Private Charles William Henry Dillistone
| Date of Birth | c. 1898 |
|---|---|
| Age at Death | 19 |
| Date of Death | 14 June1917 |
| Service Number | 225098 |
| Military Service | 1st Battalion Royal Fusiliers London Regiment |
| Merton Address | 2 Dorset Villas, Devonshire Road, Merton |
| Local Memorial | Mitcham War Memorial |
Additional Information
Born in Clapham c.1898, Charles was baptised at St. Andrew’s Church, Stockwell on 29 May that year. He was the second son of John Crick and Minnie Dillistone. The couple had five other children - an older son, Cecil, plus four younger offspring – Winston, Grace, Doris and Reginald. Over the years John Crick held a number of different jobs in order to support his growing family. These included employment as a clerk, a wine merchant and even a publicity manager for a film manufacturer.
By 1911, the family had moved from Clapham and set up home at 2 Dorset Villas, a property in Devonshire Road, Colliers Wood. Charles was now aged 13 and still at school. He later found work as a grocer’s boy.
Charles signed up for military service on 8 May, 1916. At the time of enlistment, he was working as a cinema operator. He became a private in the 1st Battalion of the London Regiment, which was later attached to the 12th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers. He was killed in Flanders, aged just 24. He is commemorated on the Menin Gate at Ypres and his name also appears on the Mitcham War Memorial on Lower Green West.