Harold Charles Daffen
- Family History
- Military History
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Charles Daffen of Retford married Annie Lawton in 1892. Charles took up the position of bank manager and was resident at Old Bank, Bridge Street, Worksop. Two years after they were married Charles and Annie had their only child whom they named Harold Charles Daffen who was born in Worksop (birth registered Worksop). His parents were still living in Worksop in 1911 and his father was still working as a bank manager. However, Harold, now 17, was a boarder at the King Edward VI Grammar School, Retford. His education continued at Sheffield University.
Lieut: H.C. Daffen Worksop Guardian May 5 1916The tragic news was conveyed by telegram to Mr Daffen from the Records Office, Lichfield, the text of which were as follows, ”Regret to inform you, War Office wires, Leiut. H.C. Daffen-8th Sherwood Foresters, was killed in action on the 26th, Lord Kitchener expresses his sympathy”. Mrs Daffen was away from home at Nottingham when the message arrived, and it fell to her Husband’s lot to have to convey the distressing news to her. Daffen was educated at Retford Grammar School, following which he spent a year at Sheffield University. Here he joined the O.T.C.and very early demonstrated his ability as a marksman, being the best shot of the year. He went from Sheffield to become a student at ------er College, Oxford, and would have been entitled to take B.A. Degree at the end of the war. Here also he became a member of O.T.C, and was granted an army commission in October, 1914, as second Lieutenant, but he was then promoted to his full Lieutenancy. He again demonstrated his good qualities as a shot and obtained Distinction in Musketry at ____ in 1915. He was then appointed Musketry Officer to his Battalion, and Instructor in the use of the range finder, in which duties he was most proficient. Lieut: Daffen was very musical, and his interest in Music went so far to induce him to become secretary to the Batt: Band. He was a most promising officer and deservedly popular with both his brother officers and the rank and file of his company, of which, by coincidence, he was in command at the time of the fatal Irish Expedition owing to the illness of his Captain. Lieut: Daffen was an only _______ a circumstance which augmented, could to be possible, The sympathy expressed on all ______ with his parents. It will, we hope, afford some solace to know that the towns people feel for them in their great sorrow, and lament the loss of one whose future seemed so full of promise. Lieut: Daffen was interred with his brother officers in Dublin on Friday.He was buried in Grangegorman Military Cemetery, Republic of Ireland.
THE INSURRECTION IN IRELAND CONSPIUOUS BRAVERY Worksop Guardian May 5th 1916LIEUT. DAFFEN KILLED LIEUT. ELLIOT AND MEN WOUNDED.The insurrection in Ireland, which, after a few days determined resistance, has happily now been quelled, will be long remembered in Worksop and North Notts with feeling of pride and sorrow pride that our Territorial’s underwent their baptism of fire with the bravery of seasoned soldiers, sorrow that so many officers and men were killed and other’s wounded. In all, four officers of the 8th Sherwood Forester’s (Notts and Derbys) were killed and fourteen wounded. Amongst the former was Lieutenant Harold Daffen, son of Mr. and Mrs. Daffen, Old Bank House, Worksop, and amongst the wounded is Lieutenant Elliot, son of Mr. and Mrs. A.E. Elliott, Sparken Worksop. Companies of the Sherwood Foresters had been swiftly despatched to Ireland on the outbreak of rebellion in Dublin. They were apparently amongst the first of the English Regiments to arrive, and took a prominent part in quelling the rising. Those soldiers who have seen considerable service in France say, the Irish business was more trying, difficult, and dangerous. It was street fighting of a peculiar bitter and dangerous kind. The rebels knew every point of advantage, the range and the sweep of fire, and dominating positions, and were acting in accordance with carefully thought-out and concerted plans. Further than this, they were flushed with success and insolent in Victory. Up to the time of writing, no details are available as to the manner in which Lieutenant Daffen met his death. All that is known which any definiteness is, that he was leading his Company in the absence of his Captain through illness. They were met by a hail of bullets; but never faltering, the brave Territorials, led by their young officers, and held their ground. The rebels' snipers aimed especially at the officers. Lieutenant Daffen and three other officers were killed, and Lieutenant Elliott, who had been quartered in England with Lieut. Daffen, and had gone out with him, was wounded.Was one of 31 men of the Sherwood Foresters who was killed in the Irish Rebellion 1916. CWGC additional information:- Son of Charles E. and A. Daffen, of 29, Park St., Worksop, Notts.Buried Grangegorman Military Cemetery, Republic of Ireland.Research by Colin Dannatt
