Heroes and Rebels in the Family Tree -- The Wooltorton's

 

As published in the Norfolk News, Norfolk, England 31 July 1897

A NORFOLK FAMILY OF

SOLDIERS

 

A RECORD IN MILITARY SERVICE.

 

   The village of Denton in Norfolk, affords an estraordinary example of devotion to the military service, no fewer than five of the sons of Mrs. Nelson Wooltorton being at present in the Army.  The family, comprising eight sons and three daughters, were bred and born in Denton.  They were not born with silver spoons in their mouths.  On the contrary, the widowed mother knew, from bitter experience, the truth of the Irish proverb that even if poverty be no disgrace it is “mighty inconvaniant.” [sp]

The children were educated at the village school.  The late General Carthew, C.B., of Denton Lodge, took great interest in them, and they gladly paid the gallant gentleman a visit when on furlough.  We give below a few particulars, which we believe will be interesting.  Mrs. Nelson Wooltorton is the daughter of Mr. W. Sheldrake, who had a family of sixteen children, and resided for many years in the neighbouring village of Alburgh.  Samuel Wooltorton (son), born March, 1865, enlisted in 1884 in 1st Norfolk Regiment.  He was called off leave in 1885 to go out to Egypt, but his regiment only went as far as Gibraltar.  He returned in 1886 to Aldershot, went to India in 1889, first to Madras (where he stayed two years), then to Burmah (three years), and then to Bengal.  He went through the Chitral Expedition, and was with the 3rd Buffs in Chitral, and now ranks as sergeant.  He has three badges, and is entitled to one of the Chitral medals, which were not ready when the gallant sergeant left India for his furlough.  He holds a medal for gallantry in connection with the Chitral campaign.  His regiment is lying at Allahabad.  As a lad Samuel was nicknamed “Dash.”  He returns to India in September next on the expiration of six months furlough.  Jeremiah Wooltorton enlisted in 1885 in the Royal Artillery, and was promoted to the rank of corporal in 1889.  He has three badges.  It might be added that as a lad he entered Dr. Barnardo’s Home for a short time.  Jeremiah was born in 1867.  Frederick Wooltorton, born 1872, enlisted in 1889 in the Royal Artillery, was promoted in 1892 to the rank of bombardier, and has two badges.  Harry Wooltorton, born 1874, enlisted in 1892 in the Royal Artillery, and holds the badge and ranks as gunner. Charles Woolterton, born 1877, enlisted in 1896 in the Royal Artillery, and ranks as driver, but has not been in the service long enough to be entitled to a G.C. [Good Conduct] badge at the present.  We might mention that a sister of Mrs. Wooltorton married a soldier named William Love, and her son, Charles, enlisted in the 1st Norfolk Regiment 1888, went to India 1890, returned home in 1896, and now belongs to the Army Reserve.

   There is a curious incident that remains to be mentioned in connection with this family history.  Mrs. Sampson (one of the sixteen children of Mr. W. Sheldrake), sister of Mrs. Nelson Wooltorton, died, leaving a family, who had to go into the workhouse.  One son, Thomas, aged about nine years, longed for liberty, and he ran home to Alburgh, a distance of about six miles, across “hedge, ditch, and row” in a nude state, as he was informed that if he took away any clothes belonging to the Guardians he would be prosecuted.  So he decided to leave the clothes for those who appreciated wearing them, and he reached Alburgh in safety.

   A few days ago a photographer, Mr. Ben Clark of Bungay, came over to Denton, and photographed the family, first the mother and five soldiers in uniform, and then the whole family of mother, eight sons, and three daughters

   A Sunday or two ago the five soldiers were to be seen at the village church, Denton, all seated in one row, and during the service there were two children baptized, one the child of the soldiers’ sister (Mrs. Catchpole), the other the child of Mrs. G. Wooltorton.  Sergeant Wooltorton and Gunner Woolterton were godfathers.



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