On March 15th, 2018, the remains of an unknown British soldier killed on a French battlefield in September 1918 will be re-interred. The question that it is hoped will be resolved in the meantime is: Could the remains be those of Sgt Edward Norton, 277640, 7th Battalion Durham Light Infantry, whose widow lived at 22 Pondwicks Road in Luton at the time?

The MOD's Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC) is appealing for relatives of Sgt Norton and another possible soldier to help identify the remains through DNA samples. Louise Dorr, at JCCC, says she knows Edward still does have distant family in the Luton area; the difficulty being finding someone who would be a suitable DNA donor.

Our own research has revealed that Edward Norton married Susan Agnes Bushwell at Christ Church, Luton, on September 14th, 1907. But there is no evidence the couple had children, although Stotfold-born Edward had siblings.

Edward's death was not acknowledged until a year later, with family announcements placed by his widow in The Luton News on October 16th, 1919. An in memoriam notice read: "In ever loving memory of my dear husband, Sgt Edward Norton, 15th [sic] Durham Light Infantry, who was killed in France in September 1918, aged 38 years. Greater love hath no man than this, that he he lay down his life for his friends. They miss him most who loved him best - From his loving wife, 22 Pondwicks Road, Luton."

He was also commemorated in the Book of Life created at Luton Parish Church, and the Luton Roll of Honour with names included on the Luton War Memorial. No image of Sgt Norton has so far been found in Luton newspapers.

Edward is at present commemorated at the Vis-en-Artois Memorial, Pas de Calais, Northern France.

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