CATTON, William

Not positively identified
"Burnt Docs" have one possible, seen here
enlisted 1902 Essex Regt - Suffolk Regt - R Army Medical Corps - medical discharge in 1916
even year of birth leads to 2 or 3 possibles


3629, Private, William CATTON
Aged ?



No2 Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps
formerly 6437, Suffolk Regiment
Died in ?


Born at 2 Mill Place, Mill Lane, Bury St.Edmunds on 28th January 1883 - 1st qtr 1883 in Bury St.Edmunds 4a:665, son of James Charles and Jane CATTON (née TILLETT).

1891 census...Aged 7, a pauper, he was in the Thingoe Union Workhouse in Bury St.Edmunds. Also there was his brother John CATTON, [9]. Brother Charles James was in Saltash, Cornwall at "Mount Edgecumbe" the Industrial School Ship on the River Tamar..


He enlisted in Colchester on 3rd March 1903, and had requested to serve with his brothers. His service number on attestation form is not clear but seems to be 7238.
He gave his place of birth as Bury St.Edmunds, aged 18 years 11 months, a labourer, serving in 3rd Bn Essex Regt (Militia)(since 10-2-1902) He was 5 feet 5.75 inches tall, weighed 123 lbs, chest 34 to 36 inches. grey eyes, brown hair Church of England.
on 2nd March 1906 on completion of his 3 year engagement he was transferred to the Reserves.
One form has him as No. 3629 , Lance Corporal in 2 Field Ambulance, RAMC, having worked as a labourer for Messrs Dunlop in Coventry and desiring to return there. That was signed 16th October 1916. There is however another slip which gives his date of birth as 24th June 1876. It is quite possible that this paperwork has forms relating to two different men, as is the case at times with the "burnt documents". This second man was discharged in 1916 with epilepsy. There is another form signed on 11th September 1915 where he applies to extend his service in the RAMC until the end of the war. To add to the confusion another form has him as 6437 in Suffolk Infantry and also has 3629 RAMC. He was with the RAMC for period in 1909
As 3629 his service is recorded as 6 months militia, 3 years with the colours, 8 years 6 months Army Reserves and 2 years 3 months with the colours apparently in RAMC being discharged as no longer physically fit for war service on 10th November 1916. He was mobilised at Colchester on 5th August 1914 and posted to 2 Field Ambulance, RAMC.
as 6437 he underwent 8 days training with the RAMC in 1911 and again in 1913. His pension card has him as married. Sadly that is where his "burnt documents" end, leaving too many unanswered questions, the first of which is, when did he die?


He is not on CWGC, or Soldiers Died and details of his death and burial have not yet been discovered.

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