Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Charles Henry Priestley a bricklayer, born 1854 in Hull, Yorkshire and his wife Sarah Ann Priestley (nee Hope, married in the 4th quarter of 1875 in the Sculcoates, Yorkshire district)), born 1857 in Guisborough, Yorkshire. Charles Walter, a schoolboy, was born in 1886 in Hull and was baptised on the 11th April 1886 in St. John the Baptist Church, Newington, Yorkshire, his siblings were, Lucy Ann, a dressmaker’s apprentice, born 1876, Emily Gertrude, a schoolgirl, born 1878 and was baptised on the 11th July 1878 in Hull, Lily, a schoolgirl, born 1882, Marian Maria, a schoolgirl, born 1885 and baptised on the 13th July 1884 in St. John the Baptist Church, Newington and Amy Cecilia, born 26th October 1889, all his siblings were born in Hull, in April 1891 the family home was at Evans Square, Newington. In March 1901 Charles was employed as an errand boy and was living in the family home at 15, Regent Street, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, together with his father, a bricklayer, his mother and siblings, Lily, a wool doubler, Marian, a shoe trade machinist, Amy, George Wilfred, born 4th November 1892 and Leonard Barnby, born 1894, the latter two siblings were both born in Hull, Elsie May, born 1896 in Peterborough, Northamptonshire and Dorothy Kathleen, born 6th July 1896 in Melton Mowbray. In April 1911 Charles was absent from the family home at 15, Regent Street, Melton Mowbray, residing there was his father, a bricklayer, his mother and siblings Leonard, a plumber’s apprentice, Elsie, a draper’s apprentice and Dorothy, a schoolgirl. In the 2nd quarter of 1916 Charles married Elsie E. Bowden in the Wandsworth, Surrey marriage registration district.
On Friday August 17th 1917 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR” – SOLDIERS DEATH FROM WOUNDS. Mrs S. Priestley, 15, Regent Street, Melton Mowbray, has received a letter this week from her daughter in law stating that she had just received a wire from Perth stating that her husband, Pte Charles Walter Priestley, Cameron Highlanders, died on August 5th at the Canadian Clearing Station from wounds in the legs and wrist. Deceased was the eldest son of Mr and Mrs S. Priestley, and was 31 years of age. He has been in service since leaving school, going first as hall boy to Miss Grant, The Lodge, and later he was employed for one year by Mrs Mackey and Mrs Ladenburg during their occupancy of Sysonby Lodge. Fifteen years ago he left Melton Mowbray to take employment under Lord Nunburnholme, then for eight years was butler to the late Dowager Lady Inchiquin. Twelve months last October he left there to join Lord Roberts’ Scouts Cavalry Regt., being subsequently transferred to the Cameron Highlanders. Deceased only returned to his regiment in June after having been in hospital since April suffering from shrapnel wounds in the leg and concussion of the back. He leaves a widow and two children. Mr and Mrs Priestley have two other sons and a son in law serving with the colours.
On Friday August 2nd 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS.” – IN MEMORIAM. PRIESTLEY. – In loving memory of Charles Walter Priestley, Cameron Highlanders, died of wounds in France, August 5th, 1917. From Father, Mother, Brothers and Sisters.