Name
Charles Ferns Moorhead
1887
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
09/12/1918
31
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
22612
Bedfordshire Regiment
3rd Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Searched but not found
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
LUTON CHURCH BURIAL GROUND
Y. D. 49
United Kingdom
Headstone Inscription
None
UK & Other Memorials
Not on the Baldock memorials
Pre War
Charles Ferns Moorhead was born in Baldock, Herts in 1887, the son of Samuel and Rebecca Moorhead and one of nine children, although one died in infancy. He was baptised on 13 March 1887 at Baldock.
On the 1891 Census the family were living in Harpenden village [High Street] where his father, who was a watchmaker, had a shop. His father died in 1896, aged 23, and on the 1901 Census 14 year old Charles was living with widowed mother Rebecca and siblings Frederick, Thomas, Alexander, Ethel, Samuel and Alfred at 30 Midland Road, Luton, Beds. His mother's occupation was shown as pianoforte teacher and older brothers Frederick and Thomas were also working. They had moved to 'Roseneath', Avondale Road, Luton by 1911 at which time Charles was living with his mother and five siblings and working as a shorthand typist for a rubber heel company.
Charles was listed on the 1918 Electoral Register as living at 14 Cardiff Grove, Luton, Beds with brother Alfred Benjamin Moorhead and Victor Howell Knight.
Wartime Service
He enlisted 20 September 1915 and served with the Bedfordshire Regiment, 3rd Battalion. He did not serve abroad as the Battalion went to the Harwich Garrison in Felixstowe to defend the coast.
Charles was discharged from the army on 12 September 1916 after one year's service because of heart disease and awarded Silver War Badge no. 11710.
He died on 9 December 1918 from pulmonary tuberculosis and is buried in Luton Church Cemetery, Luton, Beds.
Additional Information
Brother to Frederick John Moorhead who served with the Middlesex Regiment and was killed in action at Arras on 4 May 1917 and is named on the Arras Memorial, France.
Pension records suggest he may have received a pension of five shillings a week, from the date of discharge.
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer
Adrian Pitts, Paul Johnson, dev.worldwar1luton.com
