Roll of Honour
Rifleman Ernest Arthur Norton
Service Number: A/445
Regiment: King's Royal Rifle Corps. (8th)
Conflict: World War One
Date of Death: 4th August 1915
Age at Death: 25
Burial/Memorial Location: Menin Gate Memorial, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium
Son of William & Emma Norton, of Stratton Audley Park.
"We regret to announce the death of Rifleman Ernest Arthur Norton, son of Mr W, Norton, of Stratton Audley Park.
The following communication was received by Mr Norton, from a Major in the King’s Royal Rifles, to which regiment deceased was attached: “Rifleman Norton was killed in action in the trenches on Aug. 4th. He was struck in the head by a shell, and died instantaneously. He could have felt no pain. He died a soldier’s death for his country. It may be of some comfort for you to know that he always did his duty well and cheerfully, and was a credit to the regiment. We buried him that night near the trenches, with some of his comrades, and a cross is being put over his grave as soon as possible.”
Rifleman Norton was 25 years old, and was the first to volunteer for service from Stratton Audley and Fringford. He is also the first to be killed from these two villages. Writing two days before he fell, deceased told his mother that he was about to be promoted to the rank of lance-corporal for bravery." Bicester Herald 16/08/1915