Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Reuben Bend a railway platelayer, born 1864 in Bottesford, Leicestershire and his wife Mary Bend (nee Jarvis, married in the 2nd quarter of 1888 in the Grantham, Lincolnshire district), born 23rd May 1864 in Redmile, Leicestershire. Charles Albert was born on the 1st July 1891 in Bottesford, and was baptised on the 2nd August 1891 in the Parish Church, Bottesford, his siblings were George William, born 1889 and Ethel Ada, born 25th March 1895, both his siblings were born in Bottesford, in March 1901 the family home was at 18, High Street, Bottesford. In April 1911 Charles was absent from the family home at 1, Station Road, Bottesford, residing there was his father, a railway platelayer, his mother and siblings, Ethel and Cecil James, a schoolboy, born 1904 in Bottesford. In 1939 Charles’ widowed mother and sister Ethel resided at Station Road, Bottesford.
Charles enlisted into the Canadian Over-Seas Expeditionary Force on the 20th August 1914 in Edmonton, Alberta. He gave his place of birth as Bottesford, Leicestershire, England, his date of birth as July 1st 1891 and his trade or calling as farmer. He confirmed that he was unmarried. He gave his father, Mr. R. Bend of Station Road, Easthorpe, Bottesford, Notts., as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded his apparent age as 23 years and 3 months and that he was 5 foot 6 inches in height, weighed 135 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 35½ and 38 inches. His complexion was described as fair, he had auburn hair and brown eyes. It was noted that he had three vaccination scars on his right arm, a small ½ long scar half way down the outer side of his left forearm. His physical development was described as good. He gave his religion as Church of England. His record of service began when he joined the 9th Battalion Canadian Infantry as a Private, service number 18471 on the 20/8/14. Embarked from Quebec aboard SS Zealand on the 4/10/14. Transferred to the Infantry Base Depot, Shorncliffe on the 3/4/15. Posted from Reinforcements to the 1st Battalion Canadian Infantry in France on the 26/4/15. Proceeded on 9 days leave to England on the 29/11/15. Rejoined 1st Battalion Canadian Infantry from leave on the 8/12/15. Promoted to Corporal vice Lance Sergeant (Cpl) Cunningham, (promoted), in the field on the 27/4/16. Promoted Lance Sergeant vice 6514 Lance Sergeant Watson, (promoted), in the field on the 22/7/16. Promoted to Sergeant, in the field on the 11/9/16. Admitted to the 10th Canadian Field Ambulance suffering from I.C.T. Back on the 8/10/16. Admitted to 2nd Canadian Field Ambulance on the 9/10/16. Transferred to Casualty Clearing Station on the 13/10/16. Admitted to 2nd General Hospital, Havre on the 14/10/16. Discharged to Reinforcements on the 22/10/16. Classified “O13” at the Canadian Base Depot on the 16/12/16. Classified “A” at the Canadian Base Depot on the 18/1/17. Posted to the 1st Battalion Canadian Infantry, in the field on the 22/2/17. Reported from Canadian Base Depot to the 1st Battalion Canadian Infantry for duty on the 26/3/17. Granted 10 days leave to England on the 7/7/17. Reported to 1st Battalion Canadian Infantry from leave on the 21/7/17. To course at Canadian Corps School on the 1/10/17. Rejoined 1st Battalion Canadian Infantry from course, in the field on the 28/10/17. Killed in action, in the field on the 6/11/17. Awarded the “Military Medal” in the field (Sergeant) (Auth. L.G. 301880/17/7/17).
The War Diary records: 6 Nov-17 -FRONT LINE. Weather Fine – See narrative attached.
“B” NARRATIVE.
6th November 1917.
Our barrage came down at 5.50am. The Battalion jumped off at 6.00am when the barrage lifted at the expiration of two minutes and proceeded forward. “A” Company was on the right and “C” Company of the left, followed by “B” Company on the right and “D” Company on the left. The barrage moved 100 yards and remained stationary for eight minutes.
The attacking troops got away in very good order considering the state of the ground and the impetuosity of the men. These matters were however overcome and little difficulty was experienced in controlling the men or in making progress forward.
“A” Company on the right immediately experienced sniping and Machine Gun fire from GRAF HOUSE. The Stokes gun was put in action and several admirable hits had the effect of driving the enemy out where our men could deal with them and stopping all trouble at that point. At this place two Machine Guns were taken, none of the crews escaped.
“B” “C” and “D” Companies experienced very little resistance from the enemy until the first objective was reached. Isolated bodies of the enemy were encountered in shell holes and were quickly disposed of. At 6.10am three prisoners were at Battalion Headquarters.
Upon reaching the first objective our right Company was forced to crowd in to the left on account of very swampy impassable ground which existed from the jumping off trench to the first objective. The 28th Battalion also experienced difficulty here.
The first objective was reached at 6.30am “A” and “D” Companies halted and proceeded to dig in. “B” and “C” Companies leap-frogged “A” and “D” and advanced to the 2nd objective. After a pause of 20 minutes “D” Company followed and leap-frogged “B” and “C” Companies as the barrage lifted from the second objective. “B” Company supported and the final objective was taken on time. This made the final disposition – Front Line (3rd Objective) “D” and “B” Companies. Support Line (2nd Objective) “C” Company. Reserve Line (1st Objective) “A” Company.
