Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Ellis Hatton, an iron pipe moulder, born 1871 in Culworth, Northamptonshire (son on Joseph Hatton and Mary Anne Varney) and his wife Agnes Jane Hatton (nee Clark, married on the 3rd April 1893 in St. Michael’s Church, Brimington, Derbyshire, the witnesses were Minnie Herbert and Thomas Clark), born 1871 in Hanslope, Buckinghamshire (daughter of Thomas Clarke/Clarke and Mary Ann Herbert). Benjamin Thomas was born in the October quarter of 1893 in Brimington, Derbyshire and was baptised on the 19th January 1894 in St. Michael’s Church, Brimington, his siblings were, Joseph Henry, born on the 8th January 1896 and baptised on the 31st January 1896 in St. Michael’s Church, Brimington and Harry, born on the 15th May 1900 and baptised on the 1st June 1900 in St. Michael’s Church, Brimington, both his siblings were born in Brimington, in March 1901 the family home was at Victoria Street, New Brimington, Chesterfield, Derbyshire. In April 1911 Benjamin was employed as a foundry labourer and was residing in the family home at The Valley, Asfordby, Leicestershire together with his father, a foundry labourer, his mother and siblings Mary Ann, a schoolgirl, born on the 23rd March 1898 and baptised on the 8th April 1898 in St. Michael’s Church, Brimington and Thomas Clark, born on the 25th January 1902 and baptised on the 21st February 1902 in St. Michael’s Church, Brimington, the latter two siblings were both born in Brimington, Harry, a schoolboy, John William, born on the 19th August 1906 and James, born on the 7th January 1910 and baptised on the 3rd July 1910 in All Saint’s Church, Asfordby, the latter two siblings were both born in Asfordby, also residing with the family was Benjamin’s cousin, Harry England, a foundry labourer, born 1884 in Culworth. Latterly the family home was at 3, Websters Yard, Scalford Road, Melton Mowbray, then 33, Snow Hill, Melton Mowbray.
Benjamin also had the following siblings, Rhoda, born in the January quarter of 1904 in Brimington and who died in May 1904 in Brimington aged 10 weeks, and was interred in Brimington Cemetery on the 10th May 1904, Alfred, born in the April quarter of 1905 in Asfordby and who died in December 1905 aged 6 months and was interred on the 21st December 1905 in Asfordby Cemetery, Millicent Agnes, born on the 20th February 1912 in Asfordby and baptised on the 7th April 1912 in All Saint’s Church, Asfordby, Ruth, born in the April quarter of 1914 in Asfordby and who died in September 1914 aged 4 months in Asfordby and was interred on the 7th September 1914 in Asfordby Cemetery, Ellis George, born on the 7th August 1917 in Asfordby and baptised on the 8th September 1917 in All Saint’s Church, Asfordby and who died in December 1917 in Asfordby aged 4 months and was interred in Asfordby Cemetery on the 22nd December 1917
Benjamin enlisted/attested into the Territorial Force on the 8th November 1914 in Melton Mowbray, and was allotted the service number 3210. He gave his place of birth as Brimington, Chesterfield, Derbyshire and age as 20 years 11 months. His marital status was given as unmarried and his trade or calling as labourer, his current employer being the Holwell Iron Company, Asfordby. He gave his present address as The Valley, Asfordby.
His medical examination took place in Melton Mowbray on the 8th November 1914 and recorded that he was 5 feet 8 inches in height, had a chest measurement of between 32 and 34½ inches and his physical development was described as good.
He gave his next of kin as his mother, Mrs. A. Hatton, The Valley, Asfordby, later changed to North Street, Asfordby.
During his period of military service, the following events of note occurred: -
Joined. Depot Leicestershire Regt. Private. 8/11/14.
Posted. 5th Reserve Bn. Leicestershire Regt. 8/11/14.
Embodied service commenced. 8/11/14.
Transferred. From 2/5th Reserve Bn. Leicestershire Regt.16/8/14.
Transferred. To 1/5th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. 16/8/15.
Embarked. To join the British Expeditionary Force in France. 18/8/15.
Disembarked. Rouen. 19/8/15.
