Charles Horace Atkins 1893 – 1915
Charles, son of Charles Horace and Emily (née Smith), had his birth registered in the 3rd quarter of 1893, in the Chertsey district of Surrey. He was the first son, and second of the seven children they had, all of whom were born in Lyne near Chertsey. The 1901 Census gave the family living in Lyne, by which time he had 3 younger siblings, with Charles senior employed as a labourer. They were living in Worthing in 1911 and Charles junior was employed as a horseman on a farm. The family moved to Long Lane Farm somewhere between here and 1917 when Charles senior is named in local directories.
Finding War records for Charles has thrown up very little, although information from the ‘Soldiers Who Died in the Great War’ has been found.
Charles also enlisted in Croydon, like his brother Alfred, and was a private in the 2nd Battalion, The Queen’s (Royal West Surrey Regiment). His service no. was G/10797.
He was also killed in action on 25th September 1915, having disembarked on 16th March that year.
He is remembered on the Loos Memorial, with his Commonwealth War Graves Commission certificate giving his residence as Shepherdswell.