Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son Charles Barrett, born in the April quarter of 1873 in Manton, Rutland and baptised on the 29th June 1873 in St. Mary’s Church, Manton (son of Charles Barrett, 1847 and Elizabeth Newbon, 1846) and his wife Sarah Barrett (nee Watson, married on the 25th February 1893 in All Saint’s Church, Loughborough, Leicestershire) born on the 23rd November 1874 in Loughborough (daughter of Thomas Watson, 1849 and Esther Brassington, 1856-1938). Charles Ernest was born in the October quarter of 1896 in Loughborough and baptised on the 19th July 1899 in All Saint’s Church, Loughborough.
Charles’s father died at Cross Street, Loughborough, aged 26 years in March 1900, and was interred on the 26th March in All Saints Churchyard, Loughborough.
In March 1901 Charles was residing in the family home at 121, Meadow Lane, All Saint’s, Loughborough, together with his widowed mother, a home work seamstress and his siblings, Florence, born on the 29th April 1893 and baptised on the 19th July 1899 in All Saint’s Church, Loughborough, Walter, born in the July quarter of 1894 and baptised on the 19th July 1899 in All Saint’s Church, Loughborough and George, born on the 8th December 1898 and baptised on the 19th July 1899 in All Saint’s Church, Loughborough, all his siblings were born in Loughborough, also residing with the family was Charles’s maternal aunt, Elizabeth Watson, a hosiery trade worker, born on the 2nd June 1878 in Belper, Derbyshire.
In April 1911 Charles was employed as a grocer’s boy and was residing in the family home at 2, Freehold Street, Loughborough, together with his mother (married in the July quarter of 1906 in Loughborough) and step father, George Richard Russell, a machine painter, born in the July quarter of 1867 in Marehay, Derbyshire (son of George Russell, 1841-1920 and Elizabeth Hutley, 1841-1895), and his siblings, Florence a hosiery trade worker, Walter, a woodworker and George, a schoolboy and a half blood sibling, Nelly (Nellie) Barrett, a schoolgirl, born on the 12th August 1901 in Loughborough, also residing with the family was Charles’s maternal grandfather, Thomas Watson, a boiler shop worker, born 1849 in Belper, Derbyshire.
On the 9th March 1916, Charles married Alice Vivien Willday in St. Bartholomew’s Church, Quorn, Leicestershire, Alice was born on the 8th August 1893 in Groby, Leicestershire (daughter of John Willday, 1850 and Maria Ward, 1862). Charles and Alice had a daughter, Gladys, born on the 27th September 1916 in Quorn, and who died aged 5 years and 6 months in March 1922 and was interred on the 18th March in Quorn.
Charles’s elder brother Walter, died on the 23rd September 1916, from wounds received in action.
Charles enlisted/attested into the Regular Army on the 19th June 1915 in Loughborough, and was allotted the regimental service number 23863. He gave his age as 19 years 302 days. His marital status was given as unmarried and his trade or calling as grocer. He gave his present address as 42, Freehold Street, Loughborough.
His medical history was compiled during an examination that took place in Loughborough on the 19th June 1915 and recorded his birthplace as Loughborough, Leicestershire, declared age as 19 years 302 days, trade or occupation as grocer, that he was 5-feet 7 inches in height, weighed 129 lbs, had a chest measurement of between 30 and 33 inches, his physical development was described as normal, his vision was described as R.E.-V=normal. L.E.-V=normal. Enlisted at Loughborough on the 19th June 1915. Joined on enlistment Leicestershire Regt. Regimental No. 10/23863.
His description on enlistment recorded his apparent age as 19 years 302 days, height 5-feet 7 inches and chest measurement of between 30 and 33 inches. The following distinctive marks were noted, nil.
He gave his next of kin as his mother, Sarah Russell, 42, Freehold Street, Loughborough. Wife, Alice, Leicester Road, Quorn, near Loughborough.
