Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of William Willett, a bricklayer, born 1859 in Markfield, Leicestershire and his wife Hannah Willett (nee Littlewood, married in the 2nd quarter of 1886 in the Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire district)), born 1861 in Kirby Bellars, Leicestershire. Charles William, was born in the 2nd quarter of 1893 in Wymondham, Leicestershire, his siblings were, Gerald Percy, born in the 2nd quarter of 1891 and Alfred James, born 1896, both his siblings were born in Wymondham, in March 1901 the family home was at Gypsy Lane, Wymondham. In April 1911 Charles was employed as a domestic groom and was residing in the family home at Wymondham, together with his father, a bricklayer, his mother and brother, Alfred, a domestic footman. Charles’s brother Gerald Percy also fell.
Charles attested into the Army on a Short Service engagement (Three years with the Colours.) on the 5th September 1914 in Melton Mowbray. He gave his age as 21 years and 213 days. He gave his religion as Church of England. His record of service began when he joined the Depot of the Leicestershire Regiment as a Private, service number 13213 on the 5/9/14. Posted to the 8th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 5/9/14. Joined the 8th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment at Aldershot on the 24/9/14. Posted to the Depot on the -?-. Embarked to join the British Expeditionary Force in France on the 29/7/15. Admitted to hospital in England, whilst on leave on the 11/5/16. Posted to the 12th Infantry Brigade Depot on the 13/7/16. Embarked to join the British Expeditionary Force in France on the 14/7/16. Disembarked on the 14/7/16. Joined the 12th Infantry Brigade Depot in Etaples on the 14/7/16. Posted to the 7th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 15/7/16. Joined the 7th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, in the field on the 2/8/16. Posted to the 8th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 6/9/16. Joined the 8th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, in the field on the 7/9/16. Wounded, in the field on the 25/9/16. Transferred to the 23rd General Hospital, suffering from a gunshot wound to the hand on the 28/9/16. Transferred to England aboard S.S. Staat Antwerpen on the 28/9/16. Admitted to the 3rd Western General Hospital, Cardiff suffering from shrapnel wound to hand on the 28/9/16. Posted to the Depot on the 28/9/16. Discharged from the 3rd Western General Hospital, Cardiff on the 14/10/16. Posted to the 3rd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment and attached to 14th TRB on the 3/11/16. Posted to the 3rd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 7/2/17. Embarked from Folkestone to join the British Expeditionary Force in France on the 1/3/17. Posted to the 12th Infantry Brigade Depot, Etaples on the 2/3/17. Posted to the 1st Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 2/3/17. Posted to the 7th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 6/4/17. Joined the 7th Battalion in the field on the 27/4/17. Wounded in action, in the field on the 3/5/17. Admitted to the 44th Field Ambulance suffering from a gunshot wound to the hand on the 3/5/17. Transferred to the 20th Casualty Clearing Station on the 3/5/17. Admitted to the 8th Field Ambulance at Wimereux on the 3/5/17. Joined the 12th Infantry Brigade Depot at Calais on the 18/6/17. Joined the 7th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, in the field on the 14/7/17. Wounded in action, in the field on the 6/10/17. Admitted to the 4th Casualty Clearing Station on the -?-. Transferred to the 64th Casualty Clearing Station on the -?-. Transferred to the 1st Convalescent Depot on the -?-. Killed in action on the 2/1/18. A summary of his service records: Home Service, 5/9/14 – 28/7/15, 327 days. British Expeditionary Force France, 29/7/15 – 13/5/16, 289 days. Home Service, 14/5/16 - 11/7/16, 59 days. British Expeditionary Force, France, 12/7/16 – 27/9/16, 78 days. Home Service, 28/9/16 – 1/3/17, 155 days. British Expeditionary Force, France, 2/3/17 – 2/1/18, 307 days. Total service 3 years 120 days. Charles was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War and Victory medals. The following information was provided by Charles’s mother Mrs H. Willett on the 30th August 1919, and was witnessed and signed by F. B. A. Williams, Clerk in Holy Orders, Wymondham Rectory, Oakham on ARMY FORM W. 5080 (Information on deceased soldier’s family) Father of soldier, William Willett of Wymondham, Oakham. Mother of soldier, Hannah Willett of Wymondham, Oakham. Full blood brother of soldier, Alfred James Willett, age 24 of 11, North Parade, Grantham. Charles’s surviving service documents are in a very poor condition, and much of the finer detail relating to the period of time that he spent in the Army, is either illegible or missing, hence the sparse overall description of his military and personal family history.
