Charles Oliver Buxton

Charles enlisted in Sutton in Ashfield in June 1915; he was a resident of Huthwaite. He served with the 2/8th battalion of the Sherwood Foresters and went with the battalion to Dublin where he saw action during the Irish Rebellion of 1916. He went out to the Western Front in 1917. He was killed in action on 27th April 1917, age of 41 yrs. He has no known grave and his name is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme.

Charles's brother Herbert also served in the war with 17th Bn Sherwood Foresters. He died while at Wollaton camp, Nottingham, of a burst aneurism on 18th September 1915. Notts Free Press – 20th July, 1917: 'LOCAL SOLDIERS KILLED - PRIVATE C.O. BUXTON 'Official intimation of the death of Private Charles Oliver Buxton, 306322, 2/8th Sherwood Foresters, was received by his widow (Greenwood Mount, Huthwaite) last Saturday morning, following a sympathetic letter from the chaplain of the regiment. He was 41 last May, and enlisted in June, 1915, being then employed at New Hucknall Colliery. He was in Ireland 10 months of last year after the rebellion, and went to France in February of this year. He was a native of Chesterfield but had lived in Huthwaite for the last 16 years. He leaves a wife, a son of 16 years, and also an adopted grandchild.' 'The following letters have been received:- "You no doubt have heard by now that your husband is reported as missing, believed wounded, since April 27th. May I assure you of my deep sympathy with you in your trouble. If we get any news of him you shall know at once. He is highly spoken of by both officers and men, and is greatly missed. May God strengthen and comfort you, and bring you good news of your husband.-Stanley Hide, Chaplain (Church of England)" "I am sorry to tell you that there is now no doubt that you husband has been killed. His body has been found by another battalion and buried in a British cemetery not far from where he fell. May God bless and comfort you and grant him rest.-Stanley Hide, Chaplain.' Mansfield Reporter, 27 July 1917 (extract): ‘Huthwaite. Memorial Service. At the Parish Church, on Sunday morning, a memorial service was conducted by the Rev. FA Beswick, to Lance-Corporal B Bailey and Privates JW Taylor, A Tomlinson, CO Buxton, CH Moakes and J Pendleton, all Huthwaite men who have laid down their lives in the war. There was a large congregation, and there were wreaths on the roll of honour, and on the lectern and pulpit.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Following details are from a relative, John Buxton (email details available) :- 'Three of Charles Oliver's cousins, two brothers Frederic Henry and Walter Buxton and their cousin Albert Edward, also died in the war. They were part of the family who didn't make the move from Brampton Chesterfield to Sutton in Ashfield' Lance Corporal Frederick Henry Buxton (http://www.the-sherwood-foresters.co.uk/b_names/buxton_frederick_henry.html) Private Walter Buxton Royal Marine Light Infantry (http://www.everymanremembered.org/profiles/soldier/2853354/ Private Albert Edward Buxton (Military Medal) (http://www.the-sherwood-foresters.co.uk/b_names/buxton_albert_edward.html