Brenda McMahon has submitted the following:-
Charles was the son of Thomas Henry and his Irish mother, Mary.
Charles Henry Hay was born in 1896 and after 1901 lived in Middridge with his grandfather Charles Hay (who was a hewer in Charles Pit) and his grandmother Ann. Also in the household were his sister Alice, who was 8 years old and his great-grandmother Elizabeth (aged 85).
His grandfather Charles was killed in an accident at Middridge Colliery on March 23rd 1902. The report shown on the website for Durham Mining Museum reports:-
When in the act of kirving some top coal fell and hit him on the head, forcing it between his legs, he threw himself back and must have fallen on a piece of coal as his spine was fractured.
In 1911 father Thomas and Mary are living at Leeholm Bishop Auckland with Tomas born 1900 and Anne born 1904, however the census records state they had been married twenty two years and had five children, four of whom are still alive. Charles continued to live with his grandmother at Middridge.
Charles Hay enlisted at Bishop Auckland and joined the 6th Battalion of the Durham Light Infantry as a Private at the same time as George Farnaby (3344) and had the consecutive service number of 3345.
Following training Charles embarked for France June 27th 1915. He was aged 20 when he was killed at the Somme on the 18th September 1916, attacking a German trench (Starfish trench) which it was mistakenly thought was being evacuated. This attack was made by the 6th Battalion on the left and the 9th on the right, each providing 100 men. Some of the party returned to their line during the day and others at night. All who had been near the enemy trench reported it to be strongly held. Charles is buried in the Millencourt Communal Cemetery Extension. Charles died of wounds.
An inscription was added to his headstone which reads- A son so true A grandson kind beautiful memory left behind.
Medals: 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
His friend George Farnaby was killed in the same campaign on October 1st 1916.
His grandmother Ann received a dependent's pension although as his next of kin his father received his effects.
Charles Henry Hay is remembered at Middridge on M51.01
He is also remembered in The DLI Book of Remembrance page
