STURGEON, (Horace) Morton


No.R/1385, Able Seaman , Morton STURGEON
Aged 18


Hawke Battalion, Royal Naval Division , R.N.V.R.
Died of Illness on 6th November 1918


Horace Morton Sturgeon was born on 7th April 1899 (2nd qtr 1899 Thingoe 4a:859), son of Horace and Edith STURGEON (née JOLLY)

His father had married to Edith Jolly, who died in 2nd qtr 1899 just after giving birth to Morton, and his father then married Eva Mary COLEMAN in 4th qtr 1899.

1901 census...Aged 1, he was at The Royal Oak, Rougham with his father Horace STURGEON [31] publican; his step-mother Eva [27] born Rushbrooke; sister Margaret [8]; brothers Harold [7] and Reggie [3]; his aunt Jessie COLEMAN [14] born Rushbrooke. All except his mother and aunt were born in Rougham.

1911 census...Aged 11 he was still at The Royal Oak with his father, stepmother Eva; sister Margaret; brothers Harold (farm labourer) and Reginald (assistant gamekeeper); half sister Evelyn [9].

On the pension card his parents were still at the Royal Oak in Rougham

His brother Reginald died between 21th and 27th March 1918 during the German Spring Offensive see here


He enlisted in Bury St. Edmunds on the 11th May 1917 in Army Reserve.

Transferred to the Royal Naval Division on 11th September 1917, he was 5 feet 9 inches tall, normal chest 35 inches, brown eyes and hair, Church of England, next of kin his father Horace STURGEON of The Royal Oak, Rougham.
Crafted to Hawke battalion and B.E.F on 2nd April 1918, joining them on the 7th, his 18th birthday. On 22nd October he was admitted to 12th Stationary Hospital, St.Pol with boils, but contracted influenza there and on 4th November his family were informed that he was dangerously ill. He died on the 6th. All the Royal Navy records say he was buried 2.5 miles SW of Bapaume, whereas the location of St.Pol Cemetery is 2.5 miles SW of Bethune. The usual Bethune Communal Cemetery Extension was almost full and St.Pol had been opened earlier that year.


Photo CWGC

Morton Sturgeon is buried in St.Pol British Cemetery, St.Pol sur Ternpoise, France 3:C:12

click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details


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