CRICH PARISH

Crich, Fritchley, Whatstandwell, Bullbridge, Crich Carr, Coddington, Wheatcroft, Wakebridge

Charles Francis Holmes (1898–1918) ✞

Private

Biography
Charles was born at Crich in 1898, the son of William and Eliza Holmes. He enlisted while working at Lea Mills, joining the King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry in February 1917. His record states that he died on 7th February 1918 and is buried at Tincourt New British Cemetery. He is also remembered on the Lea Mills Memorial and on the Crich War memorials inside and outside St Mary’s Church.

On the original, badly damaged, Lea Mills Roll of Honour there used to be a small photograph of Charles. This would probably have been taken from the set of three postcards produced showing most of the volunteers. A possible unidentified photograph from that set is as follows:

Medal Roll Index Card
He was awarded the British War and Victory Medals. Died

Ancestry Record
Charles Francis Holmes born Crich, enlisted at Lea Mills. Formerly 5/86739, T.R. Battn. Died.

Newspaper Report

Derbyshire Courier, 16 February 1918
CRICH CASUALTIES
Mr and Mrs William Holmes Folds Yard, Crich, received news on Tuesday that their youngest son, Private Charles Francis Holmes, K O Y L I, had died in hospital in France, the result of pneumonia. Following a telegram which stated that he was in a critical condition a letter was received from the 55th Casualty Clearing Station, BEF, as follows: "Dear Mrs Holmes, – I am so very grieved to have to tell you that your son took a turn for the worst last night, and the poor lad died at 6:45 pm he became unconscious and passed away peacefully in his sleep. I can only repeat for your consolation that nothing was spared for him. He was a good little patient, and it may gratify you to know that the sisters and orderlies are really heartbroken about him. We have had so many serious patients that it seemed all the harder. Everyone did the best for the boy. I hope you will accept our sincerest sympathy. Private Homes will be buried in the British military cemetery nearby and his personal belongings sent to you in due course. – Yours very sincerely D.P.Foster, sister in charge". The letter was dated 8 February. By sad coincidence, a field card came from Private Homes by the same post, dated 6 February, stating that he was going on well. Private HOLMES , who was 19 years of age, had been in the Army just a year. He was formerly employed at Lea Mills in the pressing department. Since being in the army he has been in hospital for about four months, having previously had an attack of pneumonia.

Commonwealth War Graves Commission

Lea Mills War Memorial

War Memorial outside St Mary's Crich

North facing panel of St Mary's War Memorial

Wall plaque inside St Mary's Church, Crich

Soldiers' Effects Book
Charles Francis Holmes; KOYLI; Private 37186; died 55 CC Station France; War Gratuity £3; paid out to:
1.5.18 father William £9 12s 9d
14.11.19 father William £3 0s0d

CENSUS INFORMATION

1901: Crich Market Place

Forename	Surname	Relationship	Age	Occupation	Where born
William	Holmes	Head	39	Labourer limestone quarry	Crich
Eliza	Holmes	wife	48		France British subject
Thomas	Taylor	son	21	Gritstone cutter	Crich
James	Taylor	son	15	Labourer	Crich
Benjamin	Taylor	son	14	Labourer	Crich
William H	Holmes	son	10	School	Crich
Florrie	Holmes	daughter	9	School	Crich
Sam Laurence	Holmes	son	6	School	Crich
Charles F	Holmes	son	2		Crich
Tamar A	Taylor	daughter	18	Domestic servant	Crich

RG13 piece 3231 folio 20 page 32

1911: Near Church, Crich

Forename	Surname	Relationship	Age	Occupation	Where born
William	Holmes	Head	49	Road foreman RDC	Crich
Eliza	Holmes	wife	53		France
Thomas	Taylor	son	31	Quarry man stone getter	Crich
Harry	Holmes	son	20	Plate layer colliery	Crich
Florence	Holmes	daughter	19		Crich
Samuel	Holmes	son	16	Gardening	Crich
Charles	Holmes	son	12	Schoolboy	Crich
Benjamin	Taylor	son (wdwr)	24	Collier hewer	Crich

RG14PN20985 RG78PN1251 RD436 SD4 ED14 SN95

 

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