Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Joseph Major, an inn keeper, born 1855 in Birmingham, Warwickshire and his wife Zelinda Major (nee Orton, married in the 3rd quarter of 1888 in the Uppingham, Rutland, district), born 1863 in Medbourne, Leicestershire. Charles was born in the 2nd quarter of 1892 in Medbourne, his siblings were, Harriet Agnes, born 1889 in Leicester, Ethel, born 1894, Edith, born 1895, Amy Gertrude, born 27th April 1895 and Thomas Orton, born 1896, the latter four siblings were all born in Medbourne, in the 2nd quarter of 1900 in the Uppingham, Rutland district, Charles’s mother died aged 37, in March 1901 the family home was at Main Road, Medbourne. In April 1911 Charles was absent from the family home at Medbourne, residing there was his father, an inn keeper, his step mother Edith Emily Major (formerly Lee, nee Markham, married in the 3rd quarter of 1903 in the Uppingham, Rutland district), assisting in the family business, born 1866 in Smeeton Westerby, Leicestershire and his step siblings, William Lee, a general farm labourer, born 1890 and Emily Lee, a domestic servant, born 1895, the latter two step siblings were both born in Medbourne, Charles was employed as an apprentice carpenter and wheelwright and was residing at Medbourne in the home of his Maternal Uncle Henry Orton, a carpenter and builder, born 1857 in Medbourne and his wife, Mary Ann Orton, born 1859 in Great Easton, Leicestershire and their daughter Mabel Hansett Orton, a mother’s help, born 1882 in Medbourne. He was killed in action at Cormicy, France.
Charles attested into the Army on a Short Service engagement of 3 years with the Colours and with the Reserve on the 10th September 1914 in Market Harborough. He gave his place of birth as Medbourne, Market Harborough, Leicestershire, his age as 22 years and 4 months and his trade or calling as carpenter. He confirmed that he was unmarried. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 10½ inches in height, weighed 12 stone 4 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 36½ and 39 inches. His complexion was described as fresh, his hair colour was light brown and he had blue eyes. He gave his religion as Church of England. He was pronounced fit for the Army on the 10th September 1914 in Market Harborough. His record of service began when he joined the Depot of the Leicestershire Regiment as a Private, service number 14725 on the 10/9/14. Posted to the 9th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 24/9/14. Appointed Lance Corporal, unpaid at Aldershot on the 2/12/14. Appointed Lance Corporal, paid at Aldershot on the 28/12/14. Promoted Acting Corporal at Perham Down on the 28/7/15. Embarked to join the British Expeditionary Force in France on the 29/7/15. Admitted to the 49th Field Ambulance suffering from scabies, in the field on the 14/9/15. Discharged to unit from 49th Field Ambulance, in the field on the 18/9/15. Confirmed in Rank of Corporal, in the field on the 6/12/15. Appointed Lance Sergeant, paid, in the field vice Moore on the 14/7/16. Promoted Sergeant, in the field vice Clapp (K in A) on the 25/9/16. Posted to the 8th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 11/2/18. Leave from 7/3/18 to 21/3/18. Reported missing in action on the 27/5/18. A summary of his service records: Home Service, 10/9/14 – 28/7/15, 322 days. British Expeditionary Force, France, 29/7/15 – 6/3/18, 2 years 221 days. Home for leave, 7/3/18 – 21/3/18, 14 days. British Expeditionary Force, France, 22/3/18 – 27/5/18, 67 days. Total service, 3 years 260 days. Charles was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British and Victory medals. The following information was provided by Henry’s father Joseph on the 23rd September 1919, and was witnessed and signed by J. K. B. Nevinson, Clerk in Holy Orders, Medbourne Rectory, Market Harborough on ARMY FORM W. 5080 (Information on deceased soldier’s family) Father of soldier, Joseph Major of Medbourne, Market Harborough. Mother of soldier, dead. Full blood brother of soldier, Thomas Orton Major, age 23 of Medbourne, Market Harborough. Full blood sisters of soldier, Agnes Markham, Ethel Major, Edith Major, Amy Major. Half blood sister of soldier, Winifred Martha Major. Charles’s surviving service documents are in poor condition, and much of the finer detail relating to the period of time that he spent in the Army, is either illegible or missing, hence the sparse overall description of his military and personal family history.
