Charles Matthew Britten
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
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Charles Matthew Britten (junior) was born in 1897 at Farndon and was the son of Charles Matthew Britten (senior) a foundry labourer and Amelia Britten née Pearson of 112, Beacon Hill, Newark. His father Charles Matthew was born in 1873 at Fiskerton and his mother Amelia Pearson was born in 1874 also at Fiskerton, they were married in 1894 at Newark and went on to have 13 children, sadly 5 were to die in infancy or early childhood, their surviving children were , John Henry b1896, Charles Matthew b1897, Amelia b1898 May b1899, Emily b1903, Leonard b1909, Edith b1910 and Fred b1911 all were born at Farndon. In the 1911 census the family are living at Farndon and are shown as Charles Matthew 38 yrs 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 a scholar, Leonard 2 yrs, Edith 1 year and Fred 6 months of age.
Private Charles Matthew Britten enlisted on 10th November 1914 at Newark, he gave his age as 18 yrs and his occupation as that of a labourer , his next of kin was his father Charles Matthew of Farndon. He was posted to the 2/8th Sherwood Foresters Regiment with the service number 3016. On 14th August 1916 he was discharged from the Sherwood Foresters in order to join the Machine Gun Corps. He embarked from Folkstone on 13th September 1916 and landed the following day at Boulogne. He served with the 9th Company, Machine Gun Corps with the service number 53307. On 20th July 1918 he was admitted to field hospital with a gun shot wound to his spine causing paraplegia. He was returned to England on 1st August 1918 and admitted to King George's Hospital London but died from his wounds on 22nd August 1918. His body was retuned to his parents who buried him at Newark-upon-Trent Cemetery, Nottinghamshire
His older brother John Henry Britten enlisted on 9th November 1914 at Newark, he was 19 yrs and 2 months and was an iron foundry labourer. He served with the service number 305873 in the1/8th battalion Sherwood Foresters Regiment. He served on the Western Front and was discharged from the Army on 27th March 1919 , his discharged address was 112 Beacon Hill, Newark. Article published on 4th September 1918 in the Newark Advertiser :- Second son of Charles Matthew & Amelia Britten, 112 Beacon Hill, Newark. A native of Farndon and attending school there. A member of the boy scouts, becoming patrol leader. On leaving school was employed by Mr W.R. Brockton, until enlisting on Nov. 10th, 1914 in the 2/8th Sherwood Foresters. Served through Irish rebellion, before being discharged. Re-enlisted in MGC and trained at Belton Park before going to France in 1916. On July 19th went over the top with officer to the emplacement for guns. But were observed and fired upon, the officer deciding to turn back. It was discovered that he had left his kit behind and Britten returned to fetch it but was hit. The officer was carrying him to safety, when he too was hit. Mr & Mrs Britten were able to visit their son in King George’s Hospital, Stamford Street, London before he died. Elder brother, Pte John Henry Britten, 1/8th Sherwood Foresters, was wounded on Aug. 31st, 1915.
