Military History

Charles is listed as being killed in action on 11 April 1918. The following description of the events of that day is courtesy of The Worcestershire Regiment website.

On the 5th April 1918 the 2nd Battalion left Ypres, and marched westwards through drizzling rain to Brandhoek. After dark on the following night (April 6th/7th) the Battalion marched onwards to Peselhoek and thence moved by train to Tincques. From that station the 2nd Battalion marched to billets at Izel-les-Hameau near Penin, and settled down to training.

The 2nd Battalion training period in the Penin area ended on the 9th April 1918, and next morning the 100th Brigade had started (9 a.m. April 10th) on its march southward from Izel-lez-Hameau to join the Third Army on the Somme front. The 2nd Battalion marched at the head of the Brigade and had reached Manin when a sudden halt was called. Urgent orders had come, suspending the move and ordering a return to the former billets. The Battalion turned about and marched back in their tracks to Izel, where during the remainder of the day the troops lay waiting, while rumour of the new German offensive ran round.

After dark (7.20 p.m.) came orders. The fighting troops of the Brigade would march at once to Aubigny and entrain. The transport would move separately next day to a destination as yet unknown.

The train carrying the 2nd Battalion moved out of Aubigny Station about midnight. In the early morning (7 a.m.) of April 11th the train reached Caestre. Lorries were waiting which carried the companies of the 2nd Battalion forward to Meteren. There they were joined by the remainder of the 100th Brigade.

The scene at Meteren was similar to that which had confronted the 4th Battalion at Bailleul the day before. On every hand crowds of homeless refugees were streaming past; for the enemy's guns had been bombarding Bailleul and its population was in flight. British heavy artillery near by kept up a deafening fire, but there was little information as to the position in front.

At 10.0 a.m; came orders that the 2nd Battalion and the 16th K.R.R.C. would advance. The two battalions marched off along the road to Bailleul. The stream of refugees grew thinner and more hurried as the troops neared the town, and long-range shells burst close at hand. Bailleul, when reached, was empty. The two.battalions tramped through the town, along deserted streets. Many houses and shops were already in ruins, and others were collapsing every minute under a continuous bombardment. Bailleul was no place in which to linger, and the two battalions did not
check their pace until clear of the town.

East of Bailleul the two battalions marched forward in open country to the rising ground of the Ravelsberg. There a halt was called and a conference was held while the troops got ready for battle. Packs were discarded and extra ammunition was issued. The usual "Battle Reserve" were withdrawn from the companies and were assembled under the 2nd-in-Command, Major E. J. Donaldson.

The 100th Brigade had been placed temporarily under the command of the 25th Division and had been given orders to occupy the reserve trenches of the "Army Line" from Le Romarin to Neuve Eglise. The Brigadier decided to hold that position with the 16th K.R.R.C. on the right, the 2nd Battalion Worcestershire Regiment on the left, covering Neuve Eglise itself, and the Glasgow Highlanders in support near the Trois Rois Cabaret. The three battalions remained under cover until darkness fell, and then moved forward into their new positions. The "Battle Reserve" of the three battalions remained behind at a farm on the Ravelsberg.

In darkness the 2nd Battalion Worcestershire Regiment took over their allotted front from the 1/4th K.O.Y.L.I. (The 1/4th K.O.Y.L.I. of the 49th Division had previously been sent up from reserve to assist the 25th Division; as yet they had not been engaged). The Yorkshiremen then moved to the left and prolonged the defensive line.

It was difficult to ascertain the exact situation in the darkness. It was understood that the 75th Brigade (of the 25th Division) was in position by the houses of Le Romarin; but patrols were fired on from those houses, which were discovered to have been seized by the enemy. Efforts were made by the 16th K.R.R.C. to organise a counter-attack against Le Romarin in conjunction with the 2nd South Lancashire of the 75th Brigade; but that latter battalion was in no condition to attack, and the attempt was abandoned. The line was readjusted, the 16th K.R.R.C. holding the "Army Line" trenches down to the junction of "Leinster" and "Connaught" Roads. Thence the 75th Brigade held a line across country to Rue-du-Sac, joining up there with the Newfoundlanders
of the 88th Brigade, whose left flank had been drawn back to Papot.