Rifleman Charles Mitchell

Charles Mitchell was born on 27th January 1897 to parents Alfred and Susan (nee Pratt). His parents had married in Lambeth in 1883 and by the time Charles and twin brother Ernest arrived they already had five boys: Alfred, Henry, Frederick, William and Albert.

The twins were baptised at their local church, St. Bartholomew in Battersea on 25th October 1899. The family lived at various addresses all in Wickersley Road Battersea. Charles’s father worked in the drinks industry first as a Cellar man then as a Potman.

The children all attended Holden Street School with Charles and his twin being registered on 11th February 1902 aged 5.

Charles’s father died in1905 and was buried in Morden Cemetery.

By 1911 Charles's mother Susan, now a Widow was living with her four youngest boys in 4 rooms at 51 Wickersley Road. Of eight children born to her one had died. Two of her children were working: William aged 20 as an Optical Instrument Maker and Albert 16, an Assistant Optical Instrument Maker. Ernest and Charles were still at school.

Conscription came into force in March 1916 for all men aged 18-41. At this time Charles would have been aged 19. He enlisted with the 9th (County of London) Battalion Regiment also known as the Rangers. Then joined with the 16th and was finally listed as being a rifleman with the 12th Battalion.

The 12th Battalion (The Rangers) London Regiment were in action in 1917 during the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the battle of Arras in April then the battle of Langemarck in August.

A War record report shows Charles was entitled to wear a wound stripe: He died of wounds in Hospital in Gosforth on 4th September 1917 aged 20.

Charles was buried in Morden Cemetery and his name also appears on a stone memorial cross in the church yard.