LIEUT NORMAN NEWTON CATON, M.C., R.F.A. (S.R.), ATTD. 124TH BDE. R.F.A., 37TH DIV. KILLED IN ACTION AT HEBUTERNE, APRIL 21ST 1918. AGED 27. At the School 1905-9 (Judde House). Lieut. N. N. Caton was the elder son of Mr. and Mrs. Erasmus Stanley Caton, formerly of Coney Hill, Beckenham, and now of Barncote, Reigate. Entering the School from Kent House, Eastbourne, in May 1905, he left from the Science Fifth at Easter 1909. After leaving the School he went to Germany to continue his education there and on his return was in Sir George Newnes's publishing business, and subsequently joined his father's publishing firm. He had been in the Cadet Corps here and had joined the H.A.C. in 1911. On the outbreak of war he was immediately called up and sent to the East Coast with his Battery. He was gazetted to a commission in the Special Reserve, R.F.A., dated January 27th 1915, and proceeded to France, where, after serving with the Divisional Ammunition Column, he became attached to the R.F.C. as an Observer and was gazetted a Flying Officer (Observer) February 12th 1916. After flying in France for eight months from October 1915, to June 1916, he returned to the D.A.C. in which he commanded a section till July 3rd 1917, when he was posted to a Battery. On January 1st 1917, he had been promoted Lieutenant (S.R.) and from June 18th to July 3rd he was Acting Captain. He was "mentioned" in Sir Douglas Haig's Despatch dated November 7th 1917, for services between February 26th and September 20th 1917. He was awarded the Military Cross on the following recommendation: - "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty near Hangard on April 4th 1918. Lieut. Caton was forward observation officer. The observation post came under heavy shell fire, which became so intense that he was ordered to withdraw. Owing to the urgency of the situation, however, Lieut. Caton voluntarily returned, although the O.P. was entirely without protection. By his quick and accurate grasp of the situation he enabled the Battery to inflict heavy loss on the enemy. On several occasions throughout the day Lieut. Caton personally carried information through heavy artillery barrages to the Battery." On the night of April 21st 1918, he was instantaneously killed by a shell when out on a reconnaissance at Hebuteme. His Battery Commander wrote : - "Norman was a very fine character, loved by the men and brother officers. He was recommended for the M.C. for his very gallant conduct during a most critical period." And in a subsequent letter: "I never knew a more deserving case." Another officer wrote: - "I met him first when he returned to the Division from the R.F.C. in 1916, and at the end of 1917 I commanded the section of the D.A.C. for which he had done so much good work. I lived with him for some months and had the pleasure of recommending him for the 'mention' which I knew he had earned so well. He was most extraordinarily conscientious in all his work and the men and every one thought no end of him. All the time I worked with him I always felt I had someone I could absolutely rely on, however ticklish and disagreeable a job might be. He had a tremendous sense of duty and to live with was a most charming companion and friend."