| Date of birth: | 1879 |
| Place of birth: | Southampton |
| Regiment: | Wiltshire |
| Battalion: | 2nd |
| Rank / Service No: | Private, 31564 |
| Died: | 2nd February 1917, aged 37 years |
| Buried: | Mont Huon Military Cemetery, Le Treport, France (Plot I, Row L, Grave 8) |
Charles was the illegitimate son of Martha Ann, who was born in Southampton in 1862.
Martha married James Williams in Southampton in 1884 and it is not known when she passed away.
Charles married Louisa Ann Stacey in Southampton in 1898, and the couple proceeded to have 7 much-travelled children.
Louisa was born in Southampton on 19 December 1877 and she passed away in New York on 24 May 1959.
Children
Gladys MARGARET Ella b. 13 November 1898 Southampton d. 8 October 1985 Florida Married Reginald P. Hatcher in Southampton in 1918. Married Joseph Partington in Southampton in 1925.
Charles Walter b. 25 November 1900 Southampton d. 24 October 1973 ?? Married Jessie M. Wilson in Southampton in 1920. Married Clara V. Farr in Southampton in 1921.
William Edward b. 4 September 1902 Southampton d. 31 March 1982 Montreal Married Isabella Johnston Niven in Montreal in 1928.
George Frederick b. 15 December 1903 d. ??
Henry Thomas b. 5 December 1906 d. 2 May 1988 New York
Flora Ann b. 1 January 1912 d. 17 October 1924 Montreal
Frederick b. 5 February 1913 d. 7 July 1987 Florida
There is irrefutable proof of Louisa, Henry and Frederick living in Brooklyn in 1930; Henry disappears from then but Louisa and Frederick spend the next 10 years split between Brooklyn and the Bronx.
The 2nd Wiltshire had been based in Gibralter when war was declared, and landed back at Southampton in September 1914.
They immediately moved to Lyndhurst, under the command of the 21st Brigade in the 7th Division.
The 21st Brigade landed at Zeebrugge on 7 October 1914, and transferred to the command of the 30th Division on 19 December 1915.
The 2nd Wiltshire took part in the battles at Neuve Chapelle (1915), Aubers (1915), Loos (1915), Albert (1916), Arras (1917) and Third Ypres (1917).
It is known that Charles died of wounds received and it is likely that this happened during a local skirmish rather than during a large battle.
Le Treport was an important hospital centre and, by July 1916, the town contained 3 general hospitals.
As the original military cemetery filled, it became necessary to use the new site at Mont Huon.
There are now 2,128 Commonwealth WW1 burials in the cemetery.
| Researcher: | Mark Heritage |
| Published: | 19th July 2016 |
| Updated: |
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