Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Charles Henry Orton, a hairdresser, born 1843 in Leicester, and his wife Sarah Orton (nee Page, married in the 4th quarter of 1865 in the Lutterworth, Leicestershire district), born 1847 in Welford, Northamptonshire. Robert was born in the 1st quarter of 1889 in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, his siblings were, Martha Maude, a dressmaker, born 1870, Alfred Ernest, a hairdresser’s apprentice, born 1876 and Ada Mary, a dressmaker’s apprentice, born 1878, the latter three siblings were all born in Atherstone, Warwickshire, in April 1891 the family were residing at Nottingham Road, Melton Mowbray. In March 1901 Robert was residing in the family home at 32, Nottingham Road, Argyle Terrace, Melton Mowbray, together with his father, a hairdresser, his mother and siblings, Alfred, a hairdresser and Ada. In April 1911 Robert was employed as a hairdresser and was residing at 10, Cottesmore Avenue, Melton Mowbray, this being the family home of his brother Thomas Henry Orton, a hairdresser, born 1873 in Atherstone, and his wife, Eleanor May Orton, born 1883 in Cropwell, Nottinghamshire, together with his nephews, Ernest Alfred, born 1905, Reginald Walter, born 1907, Roland, born 1909 and Henry, born 1910, the latter four nephews were all born in Melton Mowbray, also residing in the family home was his elder brother Alfred, a hairdresser. Robert also had an older sibling, John Charles, born 1866 in Atherstone. Robert’s father died in July 1904 aged 62 in Melton Mowbray and his mother died in 1910, aged 63 in Melton Mowbray.
Robert enlisted/attested into the Territorial Force on the 6th April 1908 in Melton Mowbray, and was allotted the service number 330. He gave his place of birth as Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire and age as 19 years 2 months. His marital status was given as unmarried and his trade or calling as hairdresser, presently in the employ of Mr. H. Orton, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire. He gave his present address as 27, Fernie Avenue, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire
He confirmed that he was presently serving with the 1st Volunteer Battalion Leicestershire Regiment.
He gave his next of kin as his mother, Sarah Orton, 27, Fernie Avenue, Melton Mowbray.
During his period of military service, the following events of note occurred: -
Joined. At Melton Mowbray. 6/4/08.
Posted. To 5th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 1/4/08.
Annual Training. At Garendon Camp. 2/8/08 - 9/8/08.
Annual Training. At High Tor Farm. 1/8/09 - 15/8/09.
Annual Training. At Buxton Camp. 31/7/10 - 7/8/10.
Annual Training. At High Tor Farm. 6/8/11 - 13/8/11.
Annual Training. At Aberystwyth Camp. 4/8/12 - 16/8/12.
Promoted. Sergeant. 1/8/13.
Embodied Service commenced. 4 5/8/14.
Embarked. With 5th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. 26/2/15.
Landed Le Havre. 27/2/15.
Killed in action. In the Field. 30/6/15.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 1st Volunteer Bn. Leicestershire Regt. 26/9/07 – 31/3/08. 187 days.
Home Service. 1/4/08 – 27/2/15. 6 years 333 days.
France. 28/2/15 – 30/6/15. 123 days.
Total Service. 7 years 278 days.
He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
In September 1940, as the result of a fire caused by an incendiary bomb at the War Office Record Store in Arnside Street, London, approximately two thirds of 6.5 million soldiers’ documents for the First World War were destroyed. Those records which survived were mostly charred or water damaged and unfit for consultation and became known as the “burnt documents.” As a consequence, the content and condition of the surviving records can range from good to extremely poor. The hand written information is, in some instances barely legible, and the number of pages that should comprise a full record, in some cases are either badly damaged or missing entirely, however where possible the available information has been transcribed so that it may at least offer the reader a little descriptive insight into some, if not all of the events and background information surrounding the period of service.
The War Diary records: 30 Jun-15 - ZILLEBEKE. At 11.00pm enemy shelled No.6 trench with high explosive and universal shells. Several casualties. At 5.00pm “C” Company took over No’s 7 and 8 trench. Each Company found its own supports.
