1914 Trio & Memorial Plaque Lt F Charleston 2 Lancashire Fus DOW 7/7/1915

1914 Star named 2 LIEUT F CHARLESTON LAN FUS, British War & Victory Medals named LIEUT F CHARLESTON & Memorial Plaque named FREDERICK CHARLESTON.

Frederick Charleston only son of Thomas William & Susan Jane Charleston, nephew of Hon D M Charleston MP in Australian Parliament born in Calpham 28th Nov 1889. Educated at Regent St Poly School of Engineering 1908-1910. He was a good sportsman and shot winning several cups.

He was in the OTC Jan 1909 and 1st July 1911 gained a commission in the Lancashire Fusiliers (SR). Attached to Manchesters, The Queens and Liverpools. In 1913 he went to India as Assistant Superintendent on a Plantation in Bangalore and stayed in Reserves with Loyals.

When WW1 started he returned to UK and was attached for service landing in France on 24th Oct 1914 with the 2nd Lancashire Fusiliers. He would have been involved in the Battle of Armentières and Second Battle of Ypres. In May 1915 promoted to Lt. During Second Battle of Ypres he was gassed and sent to hospital for two weeks but returned in last week of May 1915.

The battalion had taken over from the Rifle Brigade on 6th July 1919 at Pilkem, Ypres and the three next days entry says it all – owing to the severe fighting over the last three days there is no narrative – it then lists 7 officers killed, 10 officers wounded including Frederick, other ranks killed 79 and 201 wounded and 19 missing. The battalion was withdrawn on the 9th but was decimated.

Frederick died of wounds on the 7th July 1915 in No12 Field Ambulance Dressing Station and was buried at Farm Olivier, Elverdinghe. According to another officer, Frederick was in charge of a machine gun section and stood to it until it was put out of action a shell. There is a memorial to Frederick in Holy Spirit Church, Clapham Common.