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This data is related to World War 1
T/Major

Charles Walter Merryweather

Service Number N/A
Military Unit 16th Bn Lancashire Fusiliers
Date of birth 31 May 1880
Date of Death 23 Nov 1916 (36 Years Old)
Place of Birth Retford
Employment, Education or Hobbies He was educated at Retford Grammar School and spent a short period in France and Germany learning the languages. He later attended Trinity College, Cambridge where he had been a member of the University Rifle Corps. He graduated with an honours degree in modern languages. He was a teacher at Manchester Grammar School. Locally, he lived with his friend and colleague, Charles Fry at Hill Top Avenue Cheadle Hulme.
Family History

Charles was the son of Charles James a gentleman's outfitter and Emily Miller Merryweather (née Cole). In 1901 the family was living at 22, Bridgegate, Retford. By 1911, Charles was living as a boarder with Alfred and Harriet Grainger at 'Manor Villas; Manor Stree.t Urmaston. Manchester. In his probate record dated 19/07/1917 in London he was shown as Charles Walter Merryweather of the Square Retford and also of 4 Hill Top Ave Cheadle Hulme Cheshire. His effects of £4092 12s 8d being left to his widowed mother Emily Miller Merryweather who was living at 16 Richmond Hill Clifton Bristol following Charles's death.

Military History

Charles had been commissioned in November 1914 as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 16th Battalion (the second of the Salford Pals Battalions), quickly being promoted on the 18th of the month to temporary Lieutenant. He was again promoted on 20 January 1915 to Captain. He went overseas on active service on 22 November 1915 in command of "A" Company. He was killed , leading his men into action In France on 23rd November 1916. He has no known grave and his name is commemorated on the Thiepval memorial.

Extra Information

Captain C.W. Merryweather Worksop Guardian 15 December 1916'We regret to record the loss of another former pupil of Retford Grammer School, killed in action in France, on November 23rd, -Captain C.W. Merryweather, son of a most highly esteemed Retford gentleman, the late Mr. J. C. Merryweather.The following article is taken from the 'In memoriam' section of the 'Retfordian' the King Edward V1 School Retford magazine-Charles Walter Merryweather (M.A. Cantab) gazetted Major a few days after his death, fell while bravely leading his men into action on November 23rd 1916. After a most successful career at the Retford School, he lived for a time in France and Germany, and then entered Trinity College Cambridge, where he took his degree with honours in the Modern language Tripos. When war broke out he was modern language master at Manchester Grammar School. He was gazetted Lieutenant in the 16th Lancashire Fusiliers in November 1914, and promoted Captain in the following January. His influence for good over boys at school was great and wonderful, and over men of his company not less so.'

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