5664 Rifleman Frank Hatton of the 2nd Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps died 100 years ago today, on the 11th October 1914.
Surviving papers in WO 363 show that he was a regular soldier who attested at Burnley on the 8th December 1903 when he was 23 years old and working as a groom. He was born in Blackburn and was living in Blackburn at the time of his enlistment. He was recalled from the Army Reserve when Britain went to war in August 1914.
Frank arrived in France on the 28th August 1914 and was reported missing on 11th October 1914. Soldiers Died in The Great War notes that he died of wounds but there is no evidence of this from surviving papers and indeed, doubt as to actually when he died. He was officially recorded as having died on or since the 11th October 1914 and there are a number of letters backwards and forwards to his wife concerning this.
On 29th November 1916, the officer in charge of records at the Rifles Records at Winchester sent HRH Princess Mary's gift tin to Frank's widow, Teresa Hatton, who was then living at 5 Ashton Street, Blackburn. She replied a little later saying, "I shall always keep it in memory of my husband. I only wish that he was here to receive it himself."
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.
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