On Friday July 9th 1915, The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – MELTON TERRITORIAL KILLED. We regret to learn that another Melton soldier has lost his life, the victim on this occasion being Sergt. Bert Orton, of the 5th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment. The first intimation which his relative had was through a letter received on Monday morning by a young lady in the town from a Melton Territorial at the front, but the sad news was confirmed the following day, when Mr. H. Orton, hairdresser, Burton Street, received the following communication from Captain G.H.C. Wollaston: - “5th Leicestershire Regiment, British Expeditionary Force. July 2nd 1915. Dear Mr. Orton, - I am extremely sorry to have to write and inform you that your brother, Sergt. Orton, was killed on July 1st. He was in a dug out with Lance Corporal Curtis, and was hit by a splinter from a shell. He died at once, and there was no pain. The same shell wounded Lce. Cpl. Curtis in the head. Sergt. Orton was in my platoon, and I am exceedingly sorry to lose him. He was very popular with the men, and they will miss him very much. You have the consolation that he could not have had a better end than when fighting for his country. He was buried behind the trenches the same night, and a cross will be put over his grave. –Yours truly, G.H.C. Wollaston.” Another letter states that several Melton men were exceedingly fortunate to escape from the effects of the same shell, as some of them were even nearer to it than Sergt. Orton when it burst. Sergt. Orton was the youngest son of the late Mr. C.H. Orton, and was 26 years of age. Prior to the outbreak of the war, he assisted with the hairdressing business of Messrs. Orton Bros., Burton Street. He had been a member of the local Territorial’s about seven years, and attained the rank of Sergeant over two years ago. Deceased was very popular with his associates, and also with the frequenters of the Young Men’s Institute, of which he had been a member since its inception. As a lad he was keen on soldiering, and for some time belonged to the Melton Parish Church Boys’ Brigade, for which he officiated as a bugler. He displayed an active interest in various branches of sport, particularly football, and was a prominent member of the Melton Thursday Half-holiday F.C. Swimming was another favourite pastime, and a few years ago when roller skating was the craze, he displayed much skill in this direction. That he had not lost his enthusiasm for football in the midst of his more serious duties of soldiering is evidenced by the following postcard which was received by Mr. Fred A. Brown, secretary of the Young Men’s Institute from him a few days ago: - “Just a line to let you know that I and the rest of the Melton boys are all right, also that we are having a good time. I am going to ask a favour, as we have a four days’ rest now and then during the time we are in the trenches. We often find the time hang on our hands, and I wonder if you have a football at the Stute you could let us have? We had one, but it is done in. Anything would do. I just thought it might be possible. Hoping this will find you well, I am, yours faithfully, B. Orton.” We understand Mr. Brown and the Institute Committee promptly acceded to his request, and last week sent him a new football by Sergt. Wade, when the latter returned to the front after short leave, but, alas! It was destined never to reach him.
On Saturday 10th July 1915, The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. “LEICESTERSHIRE AND THE WAR.” – MELTON TERRITORIAL KILLED. Sergt. B. Orton (youngest son of the late Mr. C. H. Orton, hairdresser, Melton Mowbray), 5th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, was killed on the 1st inst. The news was conveyed to his brother, Mr. H. Orton, Melton Mowbray, in a letter from Captain G. H. V. Wollaston, who states: “He was in the dug-out with Lance-Corpl. Curtis, and was hit by a splinter from a shell. He died at once, and was in no pain. The same shell wounded Lance-Corporal. Curtis in the head. Sergeant Orton was in my platoon, and I am very sorry to lose him. He was very popular with the men, and they will miss him very much.” Lance-Corporal. Curtis was also a Melton Territorial, and is now in hospital in France.
On Friday June 29th 1917, The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS” – IN MEMORIAM. ORTON.- In ever loving memory of Sergt. (Bert) Orton, of the 1/5th Leics. Regt., who was killed in action on June 30th 1915. He did his bit and did it well.
Of his gallant bearing his comrades tell.
He accomplished his task and then he fell.
For his work was done.
From Lily and Harry and Nell.
On Friday June 28th 1918, The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS.” – IN MEMORIAM. – ORTON. – In loving memory of Sergt. Bert Orton, 1/5th Leicester’s, who was killed in action on June 30th, 1915.
He sleeps beside his comrades.
In a hallowed grave unknown.
But his name is written in words of love.
In the hearts he left at home.
From Lily, Harry and Nell.