Charles Slack

Note: CWGC and other military records give his rank as Private, but notices of his death in the local paper in 1918 record his rank as sergeant. Served in the 1st Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment. The 1st Battalion was in Portsmouth when war was declared and mobilised for BEF France, landing in Le Havre on 14 August 1914. According to a newspaper report of his deth, Charles Slack enlisted in 1916 and joined the Lincolnshire Regiment early in the December. After training he served in Ireland before being drafted to France in January 1917. Charles was killed by a shell on 26 September 1918. He is buried at Gouzeaucourt New British Cemetery, Nord. France (grave ref. II.A.18). The history of the cemetery indicates that Charles' grave was brought in from either another cemetery or the Cambrai battlefield. CWGC - History of Gouzeacourt New British Cemetery (extract): Gouzeaucourt lies 15km from the town of Cambrai and 15km from the town of Peronne. 'Gouzeaucourt village was captured by the 8th Division on the night of 12-13 April 1917. It was lost on 30 November 1917 in the German counterattack at the end of the Battle of Cambrai, and recaptured the same day by the 1st Irish Guards. It was lost again on 22 March 1918, attacked by the 38th (Welsh) Division on the following 18 September, and finally retaken by the 21st Division on 8 October. The cemetery was begun in November 1917, taken over by the Germans in 1918, and used again by Commonwealth forces in September and October 1918, but the original burials (now in Plot III) are only 55 in number. It was enlarged after the Armistice when graves were brought in from other cemeteries and from the battlefield of Cambrai.' (www.cwgc.org)

CWGC headstone personal inscription: 'He sacrificed his all for those he loved' CWGC Additional information: 'Son of Charles and Augusta Slack, of 7, Dagmar Grove, Beeston, Nottingham.' Beeston Gazette and Echo, 26 October 1918: ‘Military Medallist Killed. News has this week reached Mr and Mrs Slack, of 7, Dagmar grove, Beeston, that their son, Sergt. C Slack of the Lincolns, was killed in action in France on September 26. He was only 20 years of age, and has rendered distinguished service in the war, having been awarded the Military Medal.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Beeston Gazette and Echo, 2 November 1918: ‘Military Medallist Killed in Action. Another of Beeston’s heroic lads has made the supreme sacrifice for King and country, and much sympathy will be extended to Mr and Mrs Slack, of 7, Dagmar grove, on the death of their youngest son, Sergt. Charles Slack, who is officially reported as having been killed on September 26. The only details the bereaved parents have so far as to how Sergt. Slack met his sad end are contained in a letter from a friend, who states that a shell burst and hit him on the head, death apparently being instantaneous. A few weeks before e was killed, Sergt. Slack, with becoming pride, wrote to his parents, informing them that he had been called before the OC who had told him that he had been awarded the Military Medal, and that hew as at that time wearing the coveted ribbons. He added that the Medal would be presented to him later, but, unfortunately, death has intervened and ended a most promising career. The late Sergt. Slack, who was only 20 years of age, was born at Duffield, Derbyshire, and with his parents came to live at Beeston some ten years ago. He joined the Lincolns on December 5, 1916, and after undergoing a course of training at Brocton Camp, was sent to Ireland, subsequently joining a draft for France on January 2, 1918. He was sent into the trenches on January 7, and has been wounded once, but only slightly, whilst he was also taken ill and spent a short time in hospital. He was promoted to Lance-Corporal at Brocton, and was further promoted to full Corporal and then Sergeant in France. Prior to enlisting Sergt. Slack was employed at the Beeston Foundry. He has a brother (Gunner Albert Slack), who has been in the RFA nearly three years.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Beeston Gazette and Echo, ‘In Memoriam.’ 27 September 1919: ‘Slack. In loving memory of Sergt. C Slack MM, 1st Lincolnshire Regiment, who was killed in action September 26, 1918, of 7, Dagmar Grove, Beeston, aged 23 years. Always in the thoughts of his loving Mother, Father and Brother. (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Beeston Gazette and Echo, ‘In Memoriam.’ 27 September 1919: ‘Slack. In loving memory of Sergt. C Slack MM, 1st Lincolnshire Regiment, who was killed in action September 26, 1918, of 7, Dagmar Grove, Beeston, aged 23 years. A year has passed dear, but you are ever in my thoughts. From your loving Fiancée, Florrie (Beeston).’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Registers of Soldiers' Effects: his father Charles was his sole legatee.