion, (Special Reserve), Royal Warwickshire Regiment, Seervice No.1264; 5th June 1912, drill on enlistment; 12th July 1912, Third Class Certificate of Education; 19th April 1913, Recruits Musketry; 1913 Annual Training, present; 1914 Annual Training, present; 5th August 1914, mobilized; 9th January 1915, Golden Hills, overstaying his pass from Tattoo until 7pm 11th inst, admonished, forfeits 3 days pay; 28th January 1915, Freshwater, improper conduct, smoking on night observations, fined 2 days pay; 20th March 1915 transferred from Royal Warwickshire Regiment to 7072, Army Cyclist Corps; 3rd April 1915, Hounslow, having a light on in his room at 10.55pm, 3 days confined to Barracks; 22nd April 1915, Hounslow, making an improper reply to an NCO, 7 days confined to Barracks; 1st May 1915, Hounslow, talking on Parade at 6.30am, 5 days confined to Barracks; 3rd June 1915 to 10th June 1915, Tidworth Hospital, synovitis knee; 10th December 1915, Lark Hill, failing to report to Hospital at Hounslow from 10th December 1915, remaining absent until admitted to Hospital at Birmingham, 14 days confined to Barracks, and failing to report from Birmingham Hospital on 22nd January 1916 and remaining absent until 8pm on 28th January 1916, forfeits 12 days pay; 6th May 1916, Chiseldon, remaining in bed three quarters of an hours after Reveille, 3 days confined to Barracks; 11th February 1917, Aldershot, absent from Roll Call until 9pm on 12th, admonished, forfeits 2 days pay; 26th April 1917, Colchester, absent from parade, 7 days confined to Barracks; 14th September 1917, Great Bentley, neglect of duty whilst employed orderly room orderly, failing to report for cleaning office, 3 days confined to Barracks; 27th October 1917, Great Bentley, untidy cot on CO's inspection, 2 days confined to Barracks; 6th November 1917, Great Bentley, using obscene language to an NCO, 7 days confined to Barracks; 1st December 1917, Colchester, slovenly conduct in town at about, improperly dressed; 1st December 1917, Great Bentley, breaking out of camp whilst a defaulter, 14 days confined to Barracks; 3rd April 1918, Great Bentley, irregular conduct, communicating with Records Office, reprimanded;

26th June 1918, memo from Captain, Commanding 67th Divisional Cyclist Company - Pte W Poolton is at this time is under my Command is charged with being in possession of various articles ****  ****  of the public and deficient of clothing etc. I have every reason to believe that he is the author of various petty thefts both of private and Company items. He has been in the habit of visiting a woman living at 45 Victor Road, Colchester and who has had a child by him. This he admits, also that a cycle waterproof cape and shaving brush are there. This being the case I think is highly probable that there might be other Government Property there as well and would suggest that the house in mention be searched. If approved could the necessary instructions be issued to the A.P.M. on this to take action. Poolton is at present under close arrest pending **** other charges as well.

28th June 1918, report from George Mead, Detective Sergeant, Colchester Borough Police - I beg to report that on this date I visited 45 Victor Road, the residence of Mrs Rowe and her daughter. I told them I was a Police Officer and had called for government property which had been left there by Private Poulton who frequently visited the house from Gt Bentley. I was handed the mackintosh cape, shoe brush, which the daughter explained had been left there by Poulton. I questioned Mrs Rowe and her daughter closely as to any other property brought to the house by this man and was informed there was none. They also gave me the privilege of searching the house but no further military property could be found.

24th July 1918, Great Bentley, failing to comply with Company Standing Orders, 14 days detention; 19th August 1918, Folkestone, embarked; 19th August 1918, Boulogne, disembarked; 20th August 1918, Etaples, Infantry Base Depot "J"; 20th August 1918, transferred to Royal West Kent Regiment; 20th August 1918, posted 1st Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment; 24th August 1918, joined 1st Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment, In the Field; 27th September 1918, killed in action.

18th October 1918, Mrs Florence Poolton, 1 York Villas, Kew Green, Surrey, claimed to be widow but no documentation completed; 9th November 1918, confirmed by his mother as being a single man.

12th May 1919, date when Separation Allowance of 8/9 a week payable to mother will cease.

15th October 1919, Statement of Relatives - Widow, none; Children, none; Father, none; Mother, Sarah Poolton, 213 Holliday Street, Birmingham; Brothers - Joseph Poolton, age 44, 6/96, William Street, Birmingham; Arthur Poolton, age 43, 234 Holliday Street, Birmingham; George Poolton, age 31, 209 Holliday Street, Birmingham; Edward Poolton, age 26, 213 Holliday Street, Birmingham; Sisters - Mrs Ida Jacquies, age 22, 213 Holliday Street, Birmingham.

Buried at Gouzeaucourt New British Cemetery, VII A. 19., France.