WW1 Casualty: Private 6408 Charles Critchley - Private 6408 Charles Critchley
Prescot Reporter
| Unit/Regiment |
2/4th (City of Bristol) Bn., Territorial, Gloucestershire Regiment |
| Date of Death |
02/08/1916 |
Age at Death |
19 |
Burial/Memorial
& Reference |
Merville Communal Cemetery
XI A 11 |
| CWGC Family Details (if shown) |
Son of George and Margaret Critchley, of 1, Saggersons Court, Moss St., Prescot, Lancs |
| Census Details |
1901 Census -
Living at No 1 House, Saggersons Court, Prescot, were George Critchley, a 35 year old coal miner, his wife Margaret (31)and children Kate (1), Charles (5) and Winifred (1)
1911 Census -
George Critchley, a 47 year old Collier at Lea Green, and his wife Margie (45) lived at 2, Saggersons Court, Moss Street, Prescot. They had been married for 21 years and of their 12 children, 6 were still living, 5 of them at home. Charles was 15 and working as a Grocer's Assistant. Also present were Winifred (11), Sarah (9), Gertrude (6) and George (1). |
| SDGW - Where Born |
Prescot, Lancs |
| Enlisted |
Prescot |
| How Died |
Died of Wounds |
Theatre of War |
France & Flanders |
| Research Ref. No. |
P063 |
Service DetailsCharles Critchley was born in Prescot on 12th November 1895, the son of George and Maggie Critchley
He originally signed up as Private 1884 with the 2/5th Bn., South Lancashire Regiment and went to France with them sometime after January 1916. On an unknown date, but probably soon after arriving in France, he then transferred to the 2/4th Bn of the Gloucester Regiment.
This Battalion moved to Laventie on 24th July 1916. One "Other Rank" was wounded on the 27th, then on 29th Capt Foot and 1 Other Rank were killed (they appear to have been opposite the Sugarloaf which is noted that they fired rifle grenades at). 1 Other Rank was wounded on the 31st, then the battalion came out of the line until 5th August, when they relieved the 2/6th Gloucs in the Fauquissart Left Sub Sector. They completed their relief at 3.55 pm with 1 OR wounded. On 6 Aug it is noted "GOC Divn called at Headquarters" and that day 1O/R was killed and 5 wounded.
It seems likely that Pte Critchley was wounded on or before the 2nd. His burial in Merville coincides with the presence of two Casualty Clearing Stations (7 and 54) being based there at the time.
Prescot Reporter, 11/08/1916
"Mr. and Mrs. George Critchley of Moss Street, Prescot, have received official confirmation that their son, Pte. Charles Critchley, who was recently wounded in France, died on the 2nd inst. In the London Casualty Clearing Station in France. The nurse in charge of the station, in a note to Mrs. Critchley, said that her son made a splendid fight for life. He was a fine patient, so brave and anxious not to be any trouble, and in every way he was a son to be proud of."
A Family Notice from the Prescot Reporter
Prescot Reporter 14th September 1917
Charles Critchley's Medal Index Card shows his original service with the South Lancashire Regiment
Charles Critchley's grave at Merville
Picture courtesy and copyright of "Ponte Fractus", a Pal of the Great War Forum
The Register of Soldiers Effects, shown below, recorded that Charles mother, Margaret, was his next of kin
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