Dundee Courier - 12th of January 1937

News of Husband after 21 years

Barnhill Woman Learns His Fate

After 21 years of uncertainty a Barnhill woman has now received definite word of her husband's fate on the battlefields of Flanders.
She is Mrs William Charles, who lives at 27 Dalhousie Road, Barnhill, Dundee.

The proof is obtained in a letter just received by Lord Provost Phin, from a former German soldier, who has in his possession a pay-book, along with a letter and photograph from his wife, which were found on the body of R.S.M. William Charles after the battle of Loos.

The articles were only recently given him by another German ex-comrade-in-arms. The writer is now anxious to trace relatives with a view to returning them as keepsakes.

The letter reads:-
"Dear Sir,

A comrade of me, who was also in the Great War (1914-1918), has given me last month an English soldier's pay-book (active service) which he wished me to send back to his wife or the children of the dead English comrade.

My friend found the book before the German front in Flanders among the dead soldiers after an English attack in autumn 1915.

As the pay-book contains the last will (written 3rd April 1915), one letter of his wife Jean and a photograph of a lady with two children (a girl about 12 years and a boy about 8, perhaps his family), it will be surely important for the widow to get back the last keepsakes of her husband.

The name of the English soldier is William Charles, Sergeant-Major, No. 9507, 1/4th Battalion the Black Watch (Royal Highlanders); date of attestation, 30th October 1891; age of enlistment, 18 10-12 years.

To be able to send back the pay-book to the widow I would be very glad if you could kindly inform me about the address of Mrs Charles; if no more living, the address of one of the children.

With many thanks,
Your truly,
Eric Schulz"

On inquiry at Harbour House it was learned that Mrs Charles had not lived there for at least ten years. But after further inquiry the "Courier and Advertiser" was able to trace her to her present address in Barnhill.

"This is the first definite word I have had since my husband was reported missing following the battle of Loos." said Mrs Charles when told of the development.

While in some reports he was given as missing, one man who had been out with my husband told me he had attended his funeral. At times, however, I had entertained the hope that he might still be alive.
The photograph mentioned was taken specially to send out to him at his request."

A native of Edinburgh, Mr Charles enlisted there in 1891 in the Black Watch, and saw service in Mauritius and India for fully 17 years. For a number of years he was first-class instructor at Madras.

Mrs Charles is also a native of Edinburgh, and was out in India with her husband for five years.

"In 1911 we came to Dundee," she said, "when my husband was appointed instructor to the 1/4th Black Watch Territorials. In 1915 he went out with them to France as a regimental sergeant major, and they were engaged in the Battle of Neuve Chapelle.

His first leave was in September, when he got four days. On returning he was engaged at Loos. Since then no definite word was forthcoming until to-night."

R.S.M. Charles was mentioned in a despatch by Field Marshal Sir John French for gallant and distinguished service in the field.

He appears in the well known painting in Dundee Art Galleries. "Bivouac After Neuve Chapelle."

Mrs Charles' grief is added to by the fact that her son and daughter depicted on the photograph are now both dead.

Her daughter Peggy died in 1920 when only 14 years of age, while a little over a year ago she lost her son, William, at the age of 27.