Name
Charles Hare
Circa 1884
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
01/08/1917
33
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
47335
The Queen’s (Royal West Surrey Regiment)
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
POTIJZE CHATEAU LAWN CEMETERY
A. 15.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Hitchin Town Memorial, St Mary's Church Roll of Honour, Hitchin
Pre War
Charles was born around 1884 in Hitchin and his parents were John and Sarah Ann Hare (née).
In 1891 the family were living at Penns Yard, Hitchin. Present were both parents: John (41) and Sarah (35), with John working as a fellmonger’s labourer. Their children were: Sarah Ann (12), Charles (6) and Elizabeth (4).
In 1901 the family were at 7 Chapman's Yard, Queens Street, Hitchin. Present were both parents, with John recorded as a fellmonger fur labourer. Of the above children Sarah and Elizabeth were absent and Charles at 18 was working as a bricklayer’s labourer. There were two now siblings Lizzie (3) and Albert (1).
By 1911 the family were living at 7 Wratten Road, Hitchin, Herts. Present were both parents and of all the children only Charles was there and working as a jobbing drover at a cattle dealers.
Charles was medically examined on 14 August 1916 possibly under the Derby Scheme in which men aged 18 to 40 could enlist voluntarily, rather than be conscripted, with an obligation to come if called up later. He was called on 26 February 1917 when he was 31 years and 4 months old, 5’ 7 ½”.150 lbs and living at 15 Barnard’s Yard, Queen Street, Hitchin. He requested assignment to a labouring battalion, but was assigned as Private 47335, Royal West Surrey Regiment.
Wartime Service
Charles was on ‘Home’ service from 26 February 1917 to 10 March 1917 and landed at Boulogne, France on the 11th. He had no previous military experience, and the shortness of the period suggests virtually no training. That means that is likely that he was mobilised for service in the Labour Corps, and indeed, although the date is unknown he was transferred to the 16th Labour Company and then to the 124th Company Labour Corps with the Number 73915
In CWGC records he as listed under his original number, but this is common for a man to be listed against his original number and Battalion when he was transferred to a Labour Company.
He was killed in action in Belgium and is buried in Row A, Grave 15 in the Potijze Chateau Lawn Cemetery at Ypres in Belgium.
The news of his death was sent by Private H Wesley to Mrs Taylor, Charles' sister.
Additional Information
On 30 April 1919, his parents address was 17 Barnard’s Yard, Queen Street, Hitchin, but appear to have been at number 15 later when his Death Plaque was sent.
After his death £4 7s 6d was authorised to go to his mother on 7 November 1917. Later, a war gratuity of £3 was authorised to be paid to her, on 1 December 1919.
His medals were sent and received by his sister Mrs S Taylor on 27 March 1922 at 16 Chapman’s Yard, Queens Street, Hitchin
Acknowledgments
Adrian Dunne, David C Baines, Jonty Wild
