Major H. A. Murton 1897 - 1974

Henry Alfred Murton was born in Newcastle upon Tyne and was the son of Albert and Emily Murton. In 1914 he joined the 16th Service Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers as Private Henry A Murton 16/1039 and served in "D" Company. He arrived in France on 22nd November 1915. He later received a commision and transferred to the Machine Gun Corps as a 2nd Lieutenant.

In 1920 he gained employment with C.A. Parsons & Co. Ltd as Welfare Supervisor with responsibility for recruitment and training of apprentices and for all social and welfare activities connected with the firm. He married Florence Lonsdale Mawson in 1930 and lived at No14 and then No10 Lily Crescent, Jesmond. Mr Murton became editor of the Parsons Journal when it was launched in 1932 a position which he held for over thirty years. At the outbreak of the second world war he was able to draw on his experience in world war one and in 1940 he raised and commanded a company of Home Guards within Parsons Works. He was Chairman of the Works Appeal Committee of the Northumberland and Durham War Needs Fund which, with the help of employers and trade unions of the two counties raised an income of nearly £1000 per week by appeal to workers for regular deductions from wages.

Mr Murton was appointed Personnel Manager to the Company in 1945. He was a Fellow of the Institute of Personnel Management and represented the North East Coast Engineering Employers Association on the Newcastle Upon Tyne and District Local Employment Committee for many years and was appointed Chairman of this committee by the Minister of Labour.

He retired on 31st May 1962 after nearly forty two years service.

If you have any information on H.A. Murton or anyone who served in the Northumberland Home Guard, Newcastle Battalions please contact ph@ccoynblhomeguard.co.uk