The war memorial was purchased by village contributions. The picture below shows the dedication service which took place in the early 1920’s. If you can add more information please edit this entry or email us with the information and we will enter it for you.
There are two war memorials to the men who lost their lives in World War I. On the west wall of the Church is a brass tablet which gives the names, ranks and regiments of the men. The memorial in the Pinfold bears the names of the W. W. I victims and also the name of a Colton born soldier who lost his life during the last few months of W. W. II.
After the end of W. W. I when the memorial was being planned for the centre of the village various means of fund raising were discussed. However when it was suggested that a dance could be held in the Reading Room the proposal was thought to be unacceptable. It is not difficult to understand why this was so; it was far too emotive a subject with many parents and siblings still mourning a loved one. The memorial tablet in the church was created by Hardman and Powell of Birmingham, the cost borne by the church.
There is no record of the cost of the memorial in the Pinfold or how the funds were raised.
This picture shows the names of those from the parish who fell during the two world wars.
1914-1919
| Abbott Leonard Ernest DOB: 1895 Place: Hugglescote,Leicestershire Died: 6 December 1917 Place: Cambrai Memorial |
| Brain Ernest Albert DOB: February 1898 Place: Colton Died: 29 September 1918 Place: Bellicourt British Cemetery near St Quentin |
| Champ John William E DOB: ? Place: Colton Died: 11 October 1918 Place: Naves Communal Cemetery extension near Cambrai |
| Currin Harold DOB: ? Place: Colton Died: 6 November 1915 Place: Gallipali |
| Deacon John DOB: 18/6/1899 Place: Colton Died: 9 Noember 1918 Place: Camps in Cannock Chase, buried in Colton |
| Devall George Henry DOB: 23/11/1880 Place: Colton Died: 31 January 1918 Place: Aire Communal Cemetery, Pas De Calis |
| Goodall John Edward DOB: ? Place: Armitage Died: 15 April 1918 Place: Lost at sea in Newfoundland convoy |
| Hill Henry George DOB: February 1888 Place: Colton Died: 11 August 1915 Place: Gallipali |
| Key Thomas DOB: December 1887 Place: Colton Died: 9 November 1916 Place: Communal Cemetery extension at Warley-Baillon |
| Middleton James DOB: ? Place: ? Died: 26 November 1916 Place: Commemorated Loos Memorial to the missing |
| Rowley Albert George DOB: August 1894 Place: Colton Died: 25 April 1918 Place: Adelaide Cemetery near Villers-Bretonneux |
| Rowley Thomas DOB: December 1886 Place: Colton Died: 31 August 1916 Place: Unknown |
| Robson Fredrick DOB: ? Place: 1885 Died: 15 March 1917 Place: Adanac Military Cemetery |
| Talbot Joseph DOB: 1877 Place: Abbots Bromley Died: 25 January 1917 Place: Basra memorial(Iraq) |
| Turner L DOB: ? Place: Fog Cottages, Colton Died: 9 January 1918 Place: Kantra Military Cemetery Northern Egypt |
| Wright William John DOB: July 1898 Place: Colton Died: 2 September 1918 Place: Bancourt British Cemetery near Bapaume |
| Yates William Edgar DOB: December 1897 Place: Colton Died: 30 September 1915 Place: No 2 Cemetery la Brique, Ypres |
1939-1945
Further information about each may be available under the People section or by clicking on the name above.
The people of Colton in 2008 are fortunate that due to the researches of Squadron Leader R L Stanley MBE and his daughter Mrs Joy Bratherton they are able to know much about these men and their resting places. The Colton History Society gratefully acknowledges these authors and their book “OF THOSE WHO LIE IN FOREIGN FIELDS …” Published by Anne Loader Publications, 13 Vale Road, Hartford, Northwich, Cheshire, CW8 1PL. ISBN 1-901253-03-1. The web site can be found here Anne Loader Publications.
These men who fought for their King and Country now have no direct descendants in the Parish but the residents of Colton remember them each year by name on Remembrance Sunday.
If you have information about the individuals please make an entry in the people section or email us with information and we will enter it for you.