Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of John Sutton, a shoe trade riveter, born in the January quarter of 1860 in Leicester (son of John Sutton, 1831 and Elizabeth White, 1833) and his wife Emma Sutton (nee Orton, married in the October quarter of 1883 in the Blaby, Leicestershire district), a grocer, born in the July quarter of 1859 in Blaby, Leicestershire and baptised on the 4th September 1859 in All Saint’s Church, Blaby (daughter of William Orton and Catherine Green). Gordon was born in the April quarter of 1895 in Blaby, his siblings were, George Henry, a shoe trade riveter, born in the January quarter of 1885, Horace, born in the April quarter of 1889, Elsie Miriam, born in the July quarter of 1893 and Harold, born in the October quarter of 1896, the latter four siblings were all born in Blaby, and Eveline, born in the January quarter of 1900 in Glen Parva, Leicestershire, in March 1901 the family home was at Saffron Lane, Glen Parva. In April 1911 Gordon was employed as a butcher’s boy and was residing in the family home at 77, Clifford Street, South Wigston, Leicestershire, together with his father, a shoe trade worker, his mother and siblings, George, a shoe trade machinist, Miriam, a shoe trade machinist, Harold a shoe trade worker, Eveline, a schoolgirl and Lily, a schoolgirl, born in the January quarter of 1902 in Glen Parva. Gordon’s younger brother Harold fell in action on the 13th October 1915.
Gordon attested into the Territorial Force to serve 4 years’ Service in the United Kingdom on the 9th February 1914 in Leicester. He gave his place of birth as Blaby, Leicestershire, his age as 20 years and 7 months and his trade or calling as shoe hand, his employer being the Enderby Co-operative Society. His home address was 45, Kirkland Road, South Wigston, Leicestershire. He confirmed that he was unmarried. His medical examination recorded that he was 5-foot 5½ inches in height and he had a chest measurement of between 30½ to 33 inches. His physical development was recorded as satisfactory, and vision as good. He gave his religion as Wesleyan. He was pronounced fit for the Territorial Force on the 9th February 1914 in Leicester. His record of service began when he joined the Depot of the Leicestershire Regiment as a Private, service number 1917 on the 9/2/14. Posted to the 4th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 9/2/14. Embodied service commenced on the 5/8/14. Landed at Le Havre on the 3/3/15. Killed in action on the 2/5/15. A summary of his service records: Home Service, 9/2/14 – 1/3/15, 327 days. British Expeditionary Force, France, 2/3/15 – 2/5/15, 62 days. Total service 389 days. He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British and Victory medals. The following information was provided by Gordon’s sister Eveline Sutton on the 30th April 1919, and was witnessed and signed by J. C. O. Black, J.P. for Leicestershire, South Wigston, Leicester on ARMY FORM W. 5080 (Information on deceased soldier’s family) Father of soldier, John Sutton of 45, Kirkdale Road, South Wigston. Mother of soldier, Emma Sutton of 45, Kirkdale Road, South Wigston. Full blood brothers of soldier, none. Full blood sisters of soldier, Elsie M. Sutton, age 25, Eveline Sutton, age 20 and Lily Sutton, age 18, all of 45, Kirkdale Road, South Wigston. Gordon’s surviving service documents are in a poor condition, and much of the finer detail relating to the period of time that he spent in the army, is either illegible or missing, hence the sparse overall description of his military and personal family history.
The War Diary records: 2 May-15 - At 3.15am 2nd Lieutenant K. DALGLIESH wounded severely in left arm and also somewhat in left leg when going out to order E.1 right listening post to withdraw. Brought down to E.3 and fetched in by Medical Officer probably saving his life by prompt and skilled attention. DALGLIESH considered he had been careless in remaining out, but bullet was probably a chance shot. A quiet day. At 6.30pm secret communication that relief to be 3 hours later than arranged and orders issued to observe and report bullets coming over at Battalion Headquarters, NEWPORT dug outs, PICCADILLY and head of (E.) REGENT STREET. Very few except from neighbourhood of last bend in REGENT STREET where large number came over. No apparent attempt being made to fire on special points in rear of fire trenches. The Brigade orderly who brought the secret order re: reliefs came up to Battalion Headquarters in full day light with orderly for 1/5th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT. Spotted? Working party “C” Company to complete VIGO STREET (communication trench between REGENT STREET and PICCADILLY) and usual E.1 party under ROYAL ENGINEERS. At 11.30pm 1/5th LINCOLNSHIRE REGIMENT arrived to relieve. At 11.45pm relief commenced. NB. Captain L. CORAH did not come up this tour, very sick in billets. Casualties, 1 other rank severely wounded in VIGO STREET 100 yards North of PICCADILLY died on way to Dressing Station. 1 other rank slightly wounded during relief 400 yards West of F.2., hand. 1 other rank wounded severely in wrist and body. Casualties killed 1917 Private G. SUTTON “C” Company hit at 9.45pm in hand, he died on way to the Dressing Station. Wounded No. 2662 Private H. PETTIFOR “B” Company at 3.30pm left wrist and body, explosive bullet? Wounded No. 2468 Private F. TAYLOR “A” Company, No. 1739 Private E. SHIPLEY “C” Company (remained at duty), No. 1769 Private A TOON “C” Company, No. 2708 Private L. HOPKINSON “D” Company, No. 1656 Private E. GENT “D” Company, No. 2620 Private C. SABIN “C” Company.
On Saturday May 15th 1915, The Leicester Chronicle and Leicestershire Mercury published the following article under the heading. “WIGSTON MAN KILLED.” – The parents of Private Gordon Sutton, of the Wigston Company, 4th Leicester’s, who reside at South Wigston, have received information from Captain Haylock, concerning the death of their son, who was killed in action on 2nd May. Private Sutton was formerly a scholar at the South Wigston School, and played in the school Rugger team. Last season he played with the “A” team, and helped to win the Junior Shield. He occasionally assisted the first team, being a plucky and dashing forward. His brother Harold, also an “A” team player, is with the same battalion. Another brother Horace, formerly served in the 2nd Welsh Regiment. The father, Mr. John Sutton, a well-known local cricketer, also served his King and country, going through the Afghan campaign, with the King’s Liverpool Regiment under the leadership of Lord Roberts.
On Friday June 4th 1915, The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “THE ROLL OF HONOUR.” – LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT CASUALTIES. – The following casualties amongst men of the Fourth Battalion Leicestershire Regiment are reported from the Base under date 11th May: -
KILLED.
Sutton, 1917 Private G.