Military History

Charles is listed as dying whilst a prisoner of war on 16th July 1918 . He was captured on 22 Mar 1918 during the German Spring Offensive near Beauvois, having been reported as missing on the 21st March 1918.

A rough translation of Red Cross records that when captured he was suffering from wounds to his feet, knee and left arm. He died at Heilbronn from a some sort of back injury.

The 2nd/6th War Diary entries for the period 20th to 22nd March 1918 are transcribed below.

Roisel - 20^th March 1918: Battn in reserve at Roisel. Working parties found. Lt A/Capt Barker J.S reported from Course of Instruction 1^st Army School. Lieut V.H. Levi reported from XI Corps school where he had been acting as an instructor. Lieutn E. Ormerod returned from hospital. Capt C.H. Potter evacuated to Field Ambulance.

10pm – Orders received to stand by ready to move to battle positions at 10 minutes notice.

Roisel – 21st March 1918 – 4am: Order received to move to positions in Brown Line.  Battle positions from L.1 central to L.1.d.0.5 were manned at 6.0am. The bttn being heavily shelled whilst getting into position with H.E and Gas. Weather fine but thick mist.

10am (approx): Information received that enemy had attacked the front line

11am (approx.): Enemy reported in Templeux le Gerrard. Orders received to counter attack. Counter attack launched by A & D Coys under Major Wike which cleared the village but was subsequently forced to retire onto the Sunken Road L.2.c.0.0 to L.2.c central.

Roisel – 22nd March 1918 – 2am: Verbal instructions received from Bde to hold onto this position and only retire fighting. Under orders from Battn HQ (Brown Line) Major Wike left Sunken Road and returned to Battn HQ leaving A & D Coys in charge of Lt Col Norton, DSO, O.C. Templeux defences who with his force had retired into that position.

After about one hours heavy shelling the enemy attacked about dawn, overwhelmed the Sunken Road position and penetrated the Brown Line and surrounded and captured Battn HQ. Only two officers, Capt Dingley R.A.M.C and 2/Lt Sutherland, Asst Adjt, succeeded in escaping. 2/Lt Sutherland collected stragglers and formed a defensive post about 70 yards behind the Brown Line where he was killed shortly afterwards.

The Battn then fell back upon a defensive line held by a dismounted Cavalry Regiment east of Roisel. The Bttn then fell back fighting in isolated parties, through the 50^th Div who were holding the Green Line, to a point near Cartigny where they re-organised under Lt A/Capt Barker.