John Dutton was born circa 1917 the s/o William Henry & Mary Jane Dutton (nee Povey), both age 23 years, who had married in Lache-cum-Saltney, Chester in 1914. William Henry had been named after his father, William Henry Dutton and Mary Jane Povey’s father was Joseph Povey. Many thanks to “Harkness” of WW2talk. http://ww2talk.com/index.php?threads/john-dutton.72580/
The 1911 census was the first census that the householder wrote out for him or herself, which is why, I think, that William Henry Senior made some mistakes. He must have thought you had to write all the names of the family, whether they were alive or dead or not there on census night, which is a bonus for family historians, more clues. He entered the names of the 2 children that had died, George and Sarah – and written – Dead. George had died in 1898 age 1 year and 2 months, he had been buried on Boxing day. Sarah had died age 2 months and 3 weeks in 1890. Both in Northop. He also entered William Henry Junior’s name, and then crossed him off as he was not there on the 2nd April 1911 when the census was taken, so perhaps he had only just left the area a few days before?
In 1911 the Dutton family were living at 17, Steele Street, Chester in 6 rooms, head of the household was William Henry Dutton, senior, 41 and a Carter, (Contractor) (Sewerage) born Mobberly, Cheshire, he tells us that he had been married for 22 years. His wife Jane, 40, tells us that she had been born in Northop Hall, Flintshire and she had given birth to 6 children, 2 of whom had died. William Henry Junior, 20 was single and a Groom and had been born in Northop, Flintshire, as had his brother, John, 18 and a Carter (Contractor) (Sewerage). Mary Jane Dutton, 15 and single was a servant and she too had been born in Northop. Elizabeth Dutton, 7, was in School and had been born in Chester. There were two Boarders, Herbert Tyson, age 12 and Gertie Tyson*, 3, both in School and both born Northop.
*The family lived by a TYSON family on the 1891 census on Dublin Row.
The reason William Henry Junior’s name, John Dutton’s father, on the 1911 census, had been crossed off was because he was in Ystradfellte, Neath and had been added to the census returns of George Davies, a coal Miner (Hewer) as one of two lodgers. William Henry Dutton, was 21 years old and a Coachman, single and was born in Northop, Flintshire. So it is safe to say he was probably doing some work for his employer, sadly we do not know who in Northop he was working for as a Groom and Coachman.
We see John Dutton on the 1921 census with his family at 17, Steele Street, Chester. Head of the household was John’s Grandfather, William Henry Dutton, age 52 years and 10 months, he was a widower and had been born in Mobberley, Cheshire. He was an Ironworker at Summers Steel Works, Shotton and was “Out of Work.” John’s father, William Henry Dutton was now age 30 years and 7 months old, born in Northop, Flintshire and a Boatman for A. Millington, Boat Proprietors, The Groves, Chester. John’s mother Mary Jane Dutton, a Daughter-in-Law, was now 29 years old and had been born in Rossett, Denbighshire. She was doing “Home Duties.” William Henry Snr’s Grandchildren are listed :- Joseph Charles Povey, age 7 years 4 months, born in Saltney Parish, John Dutton, 4 years 5 months, Constance Mary Jane Dutton 1 year 5 and a half months and Beatrice Joan Dutton, age under one month., the last 3 children had been born in Chester.
We have no sighting of John Povey Dutton in the intervening years, except for his marriage to Mary Mahony at St. Paul’s Church, Hooton in 1938, so if anyone can shed any light on him, I would be very grateful.
We do not know when he enlisted or was called up when war was declared, but he is not on the 1939 Register, which was taken on the 29th September 1939. War had been declared on the 1st September 1939, so he could be already in the Army on that date.
His wife Mary and, I believe, a child is shown on the 1939 Register:-
1939 Register – Dutton Household (2 People)
4 Chemistry Lane,Pentre , Hawarden R.D., Flintshire, Wales
Mary Dutton 26 Sep 1917 Female Housewife Married 89 1
Sorry, this record is officially closed. Check if you can open a closed record.
His parents are also on the Register:-
1939 register – Dutton Household (3 People)
15 Hamilton Avenue,Sandycroft , Hawarden R.D., Flintshire, Wales
William H Dutton 27 Nov 1890 Male Gasman Steel Works Married 195 1
Mary (J) Dutton 04 Jun 1892 Female Housewife Married 195 2
Sorry, this record is officially closed. Check if you can open a closed record.
This gives a little snapshot into the family, but any help would be appreciated.
Here is an excerpt of some information re the Royal Corps of Signals that may help tell what John would have been involved with, but I have no knowledge of his war experiences.
https://www.forces-war-records.co.uk/units/488/royal-corps-of-signals
Unit History: Royal Corps of Signals
Royal Corps of Signals
The Royal Corps of Signals (often simply known as the Royal Signals – abbreviated to R SIGNALS) is one of the combat support arms of the British Army. Signals units are among the first into action, providing the battlefield communications and information systems essential to all operations. Royal Signals units provide the full telecommunications infrastructure for the Army wherever they operate in the world. The Corps has its own engineers, logistics experts and systems operators to run radio and area networks in the field.[1] It is responsible for installing, maintaining and operating all types of telecommunications equipment and information systems, providing command support to commanders and their headquarters, and conducting electronic warfare against enemy communications.
The Royal Signals was created in 1920, after Winston Churchill, Secretary of State for War issued a Royal Warrant declaring that there should be a Corps of Signals within the British Army. The origins date back to 1870.
During the Second World War, the corps had over 150,000 members. After the war, the unit took part in several notable campaigns in Palestine, Malaya and the Korean War.
All members of the corps wear a blue and white tactical recognition flash on the right arm. The cap badge also features Mercury, the winged messenger of the Gods.
John became ill with Pulmonary Tuberculosis, returned home and died on the 14th December 1946, age 29 years, possibly at his home at 4, Chemistry Lane, Pentre, Queensferry, according to his Death Certificate. His death is registered in Hawarden, so it can be assumed that he was at home with loved ones when he died. His burial entry in the Parish Registers states that he was buried on the 18th December 1946.
The inscription on his Commonwealth War Graves Commission gravestone, shows that he was very much loved and a little stone with the inscription “In God’s Care” Mary Dutton, Died 29th March 1987, aged 69 years shows that Mary never remarried. There is also a little Remembrance Cross with a poppy and a Flower Vase with “In Loving Memory” engraved on it, showing that they are both remembered.
