Charles Alfred Green

Private Charles Alfred Green, 8th Battalion North Staffordshire Regiment, was killed in action 27th February 1917 (though it appears from the following accounts that he received his fatal wounds during the night of 26th/27th February).

Originally a member of 11th Battalion Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regiment, he was wounded whilst serving with that unit in July 1916 – almost certainly 1st July – and transferred to the North Staffordshire Regiment after recovering from his wounds.

Following is an article published in the Notts Free Press dated 30th March 1917 , it reads :-

“SUTTON SOLDIER'S LAST PATROL.

“KILLED BY MACHINE-GUN FIRE.

“Another Suttonian whose name is to be added to the long list of those who have given their life for their country is Private C. A. Green, 40770, 8th Battalion North Staffs., whose home was at 24, Mason-street. Prior to enlisting in November, 1914, the deceased soldier worked at the New Hucknall Colliery. He was drafted to France in August, 1915, and was wounded in the Somme offensive the following July. After being in England a few months he was again sent to France, and met with his death on February 26th. Only a few days before his death he sent home a cheery letter saying that the war would soon be over and he would be home again. He was much respected by his battalion, as the following letters will show:-

“I am very sorry to write and tell you that your son, No. 40770 Pte. C. A. Green, was badly wounded on February 26, and died on the way to the hospital. He was engaged in reconnoitring the enemy's lines when a machine-gun opened fire on the post, wounding him in two places. He was subsequently taken back by L.Cpl. Abberley in spite of the enemy's fire to a safe position, and then sent in on a stretcher, but died before he reached the advanced medical post. He was very badly wounded in the chest, but does not seem to have suffered much pain. I need hardly say how much I sympathise with you in your loss, and everybody is sorry, as he was most popular in the company. If there is anything further I could let you know or do you must write to me. The stretcher bearers wrapped your son's body in a blanket and I buried him near where he died, and I have arranged for a cross with his name to be put up over the grave. - From Capt. A. Hill, 8th North Staffs.

“I am writing you a letter of deepest sympathy on behalf of my platoon in the loss of your beloved son. He was one of the best. We were the best of chums, and I feel his loss greatly. He would do anything risky, and was a credit to his battalion. If all the chaps were like poor Charlie we should soon be at home. You must not distress yourself; we shall meet in a far-off land, and you have the consolation that your son died a hero's death, fighting for home and right. I was his best chum, and did not live far from him, my home being in Tibshelf. Poor Charlie was liked and respected by all his platoon, and we are all distressed at losing such a good, honest, hard-working chum. He got his whilst out on patrol with me, and I went and fetched him in. When I got him in he was alive, and I could have jumped for joy, but when I heard that he had died whilst being taken down to the dressing station I could have died, too. I shall never get over it, but I shall have my revenge before long. All his parcels have been divided amongst his pals, and his personal belongings will be sent on to you.” – From L.Cpl. Abberley, who has since received the Military Medal, and been promoted Corporal.”

Above article is courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918