sgt charles charter 1st cambridgeshire

[abbeygirl]

Hi - I'm researching the war memoral at Sutton in Cambridgeshire and wondered if I could find out more about this man? He was born in Jun 1899 and according to his medal record first served in France in 1915 - when he would be just 16. By the time he died on 18/9/1918 - he was 19 and a sergeant. Is this unusual? would be be likely to be mentioned anywhere?

Also in the same regiment/battalion was Private George William Gurry who died of heart failure 18/11/1918 - buried at Tournai.

and Private Herbert Low who died 18/9/1916 aged 19.

Any advice about the best way to gather information on any of the above would be gratefully received!

Thanks

Fiona

[ralphjd]

Maybe the Cambridgeshire Reg Museum at Duxford can help. Get nowhere unless you ask Good luck. Ralph.

[Charters123]

Hi, I have 3 pictures of Charles and a little bit of information about him. If you would like to see them? My name is Daniel Charter of St Ives Cambs.

[Langdon]

Welcome to the Forum.

Here's some detail from The Long, Long Trail:

1/1st Battalion
August 1914 : in Cambridge. Part of East Midland Brigade in East Anglian Division. Moved on mobilisation to Romford but soon on to Long Melford, then in September 1914 to Stowlangtoft and on to Bury St Edmunds in November.
15 February 1915 : left the Division and landed at Le Havre. Came under command of 82nd Brigade in 27th Division.
15 November 1915 : transferred to VII Corps Troops and then became a Training Bn for the 3rd Army School at Flixecourt.
29 February 1916 : transferred to 118th Brigade in 39th Division.
9 May 1918 : transferred to 35th Brigade in 12th Division and absorbed more than 400 men from 7th Suffolk Regiment.

Charles is on SDGW (same details as his MIc) and in the 1911 census - adding to the family information on CWGC - access via Ancestry. His father is a Horsekeeper on a farm and he's a Labourer - aged 12!

You may like to download the Battalion's 1918 war diaries (from TNA for £3.30 or free to view at Kew) here. It's unlikely that he'll be mentioned by name (tho' a Sergeant is more likely than a Private) but it will give good context and day-to-day details.

As rjaydee says - Good luck with your research,

Mike

[abbeygirl]

Thank you all very much.... I have managed to track down some information about everyone listed on the memorial now including some photos. As the anniversary of their death comes, the biography and/or picture is added to the war memorial inside Sutton church, so hopefully future generations will know them too.....

[abbeygirl]

Mike - thank you for the link - Ive just downloaded them and will trawl my way through later! much appreciated...