Brenda McMahon has submitted the following:-
Charles was born at Tursdale in 1890. He was the son of William and Mary Jane (nee Brown) who had married in 1887. The marriage was registered at Durham. They went on to have 4 children but only two survived childhood - Charles and Annie.
The 1891 census shows his siblings at that time were Jane A., John William and Charles who was only aged 10 months. The family was living at accommodation at Tursdale Colliery where his father was a coal miner.
By 1901 a young daughter, Annie, had arrived Father, William, was still working at the pit but was now promoted to deputy overman (below ground). The family were still living at colliery premises.
In 1911 father was now full overman. Charles is also a coal miner (engine plane) whilst daughter Annie is now aged 18 years but no occupation shown.
When Charles was aged 24 he attested for the army at Bishop Auckland on November 9th 1914. He then joined up following day at Hedon. He was posted to the 3rd East Yorkshire Regiment on November 13th 1914. His details show him to be 5’7” tall and weighing 141lbs. He had a fresh complexion, blue/grey eyes and brown hair. His faith was Church of England.
Charlese was in trouble for overstaying his pass. The first occasion happened when he was stationed at Hull. On December 27th 1914 overstayed his pass from 12.00 midnight until 8.45pm the following day (20 hours 45 minutes). He was given 3 days confined to barracks. Then on March 1st 1915 he once again overstayed his pass from 11.45 pm until 7pm on 4th inst. (2 days 19 hours 15 minutes), punishment this time was 5 days confined to barracks.
After training in barracks for several months he embarked for foreign service on April 1st 1915.
On April 25th, on active service, he was in trouble for being out of bounds at 7.10pm, again confined to barracks. However around this time Charles was wounded in action in the field. He received a gunshot wound to the left leg. At first he was treated by Field Ambulance, then sent to no. 3 Casualty Clearing Station at Poperinghe then a few days later (April 26th 1915) to the 18th General Hospital at Etaples. By May 1st 1915 he was transferred again to 5 General Hospital Rouen where he stayed until discharge May 8th 1915. Then he was sent to 28 Base Depot. He rejoined his battalion about May 13th 1915.
Unfortunately, Charles was wounded once again October 2nd 1915 with a gunshot wound to the hand. He was treated at 9 C.C.S. before being transferred to 2 General Hospital at Havre. By 5th October 1915 he was sent home to England. On December 27th 1915 he overstayed his furlough from tattoo until 4.00pm on December 28th (18 hours) resulting in 2 days barrack confinement. Then yet again was in trouble on March 2nd 1916. He embarked that day for France and joined 7th Battalion on March 10th 1916.
On July 21st 1916 he was appointed unpaid lance corporal however soon afterwards he was reported missing. He is believed to have been killed in action on or about August 11th 1916 when his battalion was fighting in the Hebuterne sector.
It is noted on his records that he had a half-sister Jane Ann Nicholson aged 45 years living at Port Clarence.
Medals :- 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal
Charles Frederick Liddle is remembered at Cornforth on C115.01 and and at Tursdale on T62.02
