In Memory of CHARLES EDWARD GREEN Private 39327 9th Battalion King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry Who died on Friday, 26th April 1918 Age 19 No Known Grave Panel 109 Memorial to the "Missing", Tyne Cot Cemetery, Passchendaele, West Flanders, Belgium Commemorated in Perpetuity by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission & Remembered with Honour

Memorial to the "Missing", Tyne Cot Cemetery Passchendaele, West Flanders, Belgium1

During the Great War, many men were first reported "Missing", pending some evidence of their death or the passage of time. During this period, which often continued for some time, parents, wives and other loved ones often clung to the possibility that they would be found - or that evidence would come to light to provide closure. Charles Edward Green was reported missing in April 26 1918. The following extract from the Beeston Gazette & West Notts Echo of August 2nd 1919, records the news, received by his parents some 14 months later, that his death had now been presumed :

ANOTHER HERO KILLED
The long list of England's missing sons is being shortened daily in the issue of daily reports which presume their death.

Several Beeston parents and wives have received one of these notifications since the cessation of hostilities and another name has this week to be added to the Roll of Honour in Private C. E. Green of 67, Wollaton Road, Beeston, Notts.

At the age of 18 years, "Chuck" as he was known to his many friends, enlisted in the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry the date being April 25th 1917.

On Good Friday the following year he embarked for France to shoulder the rifle, against the despicable foe, he quickly became a victim of the Hun savagery and a day after the anniversary of his 19th Birthday was reported missing, the battle of Kemmel then being in progress.

In the mist of the Peace rejoicings, sadness reigns in many homes, but consolation may be derived from the fact that a more honourable death could not have occurred than in helping to save the country from the invasion of such scientific savages.

Charles Edward (Chuck) Green was born in Ilkeston on 25th April 1899, the son of Fred and Martha Elizabeth (née Aldred) Green. Up until 1911, the family lived in Sandiacre, first with Martha's parents², later possibly in Stapleford and then at 54 Victoria Road Sandiacre³. Fred eventually worked as a lace maker and his trade probably led to the family's move to Beeston in the summer of 1911. On 3rd July 1911, Charles registered at Nether Street School⁴ to continue his education; he left there on 5th April 1913 to find employment in the Beeston area.

Later, the family moved to 11 Enfield Street, Beeston, the address recorded in the records of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

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Footnotes
¹The photograph of the Tyne Cot Memorial & Cemetery is from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website. (http://www.cwgc.org)
²Fred and Martha married in 1898, probably in Ilkeston; at the time of the census in 1901, they were living, with Charles Edward (then age 1) at Stanton Lane, Sandiacre with Marth's parents, Abraham and Annie Aldred. Fred was then self employed as a metal engraver. (1901 Census - Piece 3208 Folio 102)
³The family was resident at this addess at the time of the 1911 Census. The family then consists of Fred Green (age 36), working as a lace maker, Martha Elizabeth Green(age 34), Charles Edward Green (age 11), attending school, Matilda Green (age 8) and Percy Ashmead Green (age 6). (1911 Census - Piece 1244 RD434 SD4 ED19 Schedule 141)
⁴He was recorded in the School Admissions Register as No 4029

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