Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Seth Ellingworth, an agricultural labourer, born 1864 in Uppingham, Rutland and Mary Elizabeth Ellingworth (nee Spencer, married on the 21st October 1888 in the Uppingham Parish Church, Rutland), born 1867 in Uppingham. Charles Henry was born on the 27th September 1896 in Uppingham, his siblings were, John, born 1889, Martha, born 1892, Kate, born 1894, Mabel, born 1895 and Robert, born 1901, all his siblings were born in Uppingham, also residing in the family home was Charles’s maternal Uncle, Alfred Spencer, an agricultural labourer, born 1881, in Uppingham, in March 1901 the family home was at The Pits, Stockerston Road, Uppingham. In April 1911 Charles was employed as an errand boy and was residing in the family home at Hope’s Yard, Uppingham, together with his father, a farm labourer, his mother and siblings, Jack, a farm labourer, Mabel, a general domestic servant, Robert, Florence, born 1906, Walter, born 1908 and Mildred, born 1910, the latter three siblings were all born in Uppingham.
Charles travelled to Australia with his uncle, Ben Spencer who sadly died within three weeks of their arrival, he then became engaged in farming, upon the outbreak of war voluntarily joined the Australian Imperial Force and embarked for England, he then proceeded to France in January 1918, where he took part in the Battle of the Somme. Charles was killed near the Quarries of Hebuterne, during an artillery bombardment. Captain Aarous, Australian Imperial Force, writing to his parents, said:- “The enemy launched an attack on our front preceded by a four and a half hours’ artillery bombardment, during which enemy shellfire drew of your son the great sacrifice. We have laid him to rest with his comrades who also fell, and the padre paid the last rites due to him on this earth. . . Your son had not been with us very long, but quite long enough to prove himself a man and a comrade. He was respected by all officers and men, and this respect was commanded by his character, honour and personality.
Charles attested into the Australian Imperial Force on the 16th April 1917 at Katanning, Western Australia. He gave his place of birth as Uppingham, Rutlandshire, England, his age as 19½ years and his trade or calling as farm hand. He confirmed that he was a natural born British Subject and that he was unmarried. He gave his father, Seth Ellingworth of Bates Cottage, North Street, Uppingham, Rutland, England as his next of kin. He gave his permanent address as C/o Mark Regent, East Pingelly, later changed to C/o H. Spencer of Pingelly. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 7 inches in height, weighed 130 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 33 and 36 inches. His complexion was described as medium, his hair colour was dark and he had brown eyes. It was noted that he had a scar on his left shin. He gave his religion as Church of England. He was pronounced fit for active service on the 17th April 1917 in Katanning, Western Australia. His record of service began when he joined the Depot of the Australian Infantry as a Private, service number 7730 on the 11/6/17. Posted to the 26/16th Battalion Australian Infantry on the 22/6/17. Embarked from Sydney en route to Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada aboard H.M.A.T. A7 Medic on the 1/8/17. Embarked from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada aboard S.S. Orita on the 21/9/17. Disembarked Liverpool, England on the 3/10/17. Joined the 4th Training Battalion at Codford on the 3/10/17. Transferred to the 13th Training Battalion at Codford on the 3/11/17. Proceeded from Southampton to join the Australian Imperial Force in France on the 16/1/18. Joined the Australian Infantry Brigade Depot at Havre on the 17/1/18. Posted to join unit, in the field on the 19/1/18. Taken on the strength of the 16th Battalion Australian Infantry, in the field on the 26/1/18. Killed in action, France, in the field on the 5/4/18. Buried in an isolated grave, ½ mile South, South East of Hebuterne, 6¾ miles North, North West of Pozieres. 20 yards East of Sunken Road. 200 yards North West of Quarries. Reburied by the Graves Registration Officer in Euston Road British Cemetery, France. He was awarded the British War and Victory medals. His father’s claim for a pension was rejected on the 11th June 1918 as being non dependent. However his mother was awarded a fortnightly pension of six shillings to commence on the 15th June 1917.
Reproduced is correspondence in his service records:
22/6/1917.
To the C.O. 26/16 Depot.
Sir
I enlisted a few months ago in Pingelly under the impression I would get into the Light Horse and having to get exemption to -?- in the -?- I was too light to get in and now I have been transferred to the infantry without saying a word to me about it. My reason for going in the Light Horse was two years ago I had a broken leg if I do much walking about I still feel the effects of it I -?- -?- to know if I could get a transfer to the Pioneers as a driver or something to that effect.
Yours Respectfully C. H. Ellingworth.
Pingelly
November 7th 1918.
Base Record,
Melbourne.
Dear Sirs
Could you kindly inform me on No. 7730 Private C. H. Ellingworth will or anything about same as his mother is inquiring about same would you please let me know as his mother lives in England please let me know about his belongings and full particulars of same. As he is my nephew.
Yours Faithfully
M. Warren
please address
Mrs. H. warren
Post Office
Pingelly.
20th November, 1918.
Dear Madam,
I have to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 7th inst., and to state Wills of the late No. 7730, Private C. H. Ellingworth, 16th Battalion, executed on 10th July, 1917, and 9th February, 1918, respectively, were forwarded to the Military Paymaster, Perth, W.A. 27/4/18 and 10/8/18 for necessary action.
The late soldier’s mother resident in England is the sole beneficiary mentioned in each document, and any personal effects which might be recovered would therefore be forwarded to her direct from A.I.F. Headquarters, 130 Horseferry Road, London.
Yours Faithfully
Major. Officer i/c Base Records.
Mrs. H. Warren,
Post Office,
Pingelly, W.A.
The War Diary records: 5 Apr-18 – At 9.30 am the enemy attacked in force against sector held by the Battalion (K.21 Centre to K.16. C.20.30) This attack was preceded by a violent artillery bombardment of ground between Front Line and Battalion Headquarters, and the back areas: commencing at 4.00 am. Large quantities of gas shells were thrown around the vicinity of Battalion Headquarters. About 6.00 am a destructive shoot was put down on the front line. Fortunately this shoot was not over accurate, or our casualties must have been very heavy; as the fire was very intense. At 9.30 am the barrage was lifted from the front line, and enemy attacking waves were seen coming forward. These waves did not get far before they were broken up by our Lewis Gun and Rifle fire. But the attack was kept up, and a second one was launched at 10.30 am, which also was repelled. It is estimated that about 2,000 of the enemy were engaged in the attack against the Battalion Front. Enemy casualties must have been very severe. A full report by the Commanding Officer is attached as an Appendix. Our casualties were light having regard to the fierceness of the attack. Activity assumed normal proportions about mid-day. Remainder of day, and the night, quiet. Weather:- Dull, and visibility poor. Trenches in very bad state and from 0 inch to 1 foot deep in mud. Casualties for 24 hours – 1 wounded.
On Friday May 3rd 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “UPPINGHAM.” – LOCAL CASUALTIES. – Pte. Fredk. Brewster (30), Leicester’s, is posted as missing since March 23rd. He was the youngest of ten children of Mr. and Mrs. Brewster, South View, Uppingham, and was employed as a mason with Mr. A. Dalby before joining the army. – Pte. C. Ellingworth, Australians, whose parents reside at Hope’s Yard, Uppingham, was killed in action on April 5th. – Lance Corpl. Snodin, Leicester’s, has been wounded for the second time. – Pte. A. Sharp, Grenadier Guards, wounded by gunshot in the forehead, is in hospital at Chatham.