John Wilkinson Dalton was killed in action on 14 October 1944 in the vicinity of Overloon. He was aged 24 at the time. He was a Guardsman in the 4th Battalion of the Coldstream Guards (Service No. 2661008). He was initially buried a little to the north of the Molenbeek between Overloon and Venray and re-interred on 28 May 1947 in grave IV. C. 6. in the Overloon CWG Cemetery. The inscription on his grave reads: “May the sunshine he missed on life’s highway be found in God’s garden of rest.”

John Wilkinson Dalton was the son of Fred and Clara Dalton of Doncaster.

No photo of John Wilkinson Dalton has yet been found. Should anyone reading this have a photo of him or further information regarding him – or if they are aware of any errors in his biography below can they please contact the Foundation?

Military Career

John Wilkinson Dalton joined the Coldstream Guards in 1940.

The 4th Battalion was formed in October 1940 for the duration of the war. It first became a motorized battalion in 1940. In November 1942 it switched from cars to Churchill tanks. While the 5th and 1st Battalions had entered France in June 1944, shortly after D-Day, the 4th Battalion remained at home until 20 July 1944 when they landed at Juno Beach. In France, they played their part in the battle at Caumont and assisted in the attacks at Vire and Tinchebray. From 15August until 29 September the 4th Battalion had a relatively quiet time while the 1st and 5th Battalions proceeded through Belgium and the Netherlands to take part in Operation Market Garden. It was only after the failure of that operation to take Arnhem in late September that the 4th Battalion was brought more fully into the conflict.

On 29 September they reached Eindhoven and headed towards Nijmegen the following day, crossing the River Maas and arriving in the forests at Mook that night. The initial plan had been for them to support the 8th and 185th Brigades of the 3rd Division in an attack on the Reichswald forest area to the east. However, this was cancelled on 7 October as higher priorities were given to securing the port of Antwerp and in widening the salient along the River Maas by turning south to capture Overloon and Venray. It was with this latter task that the 4th Battalion was to assist the 3rd Division. The country was flooded and heavily wooded making reconnaissance difficult. There was incessant rain and impassable roads. The attack was initially scheduled for 11 October but rain flooded the whole district, so it was delayed until 12 October to allow the ground to dry out to some extent.

The operation began with a heavy artillery barrage at midday on 12 October, after the battalion had spent a drenching night in the woods 2 miles north of Overloon. The Coldstream with 8 brigade were to take Overloon. The Royal Engineers had worked hard to prepare approaches for the tanks through the bogs, dikes and copses which barred their path. At first the advance went briskly. However, they soon encountered minefields and fire from enemy tanks and anti tank guns. Despite the loss of two tanks, the village had fallen by 5pm. However, the enemy still held out in a wood on the right flank so the attack continued the following day. It was still impossible for tanks to approach the wood and three tanks were knocked out during the attack and a third blew up on a minefield as it withdrew.

On 14 October the 2nd Squadron advanced with the 1st Norfolks towards the Molenbeek Canal, the country was more open, but Panthers were lying in wait and two tanks were knocked out before they were located. Lt Page-Wood directed four shots from his six pounder at one of them, but these merely bounced off its armour and a Panther replied with four shots which went straight through the Churchill, fortunately, without touching the crew. A second Panther opened fire on Lt Sgt Gough’s troop, but Lt Sgt Gough refused to withdraw and leave his infantry unprotected and sat doggedly in the open until two of his three tanks had been destroyed – a courageous decision for which he won the Military Medal. An air burst killed the driver of Lt Page-Woods remaining tank, but only at nightfall did the squadron retire. It was on his day that John Wilkinson Dalton died.

John Collier who was a survivor of the Battle of Overloon in the Churchill tank named the Cheetah later stated that he watched the “Caribou” or “Cougar” take a direct hit from a .88 shell. Eric Gilbert and his good friend Johnny (Dolly) Dalton were killed instantly in the explosion that followed. The Churchill tank was knocked out.

Family of Fred Dalton

John Dalton’s father, Fred Dalton, was the son of Wilkinson Dalton and Hannah Woodhouse who had married on 26/4/1881 in Humbleton, near Skirlaugh in Yorkshire. Humbleton lies midway between Hull and the east coast in East Yorkshire. Wilkinson was born in 1857 in Waltham in Lincolnshire and Hannah in Elstronwick in East Yorkshire. Waltham is just south of Grimsby while Elstronwick is close to Humbleton.

It seems that they spent their married life in Waltham in Lincolnshire as all five of their children were born there: George 1882, Robert 1886, Mary Eliza 1890, Harry Edward 1891 and Fred 1894. Sadly, Harry died at Waltham in 1892 aged 1 and Mary Eliza died there in 1893 aged 3.

In both 1891 and 1901 they were living at Barnolby Road, Waltham but were at New Road, Waltham in 1911 and Kirkgate, Waltham in 1921. Wilkinson was working as a Brickyard labourer in 1891 and 1901 and a General Carrier in 1911 and 1921. All three of their surviving children were still at home in 1901. George was a Joiner’s Apprentice and Robert was a Dray Boy on a farm. By 1911 George had left home. Robert was now a Gardener and Fred was a Grocer’s Apprentice. By 1921, all their children had left home. Wilkinson Dalton died in 1926 and Hannah in 1933, both in the Grimsby district in which Waltham sits.

