NEALE, Charlie


No. G/21186, Private, Charlie NEALE
Aged 23


7th Battalion, The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment)
formerly No.26929, Private, Middlesex Regiment
Killed in Action presumed on Thursday, 28th September 1916



Charlie Neale was born in Elveden on 6th November 1892( Mildenhall Q4-1892 4A:713) son of Elizabeth Neale ( married Walter Adams in 1894).

He was admitted to Elveden Voluntary Aided Primary School on 18th April 1898, parent Elizabeth Adams of Spink's Lodge.

1901 census...Aged 8, he was at Warren Lodge, Elveden with his grandfather William NEALE [59] a forester born Brandon; his grandmother Mary Ann [57] born Brandon; uncles Albert NEALE [22]and James NEALE [20] both farm labourers born in Elveden.
Charlie's mother may have been the widow Elizabeth Adams [26] in the Thetford Workhouse.(Walter Frederick Adams [24] died in Thetford 1897)

1911 census...Aged 18, a roadman on estate, he was at Spink's Lodge, Elveden with his grandparents William and Mary NEALE, uncle James and uncle Albert with aunt Agnes (née SPINK ?)[37] born Hessett ( married 1 year )and a cousin Edith [9] born Mildenhall whose parentage is not recorded.

He married Aggie ADAMS [18-10-1890] (Thetford Q1-1915 4B:616). His widow was later at Wangford Warren, Brandon



He enlisted in Bury St.Edmunds.
On the 28th September at 1 pm the battalion assaulted the SCHWABEN REDOUBT and took the south side.
On the 29th the held the gained ground with continuous close quarter fighting. At night the battalion was relieved by the 8th East Surrey and went to North Bluff.
The war diary puts the casualties for the 28th/29th at 1 officer killed, 10 wounded, other ranks 44 killed, 1 missing p killed, 251 wounded, 1 missing and wounded, 87 missing. Total 384.

CWGC records show 98 killed on 28th and 39 of them have identified graves.

click here to access a more detailed account


The Bury Free Press of 25th August 1917 reported :-
FORMER ELEVEDEN V.A.D. MAN REPORTED KILLED
The news that Prvt Charles Neale, Surrey Regiment, a native of Elveden, was missing on September 18th 1916, was recently received by his wife,Mrs. Neale. She is now officially notified he is believed killed on or about that date in France. He was 23 years of age, and before enlisting was employed at Elveden Hall, by Lord Iveagh. He was also a member of Elveden V.A.D.. He was the grandson of Mr. William Neale, Spinks Lodge, Elveden. After he enlisted Mrs Neale removed from Broom House to the village of Wangford. The deceased soldier was greatly respected.



Charlie Neale is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, pier and face 5D/6D
and also on the Weather Heath Memorial (Elveden Column by the A11)

click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details


BACK