Charles Chester Sefton
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Charles was born in 1886 in Doncaster and was the son of William Frederick, a brewery commercial traveller and Sarah Jane Sefton and the brother of John 1886 , Jeannie b1884, Cecil b1891 (killed in action 5/7/16 ), Sidney b1888, Percy b1890 (killed in action 22/8/1918) and Doris Irene Sefton b1893. Both William born in 1857 and his wife Sarah Jane born 1859 were born in Spalding, the family moved to Doncaster in the 1890's and their first five children were born there. Around 1895 they finally move to the Newark area and in 1896 their daughter Doris is born in the town. In the 1911 census the family are living at 9 Spring Gardens Newark , William is shown as head of the family 54 years and a commercial traveller in the brewery trade, he is living at the address with his wife Sarah Jane and their children, Cecil ,Doris and Sydney. The family later moved to Maple Dene Lime Grove Newark. The family must have been proud when following the outbreak of war four of their sons joined the colours in order to fight in the war, however their pride would soon turn to grief as Cecil was killed in action in France on 5th July 1916. Thankfully their next son to serve Sydney who enlisted on 13th November 1915 was to be discharged from the 4th bn London Scottish Regiment due to medical reasons on 3rd July 1916. Further tragedies were to come, when first Charles Chester was killed in action on 31st March 1918 and then Percy was killed in action on 22nd August 1918 , a terrible toll had been dealt on this family from which they would possibly never fully recover. Charles's probate was proven with a will on 3rd January 1919 at Nottingham, he is shown as Charles Chester Sefton of Newark Upon Trent, Corporal in His Majesty's Army, died 31st March 1918 at the military hospital Cantin. His effects of £198 1 shilling 8 pence were left to his father William Frederick Sefton , brewey traveller.
Charles enlisted in London , although he stated he was residing in Newark, Nottinghamshire, at the time and served with the 2/5th battalion Sherwood Foresters where he attained the rank of Corporal. He died from wounds on 31st March 1918 at the Military Hospital at Cantin. He is buried at Cabaret-Rouge British Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France.
Article published in the Newark Herald on 7th December 1918 :- Second son of Mr & Mrs Sefton of Newark. Died of wounds in the Military Hospital at Canten. He had previously been reported missing since the German offensive of March 21st. Previous to going to France he had served in the Dardanelles and was invalided home with enteric. Joined the army in Jan. 1915. Before the war was in the Notts. (Territorial) Royal Horse Artillery.
