Oscar Horton was the sixth child of Richard Horton & Martha Elizabeth Stone born May 5th, 1889 at Great Bridge St & christened June 11th, 1889 at St Andrew’s, West Bromwich, Staffs.
In 1891 Oscar was living at 232-234 High St, West Bromwich where his father was a grocer. Oscar had 4 brothers & a sister.
In 1896 Oscar & his brothers Alfred & Sydney started at Christ Church School, West Bromwich. Previously all 3 had attended St Martin's Church of England school, Tipton. Oscar left Christ Church school in December 1901.
In 1901 the family were living at 37 New St, West Bromwich & Oscar was still living at home with 3 brothers & a sister.
Oscar, like his brother Alfred, moved south to Surrey & was boarding with Elizabeth Forward & her family at the time of the 1911 census. They were at 8 Artillery Rd, Guildford, Surrey & Oscar was a mechanical engineer in the motor car industry.
In 1913 Oscar was a witness at the wedding of his brother Alfred to Florence Annie Bunker at Christ Church, West Bromwich.
On September 6th, 1914 Oscar enlisted at Southampton in the Royal Engineers when he gave his address as 39 Alma Rd, Woolston, Hampshire. At the time he gave his occupation as draughtsman. His physical description states that he was 5ft 6¾ins tall & weighed only 125lbs. He had dark brown hair, brown eyes & a fair complexion.
Oscar served as a sapper with the 34th Divisional Signal Company of the Royal Engineers & on July 6th, 1915 he was posted to the Dardanelles, Turkey. Oscar was awarded the Star Medal, the British War Medal & the Victory Medal. During his time abroad Oscar contracted malaria & was discharged in March 1919. He was given a glowing character reference from his commanding officer which stated that he was an ‘excellent draughtsman' & ‘a very reliable & dependable soldier who can be thoroughly trusted to do what he is told & possessing considerable initiative. Would make an NCO'.
A letter from the Ministry of Pensions in May 1919 shows that he was 50% disabled as a result of malaria & was given a weekly pension of 13 shillings & 9 pence, subject to review in 26 weeks. His address on discharge was 15 Oxford Rd, West Bromwich, the home of Oscar's parents.
After the 1st World War Oscar became an estimating engineer. He married Nellie Ferguson Newton on December 21st, 1919 at St Andrew’s, Netherton, Dudley. Witnesses at the wedding were Eustace Davis & Oscar’s sister, Margaret Amelia Horton. Nellie was born April 29th, 1887 at Kings Norton, the daughter of Richard & Jane Newton.
The 1939 register shows Oscar & Nellie living at 3 Richmond Rd, Dudley. Oscar was described as a departmental manager in a tube works.
Oscar & Nellie did not have any children.
Oscar died on August 29th, 1961, aged 72, at 3 Richmond Rd, Dudley, the cause of death being lung cancer. Probate was granted on November 24th, 1961 to William Hill, retired woollen merchants cashier. His effects were £4010.18s.
Nellie died on March 11th, 1968, aged 80, at 3 Richmond Rd, Dudley & her effects were £9,467.