Michael Herbert Edmonds Colton

Born Second Quarter 1894 Collingham He was the son of Michael Herbert and Minnie Jane Colton On 1901 Census he is living with his parents and siblings - Dorothy Edmonds and Stanley Edmonds – at Brooklands, Collingham. His father is listed as a solicitor. Attended The Magnus Grammar School, Newark upon Trent On 1911 Census he is living with his parents and siblings - Dorothy Edmonds, Stanley Edmonds and Harold Edmonds – at 71 Harcourt Street, Newark. His father is not shown on the Census, but was still alive as he didn’t die until 20th Dec 1914 but Michael is listed as an auctioneer’s clerk. Michael and Minnie later moved to South Scarle Hall Newark.

Worked in the office of Messrs. Edward Bailey & Son, Kirkgate, Auctioneers. Served as a District Scoutmaster and performed as a baritone singer in local concerts

On 1911 Census he lived at 71 Harcourt Street, Newark.

He joined the Sherwood Rangers some time between February 1913 and February 1914 (1665 joined on 20th February 1913 and 1811 joined on 21st February1914) Served in 'A' Squadron as a Stretcher Bearer. He was Killed at Gallipoli on 22nd August 1915. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Helles Memorial. His younger brother Second Lieutenant Stanley Edmonds Colton, M.C., 1st Bn Northumberland Fusiliers, was killed in action on the 28th March, 1918. Age 19. Sherwood Rangers, August 1915: Landed Suvla Bay during night (17th/18th). Moved to Lala Baba (20th), forward position at Chocolate Hill (21st). Took part in fighting for Scimitar Hill (21st). Relieved (22nd) after heavy casualties and on to Lala Baba.

The Magnus School’s Diary of The Great War - ‘Sunday 22 August 1915: Stretcher bearer Michael Herbert Edmonds Colton, 21, suffered a hero’s death amid blazing gorse in one of the most vicious battles of the Dardanelles campaign in Greece. The eldest son of the late Michael Herbert Colton of South Scarle Hall, Bert, as he was universally known was more genteel than warlike, but a thorough patriot. While attended the Magnus he became one of the first Scouts in the movement founded by Baden Powell. After leaving school, he went into the office of Edward Bailey and Son, Auctioneers, in Kirkgate and spent his recreational time either as District Scoutmaster or as a baritone singer in local concerts. Bert perished when the Yeomanry Division – which had been retrained in an infantry role – was ordered to charge up a target known as Chocolate Hill. In an age before telephone, radio, television or email, his widowed mother Minnie Jane Colton received letters over the next few weeks and months assuring her what a hero he was. Major Harold Thorpe of Coddington wrote from a crowded dug-out with shells flying all around: ‘Your brave son … brought no less than 14 men out of one patch of burning gorse and personally dressed the wounds of 10 of them. Unfortunately he was struck by a shrapnel bullet in the head and fell mortally wounded. I cannot express my admiration of the work done by the stretcher bearers … He has always been in my Squadron and has always been the pattern of what a soldier should be.’ Private Frank Robinson, 22, son of photographer Frank and Clara Robinson of Lombard Street who was also serving with the Yeomanry, wrote to Miss Ivy Lees, also 22, at 41 Portland Street: ‘He died like a hero. His duties as stretcher bearer took him right into the firing and there is no ducking as they have to carry the stretcher. Anyway, he and his chum carried in 34 cases before he was shot in the head. He is the only one hurt among the Newark fellows. We have lost the Colonel and some men killed and a few officers and some men wounded.’ A memorial service was held for Bert in South Scarle Church on Thursday 30 September 1915 immediately after the funeral service of his uncle, Thomas Edward Boot Colton, a land owner, merchant and for 15 years a Notts County Councillor. Private 1715 Colton of ‘A’ Squadron Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry is also remembered on the Helles Memorial’. Article published 11th September 1915 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- “NEWARK SHERWOOD RANGER. “DEATH AFTER HEROIC EFFORTS. “The first casualty reported of a Sherwood Ranger from Newark is to hand, accompanied by a stirring story of the gallant hero's brave deeds on the Gallipoli Peninsula. The deceased soldier is Trooper Michael Herbert Edmunds Colton, 21, the eldest son of the late Mr. M. H. Colton (Messrs. Colton and Franks, solicitors) and Mrs. Colton, 71, Harcourt-street, Newark. “Major Harold Thorpe, the squadron commander, writing to Mrs. Colton. says that her son brought no fewer than 14 men out of the burning gorse and personally dressed the wounds of ten of them before he was killed by a shrapnel bullet. Trooper Colton was a pioneer of the Scout movement in Newark, and was the district scoutmaster under the Commissioner. Captain J. P. Jeffcock, a former adjutant of the Sherwood Rangers.” Above article is courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-198