Newton-le-Willows and Earlestown War Memorial

In Memory of

Signaller John William Fitton M.M.

K/170
24th Battalion Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment)
Killed in Action 1st October 1918 Age 38

SDGW has John listed as a Private, CWGC has him as a Lance-Corporal, the Newton and Earlestown Guardian has him as Observer and the Warrington Guardian has him as Signaller.

John was a native of Runcorn, but had lived in Earlestown about thirteen years, his address being given in the Newton and Earlestown Guardian obituary on November 1st 1918 as 29, Manchester Row, Vulcan. He was married with three young children. He was employed as a machine driller at the Vulcan Foundry. He went throught he Boer War, and war the South African ribbons. He rejoined the colours in September 1914, at Shepherds Bush according to SDGW.

According to the NEG obituary "he was awarded the Military Medal about two years ago (i.e. 1916), for gallant work in the fighting at "Devil's Wood", putting in some good work in his occupation as "signaller", which he then was, along with his officer. Lieut. Stone, for which both were highly praised." It is not certain if this is the same Lieut. Stone who is also on the Earlestown Memorial.

Neither the NEG obituary nor the WG one published on the 2nd November 1918 gives any details of the circumstances in which John was killed. He is buried in Flesquieres Hill British Cemetery in Plot V Row B Grave 30, the village of Flesquieres being captured on 27th September 1918. There are 33 burials from John's regiment in this cemetery, the greatest number for a British regiment. The village of Flesquieres was used for the filming of the BBC TV programme "The Trench".