Family of Clara Dalton

John’s mother, Clara Dalton (nee Walker), was the daughter of John Joseph Christopher Walker and Sarah Elizabeth Walker who had married on 26/4/1885 in Doncaster in Yorkshire. John was a hairdresser living at 27 St James Street, Doncaster while Sarah was living at 56 St James Street. Both were born in 1866 in Doncaster. It is thought that they had at least 9 children, all born in Doncaster: Mary Ann 1887, Charles Henry Marsh 1889, John Joseph 1891, Christopher 1893, Lucy 1896, Clara 1898, May 1900, William 1902 and Frank 1904. In 1891 and 1901 they were living at 37,St. James Street, Doncaster. John was still a hairdresser.

John Joseph Chrisopher Walker died on 15/10/1906 in Doncaster aged just 40, leaving Sarah with nine children under 20. At that time they were living at 98 Nelson Street, Doncaster. John was still described as a Barber and Hairdresser.

Sarah was still at that address in 1911 and all nine of her children were still with her. The five oldest children were working – Mary Ann was a dressmaker, Charles was a Riveter to a Boiler Maker, John was a Cow Man, Christopher was an Engine Fitter and Lucy was a Miliner. In 1915 Mary Ann married Charles Savile Barker and Charles married Charlotte Lucy Wilson.

John Joseph Walker was killed in action in France on 20/9/2017. This was probably in the Battle of the Menin Road Ridge in West Flanders. He is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial in Belgium (Panel 82 to 85). He was a Private (Service No. 235356) in the 10th Battalion of the Duke Of Wellington’s (West Riding) Regiment. His mother was living at 140, Cemetery Road, Doncaster at that time.

In 1918 Lucy married Horace Stubbs and Clara married Fred Dalton in 1919.

In 1921, Sarah was still living at 140 Cemetery Road. Only Christopher, May, William and Frank were living permanently at home, though Charles was a visitor. Christopher was still an Engine Fitter, May was a Shop Assistant for Hodgson and Hepworth, William was a Cleaner for the Great Northern Railway and Frank was a Tram Conductor. It is thought that Frank may have died in 1927.

Fred and Clara’s Family

Fred Dalton married Clara Walker on 29/6/1919 in Doncaster. The address of both was given as 140 Cemetery Road. Fred was working as a Grocer at the time.

John Wilkinson Dalton, who was born on 3/3/1920 in Doncaster was their only child.

In 1921 Fred, Clara and John were living at Hannam’s Yard, East Retford, Nottinghamshire. Fred was the Manager of a Grocery and Provisions Store. It was a branch of the Home & Colonial Stores Ltd at 27 Carolgate, Retford. Living with them were Clara’s sister Lucy Stubbs with her husband Horace and child Betty born 1920 in Retford. Horace Stubbs was born in 1896 in Royston, Yorkshire. He was a Coal Miner/Hewer at the New Monkton Colliery Co. Ltd. but was out of work at the time.

It is thought that Fred Dalton died in 1927 aged just 32, leaving Clara with her 7 year old son.

By September 1939, Clara had moved back to Doncaster with her son John and was living with her widowed mother, Sarah Walker, at 140 Cemetery Road. Sarah was described as an invalid. John was working as a Printer’s Apprentice.

The following year John joined the Coldstream Guards and was killed on 14/10/1944 at Overloon.

His grandmother, Sarah Walker, died on 7/3/1942 at 140 Cemetery Road. Her daughter. Lucy Stubbs, administered her estate.

On 30 September 1949 Clara Dalton wrote to the wife of Alfred Thomas Churchlow whom John was buried alongside. She was still living at 140 Cemetery Road, Doncaster at that time. Here is what she wrote:

“Dear Mrs Churchlow,

You will wonder who I am, and I have so often wanted to write to you. My dear son lies next to your dear one in Overloon. Since my friends went to Holland last year and took snaps of their graves I have wanted to send you one and didn’t know how to get your address, but having been to Holland myself, I contacted Miss Debats. She is a lovely girl and keeps your husband’s grave well cared for, and took beautiful blooms on along with me and the girl who has adopted my son’s grave. I stayed with the people who have been so kind as to adopt my dear one’s grave and she and Miss Debats are friends and are coming to England next year. Now if ever you feel you want to go to Holland, please go as you will be made very happy indeed, they are really lovely folk. I expect I am much older than you and I felt I must see where my all is laid. You see, dear, he was my all as I have been a widow 23 years, and he was my only child. We wonder why these things happen to us, but two graves away from yours are three English brothers, so I thought my load was not as heavy as that mothers. I also went to the woods where they were killed. My friends advised me not to go, but I think if my son could give his young life, his mother was not afraid to travel the same ground. I could tell you such a lot if I could talk to you, perhaps someday we may meet, ‘who knows’. I cycled to the cemetery, which is 5 miles from Vierlingsbeck after not being on a bike for 27 years. Now my dear I shall be pleased to hear from you. Please tell me about yourself and your children. I still hear from my son’s Guardsmans friends. We had such grand times when they were at Rufford Abbey. I used to have about 6 every Sunday. They were grand lads. I will send you another snap taken while I was there when I get them developed. Now, I must close and hope you are not too upset. My dear, I am not ashamed to say I often have a good weep. But we have to smile through our tears, haven’t we? So again, I must say goodbye my dear
I remain yours sincerely,
Clara Dalton.”

 Clara Dalton died in 1968 in Doncaster.

From FindMyPast website: Civil and Parish Birth, Marriage and Death Records; England Census and 1939 Register Records; Electoral Rolls; Military Records; British Newspaper Archive
The Coldstream Guards, 1920-1946, by Michael Howard and John Sparrow via Hathitrust
National Army Museum Website: Coldstream Guards
Wikipedia: Coldstream Guards & Battle of Menin Road Ridge
Letter courtesy of Maureen Lewis, Alfred Thomas Churchlow’s daughter

Research Elaine Gathercole