A number of prisoners were taken at first objective and were sent back. Up to this time the enemy barrage was behind our troops and was causing little damage but casualties were caused by Machine Gun fire. Several enemy posts were captured, these being merely improved shell holes camouflaged and containing a Machine Gun and Crew. Some had been killed by our barrage and our men speedily disposed of the survivors. 2 77cm Field Guns were captured at V.30.c.65.30. This gun was in good condition and some 200 rounds of ammunition were nearby. The troops on our right and left advanced well abreast of us and our flanks were protected. There appeared to be a line of enemy posts 250 yards and another about 800 yards from our jumping off line.
The Garrison of NOSSELMARKT occupied cellars and were mostly killed by our barrage. A pill box was found at V.30.c.55.25 containing 4 officers and 50 men who surrendered without resistance. Here the 28th Battalion on our right swung half left towards us and occupied some of our frontage and brought rifle and Lewis Gun fire to bear on NOSSELMARKT across our front. This together with our advance speedily brought out a swarm of Huns with their hands up.
The 2nd objective was reached at 7.40am and consolidation of the line was commenced immediately.
“D” Company destined for the final objective leap-frogged “B” and “C” Companies on the 2nd objective at 7.40am and advanced, reinforced by a Platoon of “B” Company.
The final objective was reached at 7.45am and the remaining three platoons of “B” Company immediately advanced and took up a position on the left. Consolidation was immediately effected. The situation was at this time well cleared up. The enemy being busy in front with Machine Gun and rifle fire but this was eventually silenced by our rifle fire and Lewis Guns.
Touch was effected with the 2nd Canadian Battalion on our left and the 28th Canadian Infantry Battalion on our right and was maintained throughout.
An enemy Machine Gun was captured during operations between the 2nd and 3rd objectives. This gun was put into action in our new front line and was eventually brought out. 4 other Machine Guns were captured at V.30.c.0.5., V.30.d.1.5., V.30.d.3.4., V.30.d.4.4. Another was captured in front of the 1st objective and a seventh at NOSSELMARKT.
At 9.00am two of the contact planes put in an appearance and flares were lit in the trenches.
From 11.30am to 2.50pm a severe enemy bombardment kept our men low and during the day enemy planes in groups of from 3 to 8 and 9 were continually overhead and kept up Machine Gun fire but our casualties from this were slight and our men kept out of sight.
Three advanced posts were thrown out about 30 yards to our front and were manned by Lewis Gun Crews. About 2.00pm a small patrol pushed out to VINDICTIVE CROSS ROADS and found no enemy there.
At 6.00pm there was every indication of the enemy’s intention to counter-attack. Our artillery opened up a heavy barrage and no attack was attempted on our front although an S.O.S. went up to our left.
We used no S.O.S. signals but white very lights were used as became necessary.
The night passed quietly and the time was fully utilised in the consolidation of our position, a deep narrow trench being constructed across the whole of our front.
Rain fell intermittently during the night.
November 7th 1917.
A heavy bombardment by our artillery from 5.00 to 6.00am caused the enemy to retaliate on us for half an hour. At 6.00pm artillery on both sides was very active.
The day was occupied in evacuating the wounded and burying the dead. The graves being placed as close together as circumstances permitted and marked.
The Companies in the front line were relieved by 8.00pm by 2 Companies of the 15th Battalion. The Battalion relief was complete by 9.30pm and was carried out quietly without interruption by the enemy.
Nominal Roll of Officers who took part in the PASSCHEDAELE operations November 6th/7th 1917.
1st Canadian Infantry Battalion. Ontario Regiment
Major A. W. Sparling, DSO. Commanding Officer.
Major W. A. Adams. Adjutant.
Lieutenant A. V. Yates. Assistant Adjutant.
Captain W. H. Scott. Medical Officer.
Lieutenant J. F. Welland. Grenade Officer. Killed in action.
Lieutenant W. Gilson. Signal Officer. Killed in action.
“A” Company.
Major J. R. Millard. Commanding. Wounded 6.11.17.
Lieutenant J. H. Dent. No.1 Platoon. Killed in action 6.11.17.
Lieutenant W. W. Taylor. No.2 Platoon.
N.C.O. No.3 Platoon.
Lieutenant A. E. Smyter. No.4 Platoon. Killed in action 6.11.17.
“B” Company.
Major G. L. Cameron. Commanding.
N.C.O. No.5 Platoon.
Lieutenant T. L. Reid. No.6 Platoon.
Lieutenant J. J. Murray. No.7 Platoon. Wounded 6.11.17.
Lieutenant C. F. Commins. No.8 Platoon.
“C” Company.
Captain R. R. McKAY. Commanding. Wounded 5.11.17.
Lieutenant E. F. Malkin. No.9 Platoon. Wounded remained at duty.
Lieutenant W. B. Adams. No.10 Platoon.
N.C.O. No.11 Platoon.
Lieutenant W. A. McKenzie. No.12 Platoon. Killed in action 6.11.17.
“D” Company.
Lieutenant G. A. Wheable. Commanding. Wounded 6.11.17.
Lieutenant H. A. Somerville. No.13 Platoon. Wounded 6.11.17.
N.C.O. No.14 Platoon.
Lieutenant H. J. Harkness. No.15 Platoon. Killed in action 6.11.17.
Lieutenant C. W. Halstead. No.16 Platoon.
STRENGTH OF BATTALION GOING INTO ACTION
OFFICERS, 22. OTHER RANKS, 524. TOTAL 546.
CASUALTIES, OFFICERS, 11. OTHER RANKS, 278. TOTAL 289.
STRENGTH OF BATTALION WHEN RELIEVED night of November 7th/8th 1917.
OFFICERS, 11. OTHER RANKS, 246. TOTAL 257.