Personal Details

Born: Born 4 May and baptised 14 June 1877 at St Alkmund’s Church in Whitchurch, Shropshire.

Family: Fifth of ten children born to Alfred and Emma Cheshire. Married Mary Ann Jones in 1898 at Hengoed, Oswestry, Shropshire. Together they had eleven children, ten of whom survived, Emily Elizabeth, Agnes, May, Annie, Ethel, Florence, Charles Alfred, Margaret, Mary and Sarah E.

Residence: At time of his baptism the family were living just over the border in Wales at Painters Green, Redbrook Maelor, Whitchurch. Three years later their address was Catterall’s Lane, Whitchurch. By 1891 the family had moved to 16 Bark Hill, Whitchurch. In 1901 Charles and his new family were living at 9 Chester Road, Whitchurch and were still there ten years later in 1911. At the end of WW1 his address was given as 9 Yardington, and in 1939 as Wrexham Road, both Whitchurch, Shropshire.

Employment: In 1891 Charles was a 14 year old errand boy working for the Post. Ten years later he was a baker’s van man and in 1911 he was employed by a baker and confectioner. In 1939 he was listed as a general labourer.

Died: 1960 in Whitchurch aged 83.

Military Details

Regiment: 584 Agricultural Company (part of Labour Corps)

Rank: Private

Service Number: 507513

Date of Enlistment: Not known

Date of Discharge: After spring 1919

Reason for Discharge: Not known

Medals and Awards: Not known

Other Information: May possibly have served in India 1897-1898.

The Agricultural Companies were made up of men generally unfit for front line service (either due to wounds or from the beginning of their army service). Some had previous farming experience while others were sent to work on the farms with very limited knowledge.