Private Robert Walton
34584 Somerset Light Infantry
Died at sea 6th March 1917, aged 43
Lived at 54 Ardwick Street
Commemorated on the Basra Memorial, Iraq

"My great uncle Robert Walton was born in West Witton, Wensleydale, but he later lived in Burnley with his wife Mary Jane.
He fought in the Chitral Campaign with the East Lancashire Regiment. Robert fought in the Boer War, without injury, in the Lancashire Fusiliers.
After finishing his term of office in 1914, whilst living in Burnley, he re-enlisted and was sent to France early in WW1 where he was wounded in 1915. He was sent to hospital in England and recovered and was then posted to the 1st Battalion of the Somerset Light Infantry, stationed at Plymouth. In 1917 they were sent to India to act as garrison troops. On board ship, Robert developed pneumonia, died on 6 March 1917 and was buried at sea. He is commemorated on the Basra Memorial - Panel 12."

(Information and photograph courtesy of Marilyn Hodkinson)