Name
Charles Watts
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
25/05/1917
24
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
53934
Machine Gun Corps (Infantry)
50th Coy.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
AUBIGNY COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION
III. G. 12.
France
Headstone Inscription
No Report
UK & Other Memorials
Not on the Elstree memorials
Pre War
Charles born in 1893 in Kensington Middx to George Watts, a builder and unknown spouse.
He married Ethel Mary Collyer on 5 Sep 1915 at the Parish Church of St John Ealing Dean.
Charles was living at 74 Elm Park Road, Church End, Finchley. At some time he lived in Elstree but no record could be found.
Wartime Service
Charles began his service with his attestation on 4 Dec 1915 as Private 16510 the Royal West Kent Regiment giving his occupation as photographer and was placed on Reserve.
He was mobilised (called forward for service) on 16 July 1916. He was transferred on 1 Dec 1916 to 50 Company Machine Gun Corps (Infantry). 50 Company MGC were assigned to 50 Brigade of 17 (Northern) Division and around late summer of 1916 were moved to the Arras Sector.
Charles crossed from Folkestone to Boulogne on 24 Oct 1916, passing through MGC Base Depot, Camiers to join 50 Coy MGC on 8 Nov 1916. Charles was likely to have been involved in the first and second Battles of the Scarpe and also the capture of Roeux (13 -14 May 1917), which were part of the Arras Offensive.
Charles was wounded on 22 May 1917 and treated at 53 Field Ambulance for shrapnel wound to head and left arm before transferring to 42 Casual Clearing Station where he died of his wounds on 25 May 1917.
Additional Information
War Gratuity of £3 and arrears of £1 12s 8d together with a pension of 13s 9d was paid to his widow.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Jonty Wild
