Born: 1879, Manningham
Died: 13 September 1917
Buried: Favreuil British Cemetery
Address: 10 Intake Road, Fagley
Parents: Joseph & Elizabeth, nee Robertshaw
Spouse: Sarah Amy, nee Graham
Siblings: Four brothers, two sisters
Occupation: Thonrbury Tram Sheds
Organisations/clubs:
Military
Rank: Pte
Medals/awards:
Rolls of Honour: Eccleshill, Park & St Luke’s
Children: Hilda, Charles, Albert
Regiment: West Riding Regt
Charlie Jefferson
Charles, known as Charlie
Jefferson was born ithe fourth child
of Joseph and Elizabeth, nee
Robertshaw.
In the 1901 census Charlie was still
living with his family and was
working as a mason’s labourer.
In 1908 he married Sarah Amy
Graham and by 1911 they were
living at 10 Intake Road, Fagley
and Charlie was working as a coach
painter.
They had two children, Hilda born
in 1909 and Charles in 1910 and
another child, Albert was born in
1914. When Charlie enlisted he
was working at Thornbury tram
sheds.
Charlie enlisted on the 23rd of
February 1916 as Private 241388 in
the 2/6th Battalion of the
Prince of Wales (West
Yorkshire Regiment).
His Regiment landed in
Le Havre in January
1917 and came under the
62nd Division which was
involved in several
engagements during that
year, in operations on the
Ancre, during the
German retreat to the Hindenburg
line and the Arras offensive which
ended in June.
His Division do not appear to have
been active during the Battle of
Ypres but Charlie was killed in
action on the 13th of September
1917. He was 37 years of age.
His wife received a letter from Lt.
A Welch who wrote “I much regret
to have to inform you that
your husband was killed
in action on the 13th
instant.
“I deeply sympathise with
you at your loss, for
anyone, whatever his
position in life, who met
your husband instantly
recognised in him
qualities much to be
admired.
“He has been under me now nearly
two years and never once in that
period did I have to doubt either
him or any work that was given
him to do.
“He was interred with, I regret to
say, many others in a cemetery,
many of his friends and most of the
officers being present. His fellow
pioneers are making a cross and I
can assure you that I will see that
his grave is properly kept and
fenced around.
“Please accept my deepest
sympathy in your great trouble but
do have the consolation – he died
nobly in a good cause and did not
give his life in vain”.
Charlie is buried in Favreuil British
Cemetery which was begun in
April 1917 and used until March
1918 by fighting units, particularly
of the 62nd (West Riding) Division
and Field Ambulances.
He left his effects to his widow
Sarah who received £4.4.4d on the
28th of January 1918 and a War
Gratuity of £12.0.0d on the 31st of
October 1919.
.
Researched and written by Jean
Britteon, to whom many thanks
