Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of John Smith, a general dealer, born 1847 in North Witham, Lincolnshire and his wife Harriet Smith (nee Chambers, married in the 2nd quarter of 1876 in the Grantham, Lincolnshire district), born 1849 in Burley on the Hill, Rutland. Charles was born in the 1st quarter of 1877 in Gunby, Lincolnshire, his siblings were, Ernest, born 1879 and Laura, born 1881, both his siblings were born in Gunby, in April 1881 the family home was at Bottoms Row, Gunby St. Nicholas. In April 1891 Charles was employed as an agricultural labourer and was residing in the family home in Gunby, together with his father, an agricultural labourer, his mother and siblings, Ernest, a schoolboy, Laura, a schoolgirl, John William, a schoolboy, born 1886 and George Arthur, born in the 3rd quarter of 1889, the latter two siblings were both born in Gunby. In March 1901 Charles was absent from the family home at Main Street, Sewstern Road, Buckminster, Leicestershire, residing there was his father, a domestic gardener, his mother and siblings, John, a general labourer, George and Alfred, born 1893 in Gunby. In April 1911 Charles was absent from the family home at Buckminster, Leicestershire, residing there was his father, a garden labourer, his mother and siblings George a farm labourer and Alfred, a farm labourer, Charles was employed as a domestic gardener and was residing as a boarder at London Road, Stapeley, Nantwich, Cheshire. Charles first entered the theatre of war in France on the 24th December 1915. He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War and Victory medals. His younger brother George Arthur, also fell.
The War Diary records: 14 Jul-16 – LA BOISELLE. Enemy artillery was extremely quiet all day. Hardly a shell being sent over. At 11.00pm we attacked the trenches South of OVILLERS in force assisted by 8th Battalion LOYAL NORTH LANCASHIRE REGIMENT. We actually got into the enemy trenches in places, only to be driven back by intense machine gun fire. By 2.00am we had reorganised and with the assistance of the 11th Battalion LANCASHIRE FUSILIERS we again attacked at the point of the bayonet but were again driven back by machine gun fire, and suffered very heavy casualties. A certain amount of ground was gained by “C” Company (assisted by the LANCASHIRE FUSILIERS) in bombing up a trench on the right flank of the attack, but a very stubborn resistance was met with. 40 yards was gained and a block made.
The War Diary records: 15 Jul-16 – LA BOISELLE. The Battalion was relieved during the afternoon by the 2nd ROYAL IRISH RIFLES, and we bivouacked just outside ALBERT. Everyone was very tired and felt the strain of the last few days.
The casualties sustained by the Battalion from 3rd July 1916 to 15th July 1916 were:-
OFFICERS:-
Killed in action
Captain N. C. R. MERRY.
2nd Lieutenant G. F. OLIVER.
2nd Lieutenant A. E. HAMPSON (Attached 7th Trench Mortar Battery).
2nd Lieutenant R. WALTER.
Wounded and Missing:-
2nd Lieutenant F. HARRIS.
2nd Lieutenant H. J. THRIFT.
2nd Lieutenant H. J. GOSS.
Wounded:-
Captain H. WILKINSON.
Lieutenant G. C. LOWRY.
2nd Lieutenant E. MARTIN.
2nd Lieutenant J. H. GLOVER.
2nd Lieutenant HUTBER.
2nd Lieutenant C. G. HAMPSON.
2nd Lieutenant A. V. LEY (Shell shock).
OTHER RANKS:-
Killed:- 38. Missing:- 72. Wounded:- 276.
On Friday September 1st 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “DISTRICT WAR ITEMS.” – BUCKMINSTER SOLDIER KILLED. Lance-Corpl. C. Smith, of the Cheshire Regt., (eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Smith of Buckminster) was killed in action on the 15th July. Joining Kitchener’s Army soon after the outbreak of the war, he went to the front in December, and in March of this year was invalided home, suffering from debility, and removed to hospital in Birmingham. After recovering, he returned in June, and the communication received by his parents states that he was killed on July 15th. Before taking up duties in the army, Lance-Corpl. Smith was employed by Mr. Christie Miller, Stapley House, Nantwich. He was 39 years of age, and a single man. Lance Corpl. Smith was held in the highest esteem by the villagers of Buckminster, and the news of his death has been received with deep regret on all sides. Mr. and Mrs. Smith had another son who has given his life for his King and country, viz., Lance Corpl. G. A. Smith, of the Coldstream Guards, who was killed on November 7th, 1914. Another son Sapper Alfred Smith. of the R.E., is expecting to go abroad shortly, and Ernest, a fourth son, is hoping to join the army in the near future. He was rejected since Aug. 14th, and therefore will be required to present himself for examination at Lincoln before the Medical Board.