Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Harry Wilson, an invalid, born 1850 in Malton, Yorkshire and his wife Eliza Wilson (nee Bray, married Frederick Sisson in the 2nd quarter of 1874 in the Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire district), (married Harry Wilson in the 3rd quarter of 1891 in the Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire district) a charwoman, born in the 3rd quarter of 1859 in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire. Charles, was born in the 2nd quarter of 1893 in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, his half blood siblings were, Arthur Sisson, a shoe trade finisher, born 1886, Maggie Sisson, a domestic day girl, born 1887, Frederick Sisson, born 1889 and his full blood sibling Edwin, born in the 3rd quarter of 1894, all his half blood siblings and his full blood sibling were born in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, in March 1901 the family home was at 17, Pall Mall, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire. In April 1911 Charles was employed as an iron founder and was residing in the family home at 21½, Beck Mill Street, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire together with his father, an invalid, his mother and full blood siblings, Edwin a milk trade worker and Albert Edward, born 1902 in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire and his half blood siblings, Arthur Sisson, a mineral water manufacturer and Maggie Sisson, a mill worker. His younger brother Edwin also died.
The War Diary for today records. Report by Major H. Gordon on operations by B and C Coys on night of 23rd/24th November:- About 4.00am I took B and C Coys up the communications trench to a point about 70 yards from the part of the fire trench occupied by Germans, this fire trench was in prolongation of the trench held by 107th PIONEERS. This regiment had been sent up to attack and recapture the part of the trench held by the enemy. This was the right of the German trench. Unknown to us the 1st/39th GARWHALS had been sent to attack the left and subsequently it appeared they entered the left part of the trench. At about 3.00am Brig Gen EGERTON ordered 1 Coy of the 2nd LEICESTERSHIRE REGT to attack the trench in flank and 1 Coy 107th PIONEERS to extend to our left, while 1 Coy of each Regt was to be in reserve. I ordered B Coy to lead and put C Coy in support. B Coy got out in good order and gained their position by moving along a natural ditch parallel to and about 15 yards in rear of this fire trench. The Coy of PIONEERS who were to form on our left also got into position. When the advance began the PIONEERS for the most part, instead of prolonging to our left, closed on to B Coy and hampered their movement. Capt H. A. GRANT led his men into the enemy’s trench and here, he and 2nd Lt M. W. SETON-BROWNE were killed. The enemy -?- and we killed a number of them in their retirement. The officer commanding the PIONEER Coy came back and reported that his men were unable to advance on account of heavy losses. I went forward and separated our men from the PIONEERS and brought them along to where the leading men of B Coy had established themselves in the enemy’s trench. I then reported the situation to the G.O.C. who ordered a retirement from the trench. This took place about 6.00am and by 7.00am I had got away all the wounded. Subsequently it transpired that the 1st/39th GARWHALS actually joined up to the part of the trench captured by us at about 6.30am. At 8.30am I left FESTUBERT with the 2 Coys to proceed to billets at GORRE, when we came under shrapnel fire. Remainder of Bn (HQ’s, A and D Coys, Machine Guns and 1st LINCOLNSHIRE REGT) proceeded to GORRE remaining in reserve under orders of Gen McBEAN commanding BAREILLY BDE. Arrived at GORRE at 1.45am, 24th, eventually returned to billets at LA COUTURE during early afternoon.
On Friday January 8th 1915 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON’S DEAD HEROES.” – MELTON SOLDIER KILLED. – (A photograph accompanied the article). Mr. and Mrs. H. Wilson, 21½, Beck Mill, Melton Mowbray, have received an official intimation from the War Office authorities that their son, Pte. C. Wilson, 2nd Leicestershire Regiment, died on the 24th November from wounds received in action. The deceased, who was 21 years of age, was formerly employed as a labourer by the Holwell Iron Co., but enlisted in the 2nd Leicester three years ago, and went out to India with them returning last September with the Indian contingent. On the 21st November he sent home a post card intimating that he was all right, and was killed three days later. Pte. Wilson was of a quiet and retiring disposition. His parents have received the following from Lord Kitchener:- “The King commands me to assure you of the true sympathy of his Majesty and the Queen in your sorrow. Kitchener.” This is the third casualty that has occurred in the family. Mrs. Wilson’s sister and brother Mrs. Bodfish and Mr. Carter both having had sons killed in action. His brother Edwin also fell.