Norton, John Frederick

John Frederick Norton
	23 July 1893 – 7 August 1919
	;
Place of birth	Cardigan, Prince Edward Island
Place of death	Winnipeg Manitoba
Place of burial	Elmwood Cemetery, Winnipeg
Allegiance	Canada
Service/branch	Canadian Army
Rank	Corporal

Corporal John Frederick Norton (23 July 1893 - 7 August 1919) was a Canadian soldier who served in the Canadian Signal Corps prior to and during the Great War.

Early Life

John Norton was born to parents James Frederick Norton and Sarah Jane Norton on 23 July 1893 in Cardigan, Prince Edward Island. He is known to have had an older brother Glen Norton.

In his military papers he is listed as having one year's education as a Civil Engineer prior to enlisting in 1914.

Service

John Norton served in the Canadian Militia prior to the Great War. When he attested for service with the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) on 25 September 1914, he stated he had six years experience with the Canadian Signalling Corps. He is known to have served in No. 10 Section, CSC in Winnipeg Manitoba along with his brother Glen and William McMurray.

John Norton was one of the original members of 1st Canadian Divisional Signal Company and proceed overseas to England in October 1914. After proceeding to France in early 1915, he served at the front including throughout the Second Battle of Ypres. He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal^[1] and was Mentioned in Despatches^[2].

He was invalided to England in August 1915. His medical report states that:

He was in wet huts at Salisbury Plain all winter and developed a cough. This improved in the spring but he reported sick on 29th July having had two slight attacks of haemoptysis. He had been slightly gassed on 22nd April and this increased his cough.

He was diagnosed with Pulmonary Tuberculosis and spent months convalescing at Shorncliffe prior to being repatriated to Canada and discharged as being medically unfit for further war service on 31 October 1916.

He died of his disease 7 August 1919 and is buried in Elmwood Cemetery, Winnipeg.

Distinguished Conduct Medal Citation

2nd Corporal Norton was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal on 14 January 1916.^[1] His citation^[3] read:

5612 Second Corporal J. F. Norton, No. 4 Section, 1st Canadian. Divisional Signal Company (Canadian' Engineers, Telegraph Detachment). For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty as a telephone linesman. He set a fine example under heavy shell and rifle fire.