Name
Charles Wilsher (MM)
17 June 1892
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
02/05/1916
23
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
17514
Bedfordshire Regiment
7th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Military Medal
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
CARNOY MILITARY CEMETERY
K.16
France
Headstone Inscription
N/A
UK & Other Memorials
Tewin Village Memorial, St Peter’s Church Muster Roll, Tewin
Pre War
Charles Wilsher was born on 17 June 1892 in Lower Green, Tewin, Herts, the son of John and Emily Wilsher, and baptised on 10 July 1892 at Tewin. He was one of nine children.
On the 1901 Census the family were living at Upper Green, Tewin, Herts where his father was a ploughman on a farm. He was educated at Tewin Cowper Endowed School and later employed at Mr Titmus' farm on the Cowper Estate and on the railway in Yorkshire. He remained living with his family at Tewin on the 1911 Census at which time he was working as farm labourer.
His father died in 1916 and his mother later lived at 88 Hartley Road, Luton, Beds and 3 Tasso Road, Hammersmith, W6.
Wartime Service
He enlisted in October 1914 and served in the Machine Gun Section of the 7th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment in France from 25 July 1915. He was awarded a certificate of bravery for gallant conduct and devotion to duty on 18 Jan 1916 and was also awarded the Military Medal in June 1916 for gallant and distinguished service in the field. (London Gazette date 2 June 1916, Supplement 29608, Page 5598.)
Charles died at Carnoy from wounds received in action near Bray the previous day while on sentry duty and is buried in Carnoy Military Cemetery, France.
Lieut Brown wrote: "I liked your son very much, and looked on him as one of my most trusted and best gunners... I am quite certain that had he lived, he would have won the D.C.M., or some other great distinction. He did not know what fear was, and did some splendid work out here. He was awarded a certificate of bravery signed by Major-General F. J. Maxse, Commanding 18th Division, which stated: "I have read with great pleasure the report of your Regimental Commander and Brigade Commander regarding your gallant conduct and devotion to duty in the field on 18 Jan. 1916."
He is listed in the De Ruvigny Roll of Honour.
Additional Information
His mother received a war gratuity of £6 10s and pay owing of £2 16s 2d. She also received a pension of 10 shillings a week in respect of Charles and his brother William who is also named on the Tewin Memorial.
William was killed on 20 September 1917 and is named on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium.
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer, Derry Warners
Brenda Palmer, Paul Johnson, www.bedfordregiment.org.uk
