Name
Charles Handscombe
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Biography
Parish and census records suggest two possible men; however the Hertfordshire Express of May 19th 1917 reports Charles as being the brother of Frank and Joseph. From this information, it is clear that Charles was the son of George and Martha Handscombe (née Dawson) and baptised on August 3rd 1884. He would have been twenty at the outbreak of war.
Charles lived with his parents and siblings in a thatched cottage set back from Shillington Road, which was near to the present number fifteen. Baptism and census records list ten children including Bertie (b c1879), Frisby (b c1881), Charles (bapt 1884), Jane (b 1885), Frederick (b 1888), Emma (b 1890), Sidney (b 1891), Frank (b 1893), Joseph (b 1896) and Hedley (b 1900). At least four sons served; Charles, Hedley and Frank and Joseph. Both Frank and Joseph were killed.
The Hertfordshire Express of May 19th, 1917 reports Charles as being discharged from training due to illness.
Acknowledgments
Text from the book ‘The Pride of Pirton’ by Jonty Wild, Tony French & Chris Ryan used with author's permission.
