Name
Charles William Mabbitt
1892
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
01/05/1915
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
9856
North Staffordshire (Prince of Wales’s) Regiment
1st Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 (Mons) Star (with Clasp & Roses), British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
ERQUINGHEM-LYS CHURCHYARD EXTENSION
I. C. 11.
France
Headstone Inscription
None
UK & Other Memorials
Baldock Town Memorial, St Mary the Virgin Church Memorial, Baldock
Pre War
Charles William Mabbitt was born in Baldock, Herts in 1892, the son of Herbert and Ellen Mabbitt and was baptised on 1 October 1892 in Baldock. He was one of five children, although he had four half siblings from his father's previous marriage.
On the 1901 Census the family were living at Norton Street, Baldock, where his father was working as a coal merchant. They remained in Baldock in 1911 but had moved to Football Close, Bygrave Lane, at which time 18 year old Charles was working as a grocer's shop assistant.
Wartime Service
He enlisted in Mill Hill, London and joined the North Staffordshire Regiment, serving with the 1st Battalion in France from 10/12 September 1914. His reg. no. of 9856 would suggest that he enlisted after March 1912.
The 1st Battalion took part in the First Battle of Ypres, being based in the Armentieres sector on the southern flank of the battle. In December 1914 it was in trenches in the Rue-de-Boise area (near Fleurbaix) and participated in the Christmas truce, where British and German soldiers met in no man's land. In March 1915 it carried out a successful action in the Battle of Neuve Chapelle, capturing the village of L'Epinette.
Charles died of wounds on 1 May 1915 and is buried in Erquingham-Lys Churchyard Extension, France.
Additional Information
His father received a war gratuity of £5 and pay owing of £10 11s 6d. His mother received a pension of 5 shillings a week.
Half brother to Alfred Mabbitt who served with the Princess Charlotte of Wales’ (Royal Berkshire) Regiment and who was killed in action on 15 March 1915.
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer
Adrian Pitts, Paul Johnson
