Morton, John
Gunner
No. 38218, 3rd Reserve Brigade, Royal Field Artillery
Died in service on Thursday 24 August 1916 (aged 29)
Buried:
Stevenston (New Street) Cemetery, Ayrshire (Grave E. 29)
Commemorated:
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Stevenston War Memorial
BIOGRAPHY
In the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) Debt of Honour Website it is recorded that Gunner John Morton (No. 38218) was 29 years old, born in Stevenston, Ayrshire, and the husband of Agnes Morton of 47 Castlemount, Bangor, Co Down.
Gunner John Morton (No. 38218) served with the 3rd Reserve Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, and he was admitted to hospital on 26 December 1914 suffering from kidney stones
Gunner John Morton (No. 38218) was 29 when he died in Ayr Asylum on 24 August 1916 from general paralysis and shell shock.
Gunner John Morton (No. 38218) was buried in Stevenston (New Street) Cemetery, Ayrshire and he is commemorated on Stevenston War Memorial.
In Army pension records it is noted that Agnes Morton had two children, John and Agnes, both born out of wedlock:
John Beattie Morton Beattie (born 10 June 1910)
Agnes Morton Beattie (born 18 October 1911)
Their mother’s address was recorded as 45 Townhead Street, Stevenston.
At civil registration their births were registered as follows
John Beattie Morton (born 10 June 1910 at Boglemart Street, Stevenston); parents’ marriage date stated to be 10 October 1909, Glasgow.
Agnes Morton (born 18 October 1911 at Townhead Street, Stevenston); parents’ marriage date stated to be 11 October 1910, Glasgow.
According to civil registration records, John Morton and Agnes Beattie were married on 11 October 1909 at 50 Wellington Street, Glasgow. John Morton, a dynamite worker from 25 Dockhead Street, Saltcoats was a son of John and Agnes Morton (nee Herries, sometimes Heres).
In fact, Agnes Beattie (her maiden name) was at that time still married to Andrew Morrow, and on 1 May 1914 Agnes Morrow (nee Beattie) was convicted of the crime of bigamy in respect of her marriage to John Morton on 11 October 1909.
John Morton and Agnes Beattie were married ‘again’ on 6 April 1914 at 21 Hope Street, Glasgow. John Morton, a dynamite worker from 45 Townhead Street, Stevenston, was a son of John and Agnes Morton (nee Heres)
Gunner John Morton (No. 38218) was born around 1887, but a precise date of birth has not yet been confirmed.