On Friday October 20th 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL AND DISTRICT NEWS.” – WYMONDHAM. – OUR HEROES. It is with deep regret that we have to state Mr. and Mrs. Johnson, grocers and drapers, received the sad intelligence from the War Office that their fifth son, Pte. Fred Johnson, Durham Light Infantry, was killed on the 18th September. Prior to joining the army, deceased was employed on the Midland Railway, as clerk in the Goods department at Sheffield, and was 30 years of age. Very many sympathetic letters have been received from his many friends in Sheffield, he being dearly loved by all who knew him. News has also come to hand of the death of John Veasey, but nothing official has yet been received. Two sons of Mr. and Mrs Willett have been wounded, one is home on leave and is going on well. Mr. Robert Knott has been informed that all three of his sons who are serving at the front have been wounded, and Mr. and Mrs. Henry Clarke have been notified that their son, Herbert, is wounded and lying in hospital at Fishponds, Bristol, with fractured leg and shrapnel in his foot.
On Friday June 15th 1917 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL MEN IN THE CASUALTY LISTS” - The following local casualties are officially reported. From Saturday’s list:- WOUNDED. LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT. Willett, 13213 C. W. (Wymondham).
The War Diary records: 1 Jan-18 - Map Ref: 5Yc. SE4 – 62c. NE2. 5.30pm. The Battalion relieved the 6th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT. in the line. Dispositions of Companies as follows. Right front Company “A” Company, centre front Company “C” Company, left front Company 1 platoon and light gun “B” Company, Battalion Headquarters X.25.a.5.0. Support Company 2 platoons “B” Company. The relief was carried out by 7.00pm. 9.00pm. A patrol of 1 officer and 6 other ranks came into contact with a large party of enemy in the neighbourhood of the abandoned front line trench (X.20.a.) 2 of our patrol were killed in hand to hand fighting and 1 was wounded. Several casualties were inflicted on the enemy party.
The War Diary records: 2-3 Jan-18 - Map Ref: 5Yc. SE4 – 62c. NE2. Frosty weather prevented much digging being carried out. Work was continued on the wiring of both front and support lines.
On Friday January18th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL AND DISTRICT NEWS.” – WYMONDHAM. – FALLEN HERO. – It is with feelings of deep regret we record that another of our lads has made the supreme sacrifice. Mr. and Mrs. Willett received the sad intelligence on Saturday morning that another son was killed in France, in the following letter: - 7th Jan. 1918. Dear Mrs. Willett, - I am so exceedingly sorry to be the bearer of such very sad news. Your son, Pte. C. W. Willett was killed in action on January 1st. He was out on patrol on the night of the 1st, and was wounded by a German patrol party. He was taken to the aid post, where he died very soon afterwards. I am writing to offer you my very sincerest sympathy, and that of the whole battalion, and to tell you how greatly we all feel for you in your great loss. Your son was buried at 3 p.m. on January 2nd in a British Military Cemetery, close to the graves of other brave men, who have given their lives for their country. We out here all fully understand how great a share the mother’s of England have in the great sacrifice which the country is having to make in ridding the world of evils, even worse than death, and winning peace and freedom for the world. May our Heavenly Father who gave His only son to die that we might live forever in His Eternal Home of Rest and Peace and Happiness, bless and comfort you, and give you strength to bear your great sorrow. I am yours very sincerely, Hugh F. Sawbridge, Chaplain 110, Inf. Brigade, B.E.F. P.S. The battalion are having a cross bearing his name and battalion, and the date of his death, placed over his grave. B.E.F., 7th Jan. 1918. Another sympathetic letter has been received from J. H. Bonshor, 2nd Lieut., O.C. 2nd Platoon, A Coy., 1st Leicestershire Regt. Deceased aged 24, was of a very bright and cheerful disposition, always ready for any amusement, and loved by all who came in contact with him. Previous to joining up he was employed in gentlemen’s stables and was for a time with Mr. R. L. Grenfell, Major Fortescue, and Mrs. Jefferson. He had been thrice wounded, and was only just out of hospital. He was a member of both week day and Sunday schools, and a regular attendant in the Church choir. Much sympathy is felt for the bereaved parents. Of their family of three sons, the oldest, Percy was killed in France on Oct., 17th last. The third son joined at the outbreak of war, but was later discharged and we understand has now to join up again.