Thomas Norton
My great uncle Tom (61117 Private Thomas Norton), served with the Manchester Regiment and was with the 16th battalion at Manchester Hill.
Tom was captured on the afternoon of the 21 March 1918. He was taken to Saint-Quentin and then moved to a POW camp.
The one photo I have of Tom in uniform would have been taken during his training with the 51st training reserve battalion in Prees Heath. In the photo, he is wearing the cap badge of the South Lancashire Regiment (Prince of Wales Volunteers). It was after this training Tom was transferred to the Manchester Regiment.
Tom, like a lot of veterans, came back and went about rebuilding his life. Although proud that he 'did his bit', he never talked in detail about the war.
Tom lived a good life after the war. He was married with no children, and was involved in the church. In 1936, he and his brother set up a Boys Brigade club.
Tom passed away on 28 June 1985, aged 86.
By Stewart Norton, great nephew.