Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of William Green, a boot trade finisher, born 1863 in Earl Shilton, Leicestershire and his wife Emma Green (nee Antill, married in the 3rd quarter of 1886 in the Barrow upon Soar, Leicestershire district), born 1867 in Mountsorrel, Leicestershire. Charles was born in the 1st quarter of 1889 in Mountsorrel, his siblings were, Harry, born 1887 in Mountsorrel and Lizzie, born 1891 in Enderby, Leicestershire, in April 1891 the family home was at Tichbourne Cottages, Poyners City, Enderby. In March 1901 Charles was residing in the family home at Main Street, Mountsorrel, together with his father, a stone quarry worker, his mother and siblings, Harry, a shoe trade riveter, Lizzie, Herbert, born 1894 and Jessie, born 1897, the latter two siblings were both born in Mountsorrel. In April 1911 Charles was absent from the family home at Danvers Road, Mountsorrel, residing there was his father, a stone quarry labourer, his mother and siblings, Lizzie, a boot trade worker, Herbert, a boot trade riveter and Jessie a boot trade machinist, Charles was employed as a domestic servant and was residing as a servant at Dalethorpe, Dedham. Essex. Charles had his widow, Jane Green recorded as his sole legatee, no trace has been found of her whereabouts. He was awarded the British War and Victory medals.
The War Diary records: 11 Apr-18 – LES HAIES BASSES. At dawn the enemy attacked the 40th and 50th Divisions after a trench mortar barrage, these troops retired at once through the Battalion, some were collected by Major SOMERVILLE to put in a support position, on the left flank between where there were no troops behind the front line, these men fell back about 200 – 900 yards thus leaving the left flank of the Battalion in the air. Some of these troops (40th Division) were formed up by Major SOMERVILLE just in front of Battalion Headquarters and an NCO was sent down to the left to find out if there was any line of defence on the left. A line was being formed by Staff Captain 119th Brigade but this line did not work. Captain STERNDALE BENNETT Commanding “C” Company on left of front line formed a defensive flank but the distance was too great and the country enclosed. About 1 hour or 1½ hours later the enemy again attacked and worked through the exposed flank. Battalion Headquarters was taken in flank and rear. Major SOMERVILLE was last seen with 1 platoon of “A” Company defending a small portion of trench but the enemy were close and round the flank. The left flank of the front line under Captain BENNETT held on till the enemy reached the trench from behind, after this time remainder of the front line fell back. Casualties were very heavy and men became disorganised. Small parties fighting with different units during the remainder of the day.
At dusk the various parties of the Battalion were collected at Battalion Headquarters and reformed under Captain W. DAVIES, the total numbers were now only 140 and 3 Officers. During the night Captain DAVIES moved forward and took up a fresh position about near LA FERME PRINCE.
Casualties 11th and 12th
Officers. Missing.
Major D. H. S. SOMERVILLE, M.C.
Captain J. B. STERNDALE BENNETT, M.C.
Captain W. D. DAVIES.
Captain F. J. NATTRASS (R.A.M.C.).
2nd Lieutenant S. F. S. HEARDER.
2nd Lieutenant H. G. ARNOLD.
2nd Lieutenant G. F. SMITH.
2nd Lieutenant J. PEMBERTON.
2nd Lieutenant J. S. LEWIS.
2nd Lieutenant T. ROBERTS.
2nd Lieutenant E. A. LLOYD.
2nd Lieutenant E. D. THOMAS.
2nd Lieutenant L. G. B. BLACKWELL.
2nd Lieutenant W. H. MORGAN.
2nd Lieutenant F. T. WILLIAMS.
2nd Lieutenant W. PARRY.
2nd Lieutenant F. H. BEESE.
Officers. Wounded and Missing.
Captain W. F. PAGE.
2nd Lieutenant E. F. MALINS.
2nd Lieutenant H. JONES.
2nd Lieutenant W. S. PARRY.
Totals. Officers. Killed nil. Wounded 3. Wounded and Missing 1. Missing 17. Total 21.
Totals. Other Ranks. Killed 18. Wounded 146. Wounded and Missing 12. Missing 335. Total 511.
On Friday May 17th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MOUNTSORREL.” – “AS TRUE AS STEEL.” – Information has been received by the parents of Pte. C. Green, residing in Danvers-road, South End, Mountsorrel, that their son attached to the South Wales Borderers, was killed on April 11th. Pte. Green was serving as orderly to a chaplain, who writes: “Your son was hit by a sniper, and died in my arms in five seconds. I have lost the best and truest friend I ever had.” He states that they were engaged in carrying down a wounded officer when Green was fatally shot. “He knew no fear, and took care of me as if I was his younger brother. I shall never have anyone like him again, faithful and true as steel.”