No.5212, Private, Joseph Arthur HOUGHTON [MiD]
Aged 28
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Born in 1889 in son of Benjamin and Alice HOUGHTON (née REYNOLDS)
1891 census...Aged 2, he was at 4 Peckham Street, Bury St.Edmunds with his father Benjamin HOUGHTON [30] basket maker; his mother Alice [28]; sister Alice B [9]; brother Benjamin J [4] and Isaac HOUGHTON [76] widower grandfather. All were born in Bury St.Edmunds 1901 census...Aged 12, he was at 2 Peckham Street with his uncle Joseph HOWES [43]bricklayer born Ely; aunt Fanny [43] and cousin Joseph [21] bricklayer. His parents were at 4 Peckham Street with his brothers Benjamin [14] grocer's porter; Herbert A [6] and Albert [2]; sisters Annie F [9] and Elizabeth P [10 months]. All were born in Bury St.Edmunds. 1911 census...Aged 22 a bricklayer, he was boarding with his uncle and aunt at 2 Peckham Street. His brother Albert Edward was killed in 28th April 1917 on 7th Aug 1916 see here |
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He enlisted in
War Diary :- Late relieving owing to becoming lost, but relief completed by 3:30 am. The line finally occupied ran from in front of FROST HOUSE through LOW FARM and a point 100 yards W of BECK HOUSE and so to the valley of the STEENBEEK. It was held from right to left by A Coy, 1 platoon B Coy, C and D Coy s. B Coy (less one platoon remained in support in the BLUE LINE. On arrival there were found to be several wounded in LOW FARM and some twenty in SQUARE FARM . The work of evacuating these was immediately begun and was completed by 10am. Recognition is due to the part that the stretcher bearers played in this work as the carry from the two points to BAVARIA HOUSE was in full view of the enemy till the FRENZENBERG RIDGE, which received its usual attention from all calibres, was crossed. Wounded, chiefly of the R INNIS FUS, who had attacked on the previous morning, were being continuously brought in from No Mans Land and these also were taken back immediately after being treated by the Doctor. SQUARE FARM was bombarded throughout the day receiving several direct hits which however had no effect. At 9 pm a patrol went out to reconnoitre BECK HOUSE and found it to be occupied by the enemy with machine guns. At the same time another patrol occupied the house at D.25.a.75.35. At 10 pm the 10/11 HLI arrived to relieve the RANGERS. The move was carried out with much greater success than the previous night and by 3 a. the battalion marched into billets in Vlamertinghe No 3 area. Casualties for the period July 18 to Aug 18 were 21 men killed ,9 missing, 4 officers and 205 other ranks wounded.
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