Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of George Thorne, a tailor’s cutter, born in the April quarter of 1859 in Lutterworth, Leicestershire (son of John Thorne, 1811 and Elizabeth Armson, 1819) and his wife Margaret Kate Thorne (nee Payne, married on the 9th June 1891 in St. Mary’s Church, Lutterworth), born on the 26th June 1864 in Lutterworth and baptised on the 14th August 1864 in St. Mary’s Church, Lutterworth (daughter of Charles Coxton Payne, 1832-1919 and Elizabeth Mawby, 1844-1919). Charles was born in the April quarter of 1893 in Lutterworth and was baptised on the 18th June 1893 in St. Mary’s Church, Lutterworth, his siblings were, Dorothy May, born in the July quarter of 1894 and baptised on the 29th July 1894 in St. Mary’s Church, Lutterworth and John, born in the October quarter of 1899 and baptised on the 29th October 1899 in St. Mary’s Church, Lutterworth, both siblings were born in Lutterworth, in March 1910 the family home was at New Street, Lutterworth. In April 1911 Charles was absent from the family home at Woodmarket, Lutterworth, residing there was his mother, a boarding house keeper and his siblings, Dorothy and John, his father was employed as a domestic coachman and was residing at High Street, Quorn, Leicestershire, meanwhile Charles was employed as a plumber’s apprentice and was residing as a boarder at 21 & 23, Freeschool Lane, Leicester.
Charles enlisted/attested into the Territorial Force on the 6th April 1914 in Leicester, and was allotted the regimental service number 1979. He gave his place of birth as Lutterworth, Leicestershire and age as 20 years. His marital status was given as unmarried and his trade or calling as plumber, presently in the employ of Messrs. Norman and Underwood, 23, Freeschool Lane, Leicester.
His medical history was compiled during an examination that took place in Leicester on the 6th April 1914 and recorded his birthplace as Lutterworth, Leicestershire, declared age as 20 years 334 days, trade or occupation as plumber, that he was 5-feet 4½ inches in height, had a chest measurement of between 33 and 36 inches, his vision was described as good his physical development was described as satisfactory. Enlisted at Leicester on the 6th April 1914. Joined on enlistment 4th Bn. Leicestershire Regt
His medical inspection record gave his full name as Charles Thorne, his apparent age as 20 years, his height as 5-foot 4½ inches, his chest measurement as 33 inches to 36 inches, his vision as good and his physical development as satisfactory.
He was certified as fit for the Territorial Force. Date 6th April 1914. Place Leicester.
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.
Embarked. With 1/4th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. 2/3/15.
Landed. At Le Havre. 3/3/15.
Appointed. Acting Lance Corporal (unpaid) to complete establishment. In the Field. 12/8/15.
Appointed. Lance Corporal (paid) vice Lance Corporal Butler, wounded. In the Field. 1/9/15.
Admitted. To 46th Divisional Rest Station. In the Field. 4/9/15.
Admitted. To Casualty Clearing Station, Abeele. 18/9/15.
Admitted. To No.4 Stationary Hospital, St. Omer. 20/9/15.
Discharged. To duty. 7/10/15.
Missing in action. In the Field. 13/10/15.
Death accepted for official purposes as on or after. 13/10/15.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 6/4/14 – 1/3/15. 330 days.
France. 2/3/15 – 13/10/15. 226 days
Total Service. 1 year 191 days.
He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
On the 6th September 1918, Charles’s mother Margaret, of 124, Freehold Street, Loughborough, Leicestershire was awarded a weekly Army Dependant’s Pension of three shillings and six pence, commensurate on the 16th March 1918, this was increased on the 17th November 1919 to five shillings, commensurate from the 6th November 1918.
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: 12 Oct-15 - At 9.00 am Battalion marched to SAILLY LABOURSE. Dinners and teas were cooked here. Rations for 134 men issued. At 5.15 pm Battalion marched to VERMELLES where stores were taken up. At 11.00 pm Battalion arrived in trenches.
The War Diary records: 13 Oct-15 - At noon our artillery started to bombard. At 1.00 pm our smoke and gas started. At 1.50 pm smoke and gas stopped. At 2.00 pm artillery lifted and Battalion assaulted the HOHENZOLLERN REDOUBT. Lieutenant Colonel R. E. MARTIN was wounded early but remained in the fire trench directing operations for nearly 24 hours and until -?- to the dressing station by Brigadier General KEMP. All officers of the Battalion either killed or wounded.
The War Diary records: 14 Oct-15 - In the evening the Battalion was relieved by part of the 139th Brigade and went back to the LANCASHIRE TRENCH. Roll call revealed that 188 NCO’s and men returned.
The Official History of the War – Military Operations (France and Belgium 1915 Volume II) provided the following statistics for the 1/4th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, officers killed 20, other ranks killed 453. Total losses for the day were 138th Brigade 64 officers and 1,476 other ranks. 137th Brigade 68 officers and 1,478 other ranks.
On Wednesday, December 1st, 1915, The Leicester Mail published the following article under the heading. –
LOCAL CASUALTIES. – (A photograph accompanied the article). - LANCE-CORPORAL C. THORNE. – Lce. Corpl. Chas. Thorne, 1/4th Leicester’s, missing since the charge of October 13th. Any tidings will be gratefully received by his parents at 124, Freehold Street, Loughborough. Lce. Corpl. Thorne joined the Territorials just before the outbreak of war. he was 22 years of age and was employed by Norman and Underwood, Freeschool Lane, Leicester.
On Monday, December 6th, 1915, The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. – Leicestershire and the War. – LOCAL CASUALTIES. – The parents of Lance-Corporal C. THORNE, 1/4th Leicester’s, have been notified that their son has been missing since October 13th. Any information about the missing soldier would be gratefully received by his parents, 124, Freehold-street, Loughborough. Before going to the front Lance-Corpl. Thorne worked for Norman and Underwood, Freeschool-lane.
On Tuesday, December 7th, 1915, The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. – LEICESTER ROLL OF HONOUR. - (A photograph accompanied the article). – L.-Cpl. C. HORNE, 4th Leicester’s, missing since Oct. 13th. His parents reside at 124, Freehold-street, Leicester.