Charles Matthew Britten
Employed by W R Brockton of Farndon.
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
Charles Matthew Britten was born in Farndon in 1896 he was baptised on 28th December 1896 at St Peters Church, Farndon, he was the son of Charles Matthew and Amelia Britten, of 112, Beacon Hill, Newark.
His father Charles Matthew was born in 1873 at Fiskerton, his mother Amelia Pearson was born in 1874 at Fiskerton, they were married on 24th September 1894 at St Peters Church, Farndon they went on to have 13 children, sadly 5 were to die ininfancy or early childhood.
In the 1911 census the family are living at Farndon, Charles Matthew 38 yrs is a foundry labourer he is living with his wife Amelia 37 yrs and their children, John Henry 15 yrs an agricultural labourer, Charles Matthew 14 yrs an agricultural labourer, May 12 yrs a scholar, Emily 9 yrs, Leonard 2 yrs, Edith 1 year old and Fred 6 months old.
Private Charles Matthew Britten enlisted 10th November 1914 at Newark, he was 18 yrs old and a labourer, he served in the 2/8th Bn Sherwood Foresters.
Served during the Irish Rebellion
Discharged from the Sherwood Foresters in Ireland at The Curragh on 14th August 1916.
Re enlisted Machine Gun Corp embarking on 14th August 1916 and embarked from Folkstone on 12th September 1916 landing at Bouglogne the same day.
Served in France for 2 years.
19th July 1918 went over the top with an officer to a forward gun emplacement, they were spotted in the open by the enemy and came under heavy fire. The officer said they better turn back, on reaching their lines Cpl Britten realised he had dropped some kit. He returned to fetch it and was shot in the back returning. The officer went to help and was also wounded. Removed to General Hospital Boulogne later returned to the UK, King Georges Hospital, London on 1st August 1918, He died of his wounds on 22nd August 1918 with his parents at his bedside. He was buried at Newark upon Trent Town Cemetery
His brother John henry Britten 1/8th Bn Sherwood Foresters wounded in France 31st August 1915.
additional research and information Peter Gillings
CWGC Gravestone, Newark
Gary Tranter - 2014
Photo of Charles Matthew Britten
Photo of Charles Matthew Britten