Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Alfred Barlow an ironstone quarry worker, born 1870 in Scalford, Leicestershire and his wife Sarah Jane Barlow (nee Chester, married in the 4th quarter of 1891 in the Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire district), born 1873 in Holwell, Leicestershire. Charles Cecil was born in the 4th quarter of 1893 in Holwell, his siblings were John Alfred, born 1892, Albert Ernest, born 1895, Arthur, born 1898, Julia, born 1900, George Francis, born 1903, Eleanor Susannah, born 1904 and Walford Archibald, born 2nd June 1908, all his siblings were born in Holwell, in March 1901 the family home was at Holwell. In April 1911 Charles was absent from the family home in Holwell, residing there was his father, a quarry worker, his mother and siblings, John, a quarry horse driver, Arthur, a schoolboy, Julia, a schoolgirl, George, Eleanor and Walford, Charles was employed as a farm worker and was residing as a servant at Fosse Road, Cotgrave, Nottinghamshire.
Charles attested into the Army on a Short Service engagement (Three years with the Colours.) on the 2nd September 1914 in Melton Mowbray. He gave his place of birth as Holwell, Melton, Leicestershire, his age as 20 years and 295 days and his trade or calling as labourer. He confirmed that he was unmarried. He gave his father, Alfred Barlow, mother Sarah Barlow and brother John Alfred Barlow, all of Holwell, Melton Mowbray, as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 6½ inches in height, weighed 156 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 35½ and 37 inches. His complexion was described as fresh, his hair colour was brown and he had grey eyes. He gave his religion as Wesleyan. He was pronounced fit for the Army on the 2nd September 1914 in Melton Mowbray. His record of service began when he joined the Depot of the Leicestershire Regiment as a Private, service number 12884 on the 2/9/14. Posted to the 8th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 24/9/14. Discharged under paragraph 392 IIIC, King’s Regulations as not likely to become an efficient soldier on the 15/10/14. A summary of his service records: Home Service, 2/9/14 – 15/10/14, 44 days. Total service 44 days. After later re-enlistment Charles was awarded the British War and Victory medals.
The War Diary records: 22 Mar-18 - FRONT LINE, EPEHY. The early morning of the 22nd March brought with it the same heavy mist, the hostile artillery displayed little activity and up till 9.00am the enemy made no further attack, observation of any kind was quite impossible and the movements of the enemy on our right could not be seen. During the night of the 21st/22nd March from information received it was evident that small parties of the enemy had reached the EPEHY – ST EMILIE ROAD, it was also reported that a small party about 20 strong had been seen near the advanced dressing station in the south west edge of EPEHY. About 9.00am favoured and hidden by the heavy mist the enemy infantry commenced to push into the village from the EPEHY – ST EMILIE ROAD. Three posts on the south east edge of the village were rushed from the rear and taken and the enemy continued to advance in a north eastern direction through the village. By this time the right flank of the Battalion was completely in the air and the hostile infantry were threatening the RED LINE from the East, South and West. The Commanding Officer decided to evacuate the RED LINE at 10.00am, at the same time moving Battalion Headquarters from FISHERS KEEP. Accordingly the decision was communicated to the 4 Companies holding the RED LINE and to the 2 Companies of the 6th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT defending the village. The evacuation of the RED LINE was carried out under very difficult circumstances as the enemy were rapidly closing in from three sides. A defensive flank was then formed along the SAULCOURT – EPEHY ROAD to link up with the 7th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT holding PEIZIERE and the YELLOW LINE, held by 2 Companies of the 6th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT and 2 Companies of the Reserve Brigade. About 10.30am the mist lifted considerably, very large forces of hostile infantry were seen advancing west along the high ground behind VILLERS FAUCON and EPEHY. It was very evident that the enemy would make a serious attempt to drive in the right flank of the YELLOW LINE. Towards 11.00am small parties of the enemy infantry began to break clear of the West side of EPEHY and to collect together in the dead ground West of the village, these parties were made to pay dearly for their enterprise, but shortly after 11.00am, the mist descended again and the enemy was able to complete his concentration in comparative safety. At 11.30am the Brigade received orders to withdraw through SAULCOURT to LONGAVESNES (ST QUENTIN A1) and to reorganise there. At the same time the enemy about a Battalion strong pushed forward from EPEHY towards the SAULCOURT – EPEHY ROAD. The Brigade slowly withdrew through the defences of SAULCOURT (BROWN LINE) held by the Reserve Brigade and details of 110th Brigade Headquarters to LONGAVESNES. From there the Brigade marched to AIZECOURT-LE-HAUT arriving there about 7.00pm. In the meantime the enemy’s advance was arrested by the SAULCOURT DEFENCES and the BROWN LINE west of SAULCOURT. At 4.30pm after a short but very intense shelling preparation the enemy made an attack in force on the BROWN LINE, and succeeded in capturing SAULCOURT, after this rapid progress was made by the enemy resulting in the loss of GUYENCOURT, LONGAVESNES and LIBRAMONT. During the evening the Corps received orders to withdraw to the GREEN LINE East of TEMPLEUX LA FOSSE to conform with the movements of the next Corps to the South.
On Friday May 17th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “HOLWELL.” – JOINED UP. – Albert Ernest Barlow son of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Barlow, left home on Monday last to join H.M. Forces, and we wish him a speedy and safe return. We are sorry to hear Pte. Charles Barlow, another son is missing, but we trust his parents may soon hear good news from him.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Image of family gravestone sent my S Kallaste 21/03/23.