Killed in action. In the field. 13/10/15.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 8/11/14 – 17/8/15. 283 days.
British Expeditionary Force, France. 18/8/15 – 13/10/15. 56 days.
Total service. 339 days.
He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Benjamin’s surviving service record amounts to a total of thirteen pages, of which only six pages relate directly to his military service, and these are in poor condition, the hand written information in some cases is barely legible, damaged or missing entirely, however the content does offer at least a little descriptive insight into some of the events that took place during his period of service.
The War Diary records: 13 Oct-15 - At 6.00 am Battalion in place in RESERVE trench. At 12.00 noon bombardment of enemy trench FOSSE 8 commenced. At 1.00 pm smoke and gas turned on until 1.50 pm. At 2.00 pm assault. 5th Battalion LINCOLNSHIRE REGIMENT and 4th Battalion LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT advanced in lines of platoon at 50 paces distance against HOHENZOLLERN REDOUBT. 4th Battalion LINCOLNSHIRE REGIMENT attacked from 2nd line followed by the MONMOUTHSHIRE REGIMENT. REDOUBT captured but lines checked and stopped by Machine Gun fire from MAD POINT, MADAGASCAR, and SOUTH FACE, also heavy rifle fire FOSSE and DUMP TRENCH. First two lines as almost all Company officers became casualties. REDOUBT and half of NORTH FACE was held – LITTLE WILLIE and BIG WILLIE still in enemy hands. At 3.00 pm “B” Company sent up to reinforce centre and left of REDOUBT followed by “A” and part of “D” Companies. Machine Guns in position along original front line now held by “C” Company and parts of other regiments. Considerable progress made along LITTLE WILLIE by grenade party under Lieutenant C. H. F. WOLLASTON. Ground lost again owing to lack of grenades. At 5.30 pm ground now held consisted of front face of REDOUBT and up to LITTLE WILLIE and point 60. Remainder of REDOUBT untenable by either side. 138th Brigade relieved gradually by 139th Brigade. 138th Brigade hold original front line trench. Many of “A” and “B” Companies still remained in the REDOUBT during the whole of next day.
On Friday October 22nd 1915 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL TERRITORIAL’S WOUNDED.” – ASFORDBY LADS KILLED AND WOUNDED. Information has been received this week from Sergt. T. Ellis, that Pte. Ben Hatton, of the 5th Leicester’s, was killed in action on the 13th instant. Prior to enlisting the deceased was employed at the Holwell Iron Co.’s Works, where his father, Mr. E. Hatton, is also engaged. The younger brother of the deceased, Pte. Joseph Hatton, of the 1st Leicester’s, lost his leg as the result of wounds sustained at Armentieres on the 25th October 1914, and immediately on receipt of this news the deceased enlisted. The relatives of Sergt. Harold Dobson, also of the 5th Leicester’s, have received news from a companion that after a charge he was found in a captured German trench seriously wounded, and has been sent to hospital. We also learn that Pte. Hewerdine, of Asfordby, who was in the employ of the Melton Mowbray Gas Co., was seriously injured, receiving two wounds in the chest and four in the arm.
On Friday, October 22nd, 1915 The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. “LEICESTERSHIRE AND THE WAR.” – LOCAL CASUALTIES. – N.C.O’S AND MEN. – Information has been received this week from Sergeant T. Ellis that Pte. BEN HATTON, of the 5th Leicester’s, was killed in action on the 15th instant. Prior to enlisting the deceased was employed at the Holwell Iron Co.’s Works, where his father, Mr. E. Hatton, is also engaged. The younger brother of the deceased, Pte. Joseph Hatton of the 1st Leicester’s lost his leg as a result of wounds sustained at Armentieres on the 25th October, 1914, and immediately on receipt of this news the deceased enlisted.
On Friday November 26th 1915 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – AN ASFORDBY HERO. (A photograph accompanied the article). Of the 5th Leicester’s, son of Mr. R. Hatton, of Asfordby. Private Hatton was killed in the great battle on October 13th, as already reported in our columns. Prior to enlistment he was employed at the Holwell Iron Works.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Photographs of Private B.T. Hatton's medals and death plaque kindly supplied by family member B. Graham, 14/08/2017.