Charles Whelton

Charles was the third son of George and Sarah Whelton (née Cook). His father George was born in Grove, Retford, in 1855 (bap. Grove St Helen), the son of Abraham and Elizabeth Whelton. His mother Sarah Cook was born in Retford in about 1861. George and Sarah were married at Retford St Saviour on 15 May 1883 and had at least eight children: John Henry b. Lound; George b. Lound; Ellen b. Sutton; Charles b. Sutton 1889; Ernest b. Sutton; Henry (Harry) b. Sutton; Annie Elizabeth (Lizzie) b. Sutton and Herbert b. Sutton. In 1891 George (35), an agricultural labourer, and Sarah (30) were living on Bingley's Row, Sutton Street, Sutton, with their children John (6), George (5), Ellen (3), Charles (2) and Ernest (under 1 year). George snr. died in 1899 (O/N/D East Retford), just months after the birth of his youngest child, Herbert. His widow continued to live in Sutton and in 1901 was living at 2 Bingley's, New Road, with seven of her eight children: George a cowman, Ellen who was employed on a farm, Charles, Ernest, Henry (8), Annie (5) and Herbert (1). The eldest son, John, a horseman on a farm, was living in Lound, in the household of Frederick Brodsworth, a farmer, and his wife. Sarah died in 1909 (J/F/M East Retford) and the family was dispersed. John Henry married Emily Tunnard (b. 17 February 1883) in 1907. In 1911 John, a wagoner on a farm, and his wife and daughter Alice Elizabeth (2) were living in Mattersey, Nottinghamshire. Also in the household were his two younger brothers, Harry, a farm horseman, and Herbert, and a boarder, Harry Boddy, who was also a horseman. George, a railway platelayer, was a lodger at the Railway Gatehouse, Cromwell, Nottinghamshire, in the household of George Godfrey, a railway signalman, and his wife. Ellen had married Tom Rabbitt, a carter, in 1907 and they were living on Station Lane, New Whittington, Derbyshire, with their two children George (2) and Ethel (1). Charles was a railway platelayer and living on Cobwell Road, Retford, a boarder in the household of Thomas Hall, a railway porter, and his wife. Ernest had joined the army and was serving at Crownhill, Egg Buckland, Devon, with the 2nd Bn Sherwood Foresters (11477 Private). Annie (Lizzie) was living in Sutton, employed as a one of two housemaids by Sarah Hunt (84) who also employed a cook and a parlourmaid. When Charles enlisted in 1914 he named John, George and Ellen as his next of kin. John completed a form for the army in May 1919 listing Charles' surviving blood relatives: Brothers: John Henry, 4 Retford Road Worksop; George (33), Station Road Drighlington Bradford; Ernest (28), 8 Close Road Dalby; Harry (26), 4 Retford Road Worksop; Herbert (20) 4 Retford Road; Worksop. Sisters: Ellen Rabbitt (31), 37 Langley Street Worksop; Elizabeth (23) 37 Langley Street Worksop. George attested in November 1915 and was transferred the same month to the Army Reserve. He was then living in Drighlington, Bradford, and working as a railway signalman. He was mobilized in June 1918 and posted to the Royal Engineers (350158) then demobilized in June 1919. Ernest was serving with the Sherwood Foresters in India immediately before the war. The battalion was posted to France where he served from 4 November 1914 (L/Cpl). He qualified for the 1914/15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. Henry (Harry), a platelayer (Great Central Railway), served with the 112th Railway Company Royal Engineers (55512 Sapper), joining in November 1914 and serving in France from 15 February 1915 to 6 January 1919. He was demobilized in February 1919. Herbert was still working on a farm when he joined the Royal Navy at HMS Ganges on 25 June 1915 (Boy 2nd Class) and enlisted on a 12 year engagement on 29 June 1917; his eighteenth birthday (SS125435). He served in HMS Conqueror from 27 January 1916-13 January 1918 and was present at the Battle of Jutland (31 May 1916). He was still serving in June 1919.