My John Fitton?

[gnorman]

I've just found an army record but dont know if I have my John Fitton.

The record is a transcription from another site and reads;
Private 1416, John Fitton, Manchester Regiment 1/10th Battalion. Died 4th June 1915. Killed in action at Gallipoli

My John was born in Oldham in 1859 to Joseph and Mary Fitton. I know he married Mary Taylor before 1891 and lived at Bristol Street, Oldham in the 1891 Census. Is it possible to clarify if this is my John anyone?

Many thanks, Luke

[groom]

My John was born in Oldham in 1859 to Joseph and Mary Fitton

Is that date correct? If so it would make him 55 at the start of the war?

[gnorman]

Yep, I know it seems old - I only ask as I was told by my grandparents that he died in WWI. I guessed they may have taken people of any age back then, esp as I have another relative who signed up aged 14. Thanks.

[groom]

Some one more knowledgeable may know for certain but I thought it was men between the ages of 18 and 41 who were recruited, unless they were already soldiers. A few underage boys did manage to sign up, but unless he lied about his age I wouldn't have thought a 55 year old would have done so or been fit enough.

Have you checked the CWGC site, there are a few John Fittons on there? 

[groom]

Have you also checked that he was still alive in 1911 (family stories can sometimes get confused) - there are 2 John Fittons born 1859 who died in Oldham in 1907 and 1908?

[CaroleW]

Could it have been his son John who died in WW1?

[rosie17]

Hi all the Army Registers Soldiers Effects for this John Fitton died 4/6/1915
List his mother as next of kin Martha A
Mrs Martha A Chambers

This might be a possible marriage 1916 Oldham Lancashire
Martha A Fitton
Charles Chambers

Rosie

[MaxD]

Soldiers who died in the Great War gives the place of birth of 1416 Pte John Fitton as Royton.  None of the 6 (!) John Fittons in Royton in 1911 were born 1859.

I'd agree with earlier thoughts about the age.  A man serving in 1915 was a volunteer, not conscripted, and a man of 55 was most unlikely to have been accepted.

MaxD

[groom]

Looking at the 1891 census, John and Mary had a son - John J Fitton born 1881, so Carole's suggestion that he was the one killed in WW1 sounds feasible to me.

I think he could be John James Fitton baptised 9th Feb 1881. There are army records of a man who fits this, but as far as I can see he survived the war.