These cards have proven to be a great source of information in trailing my families history, but one card stood out as a little different. It was a photo from WW1 showing a simple battlefield cross with the dead soldiers name, rank,number and date of death. But who was he and why did my grandmother have it?
The label on the cross said No 83576 ,Pte H Borton, 51st M G Coy, 21/9/17
A little research revealed that this man was Harry Edward Borton of the machine gun corps.
Checking his service record I found he had first joined the Oxford and Bucks light infantry in December 1915 but was transferred to the machine gun corps in January 1917. On completion of training a posting to the BEF in France followed in April 1917. On the 3rd of July 1917 he was killed in action just two and a half months from arriving in France.
He now lies in grave I. B. 16 Sunken Road Cemetary Fampoux.
The date on the original cross may have referred to the date the cross was raised hence the difference to the date he was KIA.
But what was his connection to my grandmother, a little more research showed him to be her cousins husband, they had lived in Caversham close to my grandmother and Harry worked as a letter press operator in Caversham.
My research revealed who he was,where he lived, his connection to my family, that his widow received his medal, memorial plaque and a widows pension of thirteen shillings and nine pence a week. Not much for a young mans life but a typical example of the time for so many.
Harry Edward Borton 1885 - 1917 R.I.P
So next time you see some old postcards do not think the picture alone is what makes the card of interest, so much history can be gleened from the messages written on the reverse that really bring the past to life.