The compilation of events that occurred during his period of military service are taken from the following sources: - Casualty Form – Active Service (B.103). Statement of the Services of. Military History Sheet.
Joined. At Loughborough. 19/6/15.
Posted. To Depot Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 24/7/15.
Posted. To 10th (2nd Reserve) Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte.
Posted. To 2nd Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 14/5/16.
Embarked. From Devonport per H.T. Llandovery Castle. 145/16.
Disembarked. At Basra. 15/6/16.
Joined. 2nd Bn. Leicestershire Regt. In the Field. 8/7/16.
Transferred. Sick to hospital. In the Field. 1/8/16.
Rejoined. 2nd Bn. Leicestershire Regt. In the Field. 2/8/16.
Admitted. To Hospital. In the Field. 28/8/16.
Rejoined. 2nd Bn. Leicestershire Regt. In the Field. 28/1/17.
Killed in action. In the Field. 9/3/17.
He was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
SERVICE RECORD NOTE: In September 1940, as the result of a fire caused by an incendiary bomb at the War Office Record Store in Arnside Street, London, approximately two thirds of 6.5 million soldiers’ documents for the First World War were destroyed. Those records which survived were mostly charred or water damaged and unfit for consultation and became known as the “burnt documents.” As a consequence, the content and condition of the surviving records can range from good to extremely poor. The hand written information is, in some instances barely legible, and the number of pages that should comprise a full record, in some cases are either badly damaged or missing entirely, however where possible the available information has been transcribed so that it may at least offer the reader a little descriptive insight into some, if not all of the events and background information surrounding the period of service.
The War Diary records: 9 Mar-17 - Continued marching till daylight (about 6.00am) when the Brigade halted 1000 yards from SHAWA RUINS and came in touch with the Cavalry. The Brigade took up Headquarters in the ruins and about 7.00am the enemy commenced to shell the ruins and the Cavalry Division who were concentrating in the vicinity. The Battalion was ordered to send forward one Company with a Company in support to locate the enemy position, his flanks and if possible, his approximate strength. “C” Company went forward with “D” Company in support. “A” and “B” Companies remaining in reserve in artillery formation. During the day enemy shelled occasionally, but our guns when they got into action kept the enemy artillery well in hand. Enemy rifle and machine gun fire was heavy. During the day we pushed slowly forward “A” and “B” Companies later taking part. We had no connection on our right or left flanks. The 51st SIKHS and 56th RIFLES had come round some way on the left to turn the enemy right flank, but we did not get in touch with them during the day. In the afternoon the 53rd SIKHS came up to support our right, and at night continued our right towards the 35th Brigade, with whom they made connection. At dusk we straightened our forward line and consolidated the connection on left. On right 53rd SIKHS in touch with 35th Brigade. The whole Battalion was on the front line from left “A”, “C”, “D” and “B” Companies. In support 1 Company of 125th PUNJABIS. One section from a Machine Gun Company was sent up about midnight. Turkish sniping continued until about 2.00am. Casualties during the day 2nd Lieutenant’s HILTON and PALFREYMAN wounded, NCO’s and men 14 killed, 86 wounded. Very hot during the day.
The 11th April 1917 edition of the Leicester Mercury published the following under the heading, “LOCAL MEN IN THE CASUALTY LISTS.” KILLED – LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT. Barrett, 23863 C. (Quorn), Barrows, 20937 C. (Leicester), Coleman, 20665 H. (Oadby), Daniel, 10495 G. (Hinckley), Foulds, 22689 T. A. (Woodhouse), Geary, 26775 R. (Narborough).
On the 19th September 1917, Charles’ widow Alice Vivien, of Leicester Road, Quorn, Leicestershire, was awarded a weekly Army Dependant’s Pension of eighteen shillings and nine pence for herself and her daughter, commensurate on the 1st October 1917.
[recognitum XXI-III-MMXXIV]