No.30391, Private, Charles Alfred BENTLEY
Aged 31
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Charles Alfred BENTLEY was born in Widdington, Essex in 1886 (Saffron Walden Q4-1886 4A:604), son of Alfred and Betsy BENTLEY (née DENNISON). 1891 census...Aged 4, he was at Ringer's Road, Widdington, Essex with his father Alfred BENTLEY, [30] farm foreman born Debden; his mother Betsy [29]; brothers James W [7] and George F [1]. All except his father were born in Widdington. 1901 census...Aged 14, a stockman on farm, he was at Thrift's Farn, Chetter End, Farnham, Essex with his parents; brothers James (horseman), Frank [11] born Widdington and Francis [3] born Rickling, Essex; sister Ethel [8] born Furneaux Pelham, Hertfordshire. 1911 census...Aged 24, shepherd, he was at Streetly End, West Wickham with his parents; brothers George (farm labourer), Francis and Herbert [9] born Farnhma, Essex; sisters Ethel and Mary [3] born West Wickham. All seven siblings survive. His father died in 1915 and his mother moved to Lolworth, Cambs according to CWGC. That must have been before the raising of the pension card as she is still at Streetly End Farm on the card. |
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He enlisted in Haverhill. Since he died of his wounds and no service record has been found it is impossible to say where or when he was
wounded. He is however known to have been wounded in the 1st day of the Somme and evacuated to hospital in Stockport. He returned to France,
to the 9th Battalion. At some time he was transferred to the 9th Loyal North Lancashire Regiment and was home on leave in March 1918.
The battalion had been in action at Lhery, between Rheims and the River Marne in the closing days of May 1918. The war diary for June 1918
has not been found on line.
photo: Commonwealth War Graves Commission click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
