Charles Humphreys was born in Oswestry in 1898. He was the third of seven children born to Charles and Mary Humphreys. Their father worked as a labourer for the county council. They lived at Osborne Yard off Bailey Street and later at 11 Orchard Street and, by the outbreak of war, at Mount Terrace, Castle Street. Before enlisting Charles worked as a labourer for Salop County Council.  He joined up on 15 February 1917 at Chester. On 23 June 1917 he was reprimanded for having a dirty rifle at the 9AM parade, given 4 days confined to barracks.

By 6 December 1917 Charles was in France posted to 1/5 Bn South Lancashire Regiment. He died of wounds on 12 March 1917. At that time his battalion was in the line at le Pantin (Les Fontaines) near to Givenchy. He was shot in the right shoulder on 7 March 1917 during an enemy raid on the British lines. His commanding officer wrote to his mother telling her that her son had been wounded – ‘I am sorry to lose him temporarily as he was one of my keenest Lewis gunners and was always willing to do any work that fell his lot to have to do. He was always very good at his job and could be relied upon’. His effects were returned home – letters, photos, notebook, religious book, card, English / French dictionary, belt, cap badge, pair of scissors, 2 divisional cloth badges and money of 11/2d, and 10 centimes. Charles was buried in Lapugnoy Military Cemetery. He is also commemorated at St Oswald’s Church, Oswestry – recorded as being in the Cheshire Regiment.

Acknowledgements. 

References and Sources

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