Current Information:

Age-29

116, Tottenham Lane, Hornsey

The exact circumstances of the death of Charles Charlton on 21st October, 1914, are not known but artillery men faced many dangers and during the course of the war nearly 50,000 of them were killed. Their gun batteries were targeted by the enemy’s guns which accounted for many of their casualties. Others were sent forward to act as ‘spotters’ which meant going forward to the front line and signalling back to the guns necessary changes in target and other vital information. Keeping the batteries supplied with ammunition was a dangerous task as the enemy guns would target the known supply routes, especially at night. Brigade Diaries rarely shine any light on casualties sustained, unless of course they were officers and even then information is sparse.

According to the records of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Charles Charlton served with the 86th Brigade of the Royal Field Artillery and was killed in action on 21st October, 1914. There is however some error here as 86 Brigade was part of 19th Division which did not go to France until July 1915, so either the Brigade or the date is wrong/