LOUGHTON Andrew Reuben

Appears in the Worcester/Worcestershire Roll of Honour Book for army casualties located in Worcester Cathedral, shown as Canadians.

The birth of Andrew Reuben Loughton is registered in the September Quarter 1869 under the Droitwich Registration District.

1871 Census
Westcroft St., Droitwich
Andrew Loughton, head, age 26, Carpenter, born Droitwich, Worcestershire
Ann Loughton, wife, age 28, Carpenter’s wife, born Droitwich, Worcestershire
George Loughton, son, age 5, Carpenter’s son, born Droitwich, Worcestershire
Anne G. Loughton, daughter, age 3, Carpenter’s daughter, born Droitwich, Worcestershire
Andrew R. Loughton, son, age 2, Carpenter’s son, born Droitwich, Worcestershire
John Thomas Loughton, son, age 1 month, Carpenter’s son, born Droitwich, Worcestershire

Andrew Reuben Loughton enlisted as Private, 2097, in the Border Regiment at Worcester on 18th June 1887 and joined his unit at Carlisle on 24th June 1887. He was born in the Parish of St Nicholas, Droitwich, Worcestershire and at the time of his attestation he stated he was 18 years old and employed as a labourer. Andrew was 5 feet 8¾ inches tall, with grey eyes, brown hair and a fresh complexion. His service record shows that he was appointed Drummer on 18th July 1888 but reverted to duty as a Private for misconduct on 2nd July 1992. He was held in confinement awaiting trial until 16th July 1892 when he was sentence to six calendar months for striking his superior officer. He returned to duty on 16th January 1893. Andrew was sentenced to a further 14 days hard labour after being convicted by a Civil Court for assault on 16th April 1896. He was discharged from the regiment as a Private on 17th June 1899 after 12 years service. During his time in the army he served 1 year 110 days in Malta and 4 years 254 days in the East Indies.

Andrew Loughton, age given as 37, occupation given as Labourer and A.H. Loughton, Carpenter, age 32, sailed from Liverpool to New York on the SS Umbrian on 2nd June 1906.

Andrew Loughton enlisted in the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force on 29th April 1915 at Calgary, Alberta, Canada. On his attestation paper he gave his date of birth as 4th July 1875 in Droitwich, Worcestershire, England, his occupation as a labourer and his next of kin as his father, Andrew Loughton of Droitwich. He had served 12 years with the Border Regiment. Andrew was 5 feet 11 inches tall with blue eyes, brown hair and a fair complexion.

It is not clear from his records the date he sailed for England but on 12th October 1915 he embarked for France. On 25th April 1917 Andrew reported sick and was admitted to the 7th Canadian General Hospital at Etaples where he was diagnosed with bronchopneumonia. He was invalided home on the hospital ship St Denis on 18th May 1917 and admitted to the Lord Derby War Hospital, Warrington, England on 19th May 1917. He remained in the hospital until 11th July 1917 when he was discharged to the Canadian convalescent hospital at Epsom for a further 20 days. He rejoined his unit in on 9th September 1917. On 27th November 1917 Andrew Loughton was posted missing believed killed on 10th November 1917. On 29th April 1918 he was €˜Now reported Killed in Action’ on 10th November 1917.

National Archives of Canada Reference: RG150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 5750 – 38

The Canada War Graves Registers (Circumstances of Casualty) records the following information on Private Andrew Loughton, 446304:
“Previously reported Missing believed Killed now Killed in Action.” Location of unit at time of casualty: Attack North of Passchendaele.

Probate 1918:
Loughton Andrew of 5 Westcroft-street Droitwich Worcestershire private 7th Canadian battalion died 10 November 1917 on active service in France Administration (and Will) Worcester 23 October to Anne Loughton (wife of Andrew Reuben Mortimer Loughton). Effects £106 15s 7d.

Andrew Loughton has no known grave, the photograph available shows his name on the Ypres Menin Gate Memorial.