The War Diary records: 26-29 May-18 - FRONT LINE. During the period the Battalion had been in the line up to the 26th May the hostile artillery activity had been very slight. Much movement had been reported behind the enemy lines and the FRENCH authorities were of the opinion that an attack was to be expected on the Divisional front. At 9.30pm on the night of the 26th May when the inter Company relief was in progress a message was received from Brigade that from two prisoners statements (captured that night) the enemy intended to attack along the whole AISNE front, including the front held by the Division. Bombardment to commence at 1.00am, the attack at 3.00am. This statement proved to be correct for punctually at 1.00am the enemy put down a heavy barrage on the Divisional area. The back areas were shelled with gas shells chiefly, the mustard type being mostly used. The forward area was not subjected to gas as much as the back areas. (ie: in rear of Battalion HQ). From the time the barrage opened all communications were cut and at approximately 5.00am a runner reported having been attacked by a German in the 3rd line west of the CANAL. At 6.00am the enemy were seen from Battalion HQ to be advancing in small parties across the CANAL. By the time a platoon from the Battalion NUCLEUS party had arrived to reinforce and 2 platoons from the 7th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT and a second platoon from this Battalion NUCLEUS were on their way. The four platoons composed the NUCLEUS Company under Major H. C. TYLER M.C. 7th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT. A verbal message was sent to Brigade that no news had been received from any Company and that the Battalion was holding the 5th line 700 yards west of the CANAL. This message reached Brigade at 7.00am. At 8.30am the left support Company Commander (Lt. R. H. GRAVER) reported Battalion HQ with 12 men. The right support Company Commander (Lt. A. HALKYARD) reported also a little later with 50 men, most of whom were stragglers from other Battalions. These 50 men were used to continue the line south of Battalion HQ. A block was established in each communication trench forward of this line and small posts were established behind these blocks. This was in accordance with instructions received meanwhile from Brigade. The three NUCLEUS platoons above mentioned had arrived by this time and this line was held for some hours by the NUCLEUS Company plus the united forces under Lt. A. HALKYARD and the battalion HQ Lewis Gun platoon. Battalion HQ moved back to a position just east of the CAUROY – CORMICY ROAD in a communication trench. The Battalion HQ details and the remainder of the left support Company being used as support to the front line took up a position there also. During the whole of this time the hostile artillery was barraging all communication trenches, roads and tracks forward from Brigade very heavily. “A” Company (Captain SCHOLES) of the 6th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT came up to reinforce the Battalion at about 3.00pm and held the 6th line just south of the CAUROY – CORMICY ROAD. A report came through that the enemy had entered our trenches on the left of the 5th line and that they were bombing their way towards the main communication trench leading to the CAUROY – CORMICY ROAD. It was also reported that the enemy were using flammenwerfer. When the NUCLEUS Company under Major H. C. TYLER M.C. was forced out of the 5th line they withdrew down the communication trench to the 6th line leaving a platoon to form a block just west of the junction of the communication trench and the 5th line of resistance. This block was held for some hours by 12 men of this Battalion. Battalion HQ moved back to a position 100 yards south west of the CAUROY – CORMICY ROAD. Two more Companies of the 6th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT came up to reinforce the one Company holding the 6th line. This made the garrison of the 6th line, 3 Companies of the 6th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT plus a mixed force of about 30 men under Lt. GRAVER. Major TYLER’S Company which now numbered about 80 men was withdrawn into support of the 6th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT in wood west of the CAUROY – CORMICY ROAD. Battalion HQ was forced to move back owing to the enemy having pushed forward machine guns in the wood south west of the CAUROY – CORMICY ROAD. By this time the Battalion consisted of 1 platoon (HQ platoon) and Battalion HQ. As the line was now held by 3 Companies of the 6th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT with 1 Company of 6th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT in support near LA TUILERIE plus Major TYLER’S NUCLEUS Company, Lt. Col. CHANCE Commanding the 6th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT took over command of the Battalion front at 8.00pm, Battalion HQ then withdrew to Brigade HQ and moved back with Brigade HQ to VAUX VARENNES. Elements of the Battalion numbering 4 officers and about 50 men remained under Lt. Col. CHANCE who commanded the composite Battalion consisting of the three Battalions in the Brigade. During the night of the 27th/28th May Lt. Col. CHANCE’S force took up a position north of VAUX VARENNES but was withdrawn at 3.00am on the 28th May and took up a new position on the high ground south east of VAUX VARENNES. Rations for the 28th were issued at this position. The enemy attacked and drove this line back at about 8.00am just at the moment when Brigade received orders to go in reserve at PEVY. The enemy however had approached PEVY from the north west and so a general withdrawal was carried out to HILL east of PROUILLY where a line was organised and held till about 12 noon. FRENCH troops then took over the line and BRITISH troops of all Brigades withdrew to south side of the VESLE where the Division took up a line from LES VAUTES – BRANSCOURT inclusive. Troops were sorted out into Brigades, troops of the 110th Infantry Brigade under Lt. Col. SAWYER Commanding 7th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT held the centre sector from TILE WORKS to about 1000 yards west of this. The enemy attacking from the west pushed this line back to heights north of ROSNAY during the afternoon of the 29th May. HQ 6th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT was to relieve Lt. Col. SAWYER on the night of the 29th/30th May and orders were received that the FRENCH had taken over the line and that BRITISH troops would withdraw to POURCY. The withdrawal of the Brigade troops was complete by 4.00am the 30th May.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Photograph of Charles Major in front of a tent at Perham Down Camp in 1915.
(Information from J Riley, 18/12/22)