Charles Edward Wiltshire
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Charles Edward Wiltshire was born in 1900 in Netherfield and was the son Of Richard a railway guard and Lizzie Wiltshire née Bend of 94, Dunstan St., Netherfield, Nottingham. His father Richard was born in 1866 in Peterborough and his mother Lizzie Bend was also born in 1866 in Bottesford, Leicestershire, they were married in 1888, their marriage was recorded in the Grantham Registration District, they went on to have 5 children, sadly 1 died in infancy their surviving children all born in Netherfield were, Richard William b1893, Kitty b1893, Edith May b1897 and Charles Edward b1900. In the 1911 census the family are living at 94 Dunstan Street, Netherfield, Nottingham and are shown as Richard 45 yrs a railway guard he is living with his wife Lizzie 45 yrs and their children Richard William 18 yrs a cotton mill labourer, Edith May 14 yrs and Charles Edward 1 yr.
Private Charles Edward Wiltshire enlisted at Nottingham on 16th March 1915 giving the false age of 18 years and 62 days (he was born in 1900) he gave his occupation as man servant and his address as 94 Dunstan Street, Netherfield his next of kin was his father Richard of the same address. He served with the 3rd battalion Sherwood Foresters Regiment. His true age was eventually discovered and on 20th September 1916 at Sunderland he was discharged from the Army for having made a misstatement as to his age on enlistment. It would appear that as soon as he was old enough he joined the Royal Air Force and as Cadet Charles Edward Wiltshire, was stationed with the 58th Training Depot Station, Royal Air Force. He was killed following an aerial collision at Cranwell on 19th August 1918. He is buried in Carlton Cemetery.
Following is taken from RAF Casualty Cards at RAF Museum , “The cause of the accident was in our opinion due to both instructors not keeping a proper look-out. Both instructors & both pupils were on duty at the time. From the evidence we are of the opinion that the pilot of D.H.6 No. 2783 [not Wiltshire] was not following the rules of the aerodrome to the effect that the only left-hand circuits must be made.” In memoriam published 19th August 1919 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- “WILTSHIRE. – In loving memory of Sec.-Lieut. Wiltshire (Charley), R.A.F., who was killed while flying at Cranwell on August 19th, 1918, the beloved youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Wiltshire, Dunstan-street, Netherfield. – From his loving father and mother, brother and sisters, and Grace. “WILTSHIRE. – In ever-loving memory of Sec.-Lieut. C. Wiltshire, R.A.F., killed August 19th, 1918. – Grandma, granddad, auntie, uncle, cousins, Babs, Elsie, and Frank. “WILTSHIRE. – In loving memory of Lieut. Chas. Wiltshire, who was killed on August 19th, 1918. – Auntie, uncle, and Jackie.” All above information is courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918
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